Page 31 - spaces4learning, Spring 2021

FEMA P-361 Safe Room
lenging of these was the missile-impact test, which replicates wind-borne debris hitting the component being tested at speeds of up to 250 mph. Stronger materials and sturdier construction became needed to pass the testing, often at a higher cost. This became challenging in that, while these shelters needed to be designed and constructed to safeguard occupants from a torna- do, one also had to consider that 99.9% of a storm shelter’s life would be used for another purpose, such as a K–12 gymnasium, which is often the chosen space to serve as the shelter.
Storm Shelter Lighting
Daylighting—or illuminating buildings using natural light— is very common in these spaces; however, traditional forms of daylighting, such as windows, struggled to pass the impact test- ing. Skylight manufacturers hadn’t even attempted it. Penetra- tion-protection components like storm doors or shutters could be added to windows to prevent debris from entering the space. But they could also inflate the project’s budget and potentially cause daylighting to be removed from the project altogether. While eliminating forms of daylighting might have helped re- duce budget, it could come at a greater cost to the students.
Studies by groups like Heschong Mahone and the University of Oregon have shown that broad-spectrum daylight, when in- corporated into learning spaces, can help to increase test scores between 20% to 26%; improve cognitive skills, visibility and mood; and even reduce microbial communities associated with indoor dust by 50%. With such great benefits, removing day- light from these spaces was not ideal. So, if windows were too expensive, what other options did schools have for daylighting? Before 2018, there really were none, so the storm shelter often became a windowless space.
Tubular Daylighting Devices (TDDs) are an affordable day- lighting solution that have been able to solve the problem of
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window-less shelters. TDDs harvest daylight at the rooftop, transfer it down a highly reflective tube and distribute it evenly into an interior space through a diffuser at the ceiling—with virtually no maintenance. High-quality TDD applications already led the industry in certifications, having passed rigor- ous product testing such as Federal
Blast Testing, Factory Mutual Testing and the hurricane coastal requirements in Florida and Texas. Specific daylighting models have endured the stringent testing of ICC 500 and are the only top lighting solution to achieve ICC 500 storm shelter compliance without the need for additional penetration protection. Daylight- ing a shelter no longer has to level a school’s budget, and follow- ing the testing and code that so many had worked so hard to put in place means that occupants can be assured that this leading tubular daylighting device could stand up to the forces of nature.
Conclusion
Tornadoes are violent and deadly events that we’re starting to see with more frequency and more intensity. The amazing efforts of people like Dr. Fujita, the members of the forum that developed the Enhanced Fujita scale, meteorologists, the National Storm Shelter Association, engineers, scientists and even storm chasers have helped us better understand how to protect ourselves if we find ourselves in a tornado’s path. Stronger building codes and more rigorous testing have led to the construction of safer shel- ters, and we owe the people who gave their time to implement these requirements a great deal of gratitude.
By requiring adherence to the ICC 500 storm shelter code, governments and organizations can ensure proper testing of components and compliance with these codes during the con- struction of storm shelters. By doing so, they can better prepare for and protect people from tornadic events. And saving lives is ultimately the answer.
Susan Flanagan is the south central regional manager for Solatube commercial daylighting as well as the storm shelter product account manager for Solatube International, INC. Susan is a LEED AP ID+C and Fitwel Ambassador who resides in Dallas, Texas, with her husband, Kevin; daughter, Mimi; and her 2 boxer rescues, Rocky and Maggie.
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