Page 59 - spaces4learning, Fall 2023

mary ventilation system.
• Budget for it: Storm shelters can be expensive to construct -
PHOTO COURTESY OF WOLD ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS
and/or openings. Depending on location and jurisdiction, the code may require that schools build a storm shelter until they have met the occupancy requirements. For example, in Minnesota, let’s say a storm shelter is required to be 4,000 square feet to house all oc- cupants of a facility. If the planned addition is 2,000 square feet, the code does not require the school to build a larger addition. However, the code does require that the first addition of 2,000 square feet and the next future addition (up to an- other 2,000 square feet) will need
to be a storm shelter.
Does a storm shelter need to look like a bunker?
Fortunately, there are lots of ways to design storm shelters that are at- tractive and comfortable to occupy. Many products on the market can aid in this effort, too. Storm-rated windows are a great strategy to continue to allow natural light into spaces while being protected.
Collaborating with a design partner that has significant storm shelter experience is critical for success. The end result will be a safe, cost-effective, functional and inviting space that doesn't look or feel like a “shelter.” An ultimately successful storm shelter will be hard to identify by the general public as a shelter but extremely safe for those occupying the space.
Ben Beery, AIA, is an associate at Wold Architects and Engineers and can be reached at bbeery@woldae.com.
they may raise the cost of the space by up to 50 percent! Prices rise due to increased structural requirements to resist wind loads, redundant building sys- tems, protected openings, nec- essary third-party reviews and special inspections. Budgeting for these spaces is a top priority to ensure the space meets all re- quirements and serves its func- tion in the best possible way.
While these are some of the primary requirements to consid- er, it's important to review all of the ICC 500 standards and un- derstand any modifications by the district’s jurisdiction.
Would an existing building that’s built with concrete/masonry satisfy the storm shelter require- ments?
It is extremely unlikely that
an existing building could be cer-
tified as a storm shelter. Typical
building codes do not require buildings to be designed to resist 250 mph winds and the associated uplift potential, as well as protection from flying debris that is often experienced during a tornado event. In addition, most existing buildings do not have the required redundant utilities. Although the construction of an existing building may look robust enough to be a storm shel- ter, it will not meet the requirements of the code.
This can be challenging if districts are planning a smaller ad- dition to an existing building in which they want a lot of glazing
IT IS EXTREMELY UNLIKELY THAT AN EXISTING BUILDING COULD BE CERTIFIED AS A STORM SHELTER. TYPICAL BUILDING CODES DO NOT REQUIRE BUILDINGS TO BE DESIGNED TO RESIST 250 MPH WINDS AND THE ASSOCIATED UPLIFT POTENTIAL, AS WELL AS PROTECTION FROM FLYING DEBRIS THAT IS OFTEN EXPERIENCED DURING A TORNADO EVENT. IN ADDITION, MOST EXISTING BUILDINGS DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED REDUNDANT UTILITIES.
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