Quality Control in the Storm Shelter Industry

Presented to: REGION VI GRANT MANAGERS MEETING

Denton, TexasMay 17, 2007

Presented by:

Ernst W. Kiesling, P.E., Ph.D.

Executive Director, NSSA

Experiencing Extreme Winds

• TORNADOES

strike terror wherever they occur

Experiencing Extreme Winds

• Severe Weather Watches and Warnings

Lead to Anxiety

• Each year, over three billion person-hours are spent under severe weather watches

REPORTED TORNADOES PER YEAR

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1950

1954

1958

1962

1966

1970

1974

1978

1982

1986

1990

1994

Tornadoes

Genesis of Wind Engineering Research

• Began with Lubbock Tornado in 1970

• 26 killed

• 1/3 of city damaged

• Studied effects of 140 major storms since 1970

Some debris gets inside!

Oklahoma City

Observations, Conclusions

Small interior room often remains standing even when house is

completely destroyed

Spencer, SD

Inspiration of the Shelter Concept

• Design room or module to protect: – occupants– critical functions– critical contents

• Improve building envelope

to reduce damage to

building and contents

In-Residence Shelter Concept1974

Shelter Benefits

• Shelters can be constructed to:– Save Lives

– Reduce anxiety and suffering

– Produce economic benefits

Recent Developments in Utilization

• 1997, Jarrell, Texas tornado

• Dateline NBC program; Other media coverage

• 1998, FEMA publication #320

FEMA 320

Prescriptive Designs for

Residential Shelters

Recent Developments in Utilization

1999

• Above-ground shelter survived F-5 in Oklahoma

• FEMA provided shelter incentives under HMGP

Bartlett Shelter, Oklahoma

Oklahoma Grant Program, 1999

• Incentive program in Oklahoma served as catalyst for higher level of activity in shelter construction.

• Lack of standards and quality control processes in this new, rapidly emerging industry illuminated many quality issues.

National Storm Shelter Association

Guide to

Quality Assurance

Fostering Quality in the Storm Shelter Industry

www.NSSA.cc

Recent Developments in Utilization

• Manufacturers created new products and expanded markets

• Founded the National Storm Shelter Association

An Industry Association is Born!

Membership grades:

member, associate, professional, allied

Functions

Standards - NSSA Industry Standard - ICC/NSSA Standard by 2007

Education

Monitor Research

Quality Verification

NSSA Standard

For Design & Construction of Storm Shelters

Description of NSSA

• NSSA in a not-for-profit trade association

• Chartered in Texas as an IRS 501(c) 6

• Self-policing for the benefit of the public and a strong, credible industry

Membership Grades

MEMBER – Shelter Producers

Professional – Designers, Inspectors

Associate – Suppliers

Corporate Sponsor

Individual Sponsor

Shelter Quality Verification Process

1. MEMBER pledge to produce only those shelters that meet or exceed the Standard

2. Abide by NSSA Bylaws and Code of Ethics3. Obtain third-party approval of design or variations from

FEMA 3204. Test shelter or FEMA 320 variations for debris impact

resistance. Use tested door (www.wind.ttu.edu) .5. Affix Seal and file Certificate of Installation with NSSA

for each shelter installed

Shelter Quality Verification Process

1. MEMBER Pledge to produce only those shelters that meet or exceed the Standard

2. Abide by NSSA Bylaws and Code of Ethics

3. Build from FEMA 320 except for door; Obtain third-party compliance check for variations

4. Alternative: Install manufactured shelter from NSSA MEMER

5. Affix Seal and file Certificate of Installation with NSSA for each shelter installed

Home Builders

Important Considerations In Shelter Construction -- Doors

• Lighter doors must be modified with a supplemental steel plate

Important Considerations In Door Selection

• At least one door meeting FEMA 320 specifications has failed to meet the debris impact test.

Important• Use tested door (www.wind.ttu.edu) or have

your door tested.

Important Considerations In Storm Shelter Quality

There are many elements of quality to lead to good performance. Major considerations are:

• Structural integrity to withstand external forces– Wind-induced pressures for all shelters– Hydrostatic pressures for underground shelters– Anchorage for above-ground shelters– Anchorage or ballast for underground shelters

• Debris impact resistance for all exposed surfaces• Includes doors for all shelters

• Access and egress• Ventilation See brochures for specifics

Shelter Quality Verification Process

1. MEMBER Pledge to produce only those shelters that meet or exceed the Standard

2. Abide by NSSA Bylaws and Code of Ethics

3. Obtain third-party compliance check of design

4. Test shelter for debris impact resistance

5. Affix Seal and file Certificate of Installation with NSSA for each shelter installed

Manufacturers/Fabricators

Shelter Quality Verification Process

1. Shelter design drawings and specifications stating shelter type and design wind speed are deemed to comply with ICC/NSSA Standard by NSSA-Approved Professional Member. NSSA-member contractor affixes seal certifying construction as per drawings and specifications and specifying shelter type and design wind speed.

2. Designs and specifications are developed by NSSA – approved third party architecture/engineering company. Designer affixes professional seal on drawings and specifications. Contractor affixes seal certifying construction as per drawings and specifications and specifying shelter type and design wind speed.

Community Shelters

Benefits of NSSA Membership

- Industry standard delineating quality- Increased credibility, distinction - Standards compliance verification by independent third-

party engineering company - Decreased liability - Peace of mind, knowing you have “done it right”

- Professional listings - “Head start” on inspections

- Qualification for grants

Shelter Producer

Benefits of NSSA Membership

- Guidance to quality-verified products and producers- Checklists of important elements of shelter quality

- Guidance on shelter selection, location- Industry standard that establishes quality criteria

- Increased value with NSSA seal

Consumer

Benefits of NSSA Membership

- Higher comfort level in approving shelters and components

- Storm shelter quality standard

- Quality essentials checklist

- Advice/consulting with experienced professionals

Building Official

Benefits of NSSA Membership

- Industry standard based on FEMA and ASCE publications- Quality criteria defined by Standard, translated by experts

- Quality verification through established processes- Industry leaders available for guidance on mitigation

policies and strategies

Policy/Program Administrator

National Consensus Standard

• An agreement has been signed with the International Code Council to develop a ICC/NSSA National Consensus Standard For Storm Shelters.

• Will be accredited by ANSI and offered to building code jurisdictions.

• Expected January 2008.

Opportunities for NSSA

• Encourage replication of Texas HMGP shelter program in other states

• Encourage widespread utilization of the NSSA storm shelter quality verification process

• Promote NSSA process for quality verification in other segments of the building industry

Other Opportunities for NSSA

• Increase role in quality control of community shelters– Serve as focal point for professional shelter design

community

• Increase information outreach– Formalize/staff information resource center– Increase publications, public service announcements– Develop and maintain attractive, informative web site

Challenges for NSSA

• Develop sustained source of funding to develop opportunities & maintain programs

• Find ways to respond to public service opportunities resulting from extensive visibility and credibility

• Find avenues for greater influence on shelter quality, public policy

Information Sources - TTU

• Texas Tech UniversityWind Engineering Research Center

www.wind.ttu.edu

(TTU) WIND CTR

(888) 946 - 3287

Information Sources

National Storm Shelter Association

www. NSSA.cc 1 (877) 700 - 6772 (NSSA)

For Testing

(806) 742 - 6772 (NSSA)

Thank you for inviting me here and for your support

of quality in the storm shelter industry.