| Welcome to SAFE SHEDS, Inc. toll free 1-888-556-1531 Alma, IL 62807 | |
| HIGHEST QUALITY PRECAST CONCRETE ABOVE GROUND HURRICANE AND TORNADO SHELTERS | |
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Design testing
Safe Sheds, Inc. began operations in 2002 after the owners saw the devastation that resulted from a tornado touching down in a nearby town. The owners decided that there should be a safe and affordable product available to protect homeowners during severe weather, especially people living in mobile homes. The company president researched the requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Safe rooms and personal storm shelters and worked up a design that meets or exceeds the requirements of FEMA Publication 320 on Safe Rooms and personal storm shelters. The design has also undergone independent third party evaluation for the National Storm Shelter Association by the McDonald-Mehta Engineering firm of Lubbock Texas, who specialize in wind engineering issues. The McDonald-Mehta Engineers have also developed the Enhanced Fujita scale for determining the strength of tornadoes. Their evaluation covered the topics of access, ventilation, lighting, environmental and fire safety requirements, durability of shelter materials, stability, strength and serviceability and the connectivity and anchorage of roof, walls and foundations. The evaluation concluded, "The Safe Shed appears to indeed be safe. It is a very good design concept and has been peer-reviewed by at least three registered engineers, including the writer. It meets all applicable criteria of the applicable standards." The testing of the shed design includes its ability to withstand wind speeds of 250 mph without tipping over or sliding. Anchoring the unit to the ground assists in its ability to resist sliding from its original placement in extreme wind conditions such as tornadoes and hurricanes. The entry door design has also been tested for debris impact at the Texas Tech University’s Wind Science and Engineering Dept. The actual testing of the door involves firing 15 pound 2" x 4" projectiles at speeds of 100 mph, simulating the effects of a 250 mph wind generated by a tornado. The projectiles are targeted at specific points on the door to test it’s resistance and survivability under the pressures of tornado and hurricane wind forces. Our test door shows a few dents but passed with flying colors. Click here to view the DEBRIS IMPACT TESTING |
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Texas Tech University Wind Science & Research Center's wind cannon used to test shelter door for debris impact
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Safe Shed door prepared for second of three impacts of 15 pound board hurled at 100 mph to test for structural integrity. This testing was part of the requirement for National Storm Shelter Association producer certifications. |
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