Our Goal
The 2012 and 2013 tornado seasons were more devastating than usual, prompting a revision of storm shelter design for schools and residential areas. ICC-500 is now the base code to follow, with FEMA-P361 and FEMA-P320 serving as supplementary guidelines.
Property Arts has over 75 years of safe room design knowledge for educational, commercial, professional, and residential applications. Our goal is to provide every client with the best possible design solution to protect staff and students during an emergency.
Our architects have completed Safe Schools 101 training, created by the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and FEMA.
Existing Building Audit
We evaluate existing buildings to help determine the safest places for occupants during an emergency. This service is part of the architectural services offered by Property Arts.
- School-specific reports, including safe refuge site assessments for school buildings
- Assessments of individual school buildings
Design Standards
- ICC 500 / NSSA 2008 (International Code Council and National Storm Shelter Association)
- FEMA-P361 for commercial applications
- FEMA-P320 for residential applications
- Design wind speed for Oklahoma: 250 mph
- Occupancy: 5 square feet per standing or seated occupant, 10 square feet per wheelchair occupant