Building A Concrete Block Storm Shelter

But you can build your own storm shelter on top of your concrete slab foundation that you can use to protect yourself during a storm.

Building a concrete block storm shelter.

These pipes will be the shelter s ventilation system. So what you want to do is building a wall by simply laying concrete blocks which are easy to handle. Concrete storm shelter construction types insulated concrete forms icfs. Then build a sturdy frame to support the shelter.

A storm shelter is a super strong safe room designed to withstand dangerous high winds tornadoes and flying debris. Use some binding agent between the concrete blocks once you have laid the walls inside the hole you dug you need to put wire mesh made of steel in shape of a dome against these walls. The easiest and cheapest way to build your own storm shelter underground is to put it in your existing basement. You ll remain safe even if your house falls apart.

Things you will need precast concrete shelter pieces shovel 1 1 2 yards concrete 12 pieces of 1 2 inch rebar 9 feet long 1 board 2 by 6 inches 12 feet long. Each pipe should extend 3 feet over the roof of the shelter after it has been covered and at least 3 feet from the roof into the shelter. Bolt a 2 inch pvc pipe into each corner of the building with plumbing brackets and concrete screws. Concrete blocks are another quick relatively simple method for building a saferoom.

If you live in tornado alley in the panhandle of texas or are worried about. You can use the existing basement slab floor assuming that it is reinforced and meets fema requirements. Icfs are basically forms for poured concrete walls that stay in place as a permanent. Make sure that the thickness of the walls is 5 inches.