Quality Control in the Storm Shelter Industry

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Quality Control in the Storm Shelter Industry

• Presented to
• REGION VI GRANT MANAGERS MEETING
• Denton, Texas
• May 17, 2007
• Presented by
• Ernst W. Kiesling, P.E., Ph.D.
• Executive Director, NSSA

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Experiencing Extreme Winds

• TORNADOES
• strike terror wherever they occur

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Experiencing Extreme Winds

• Severe Weather Watches and Warnings
• Lead to Anxiety

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

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REPORTED TORNADOES PER YEAR
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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

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Some debris gets inside!
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Oklahoma City
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Observations, Conclusions

• Small interior room often remains standing even
  when house is completely destroyed

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Spencer, SD
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Inspiration of the Shelter Concept
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In-Residence Shelter Concept1974

• Design room or module to protect
• occupants
• critical functions
• critical contents
• Improve building envelope
• to reduce damage to
• building and contents

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Shelter Benefits

• Shelters can be constructed to
• Save Lives
• Reduce anxiety and suffering
• Produce economic benefits

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Recent Developments in Utilization

• 1997, Jarrell, Texas tornado
• Dateline NBC program Other media coverage
• 1998, FEMA publication 320

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FEMA 320 Prescriptive Designs for Residential
Shelters
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Recent Developments in Utilization

• 1999
• Above-ground shelter survived F-5 in Oklahoma
• FEMA provided shelter incentives under HMGP

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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.

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National Storm Shelter Association

• Guide to
• Quality Assurance

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www.NSSA.cc

• Fostering Quality
• in the Storm Shelter Industry

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Recent Developments in Utilization

• Manufacturers created new products and expanded
  markets
• Founded the National Storm Shelter Association

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Functions

• Standards
• - NSSA Industry Standard
• - ICC/NSSA Standard by 2007
• Education
• Monitor Research
• Quality Verification

NSSA Standard
For Design Construction of Storm Shelters
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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

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Membership Grades

• MEMBER Shelter Producers
• Professional Designers, Inspectors
• Associate Suppliers
• Corporate Sponsor
• Individual Sponsor

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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 approval of design or
  variations from FEMA 320
• 4. 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

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Shelter Quality Verification Process
Home Builders

• 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

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Important Considerations In Shelter Construction
-- Doors

• Lighter doors must be modified with a
  supplemental steel plate

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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.

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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

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Shelter Quality Verification Process
Manufacturers/Fabricators

• 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

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Shelter Quality Verification Process
Community Shelters

• 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.
• 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.

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Benefits of NSSA Membership
Shelter Producer

• - 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

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Benefits of NSSA Membership
Consumer

• 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

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Benefits of NSSA Membership
Building Official

• Higher comfort level in approving shelters and
  components
• Storm shelter quality standard
• Quality essentials checklist
• Advice/consulting with experienced professionals

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Benefits of NSSA Membership
Policy/Program Administrator

• 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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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Information Sources - TTU

• Texas Tech University
• Wind Engineering Research Center
• www.wind.ttu.edu
• (TTU) WIND CTR
• (888) 946 - 3287

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Information Sources

• National Storm Shelter Association
• www. NSSA.cc
• 1 (877) 700 - 6772 (NSSA)
• For Testing
• (806) 742 - 6772 (NSSA)

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Thank you for inviting me here and for your
support of quality in the storm shelter industry.