Storm Shelter FAQs

Does the shelter meet HOA requirements?

Our Underground Garage shelters and Safe Rooms are not viewable for the world to see, so they should not be a problem. If you choose a unit, you may need to get approval from the HOA.

Should I register my Shelter with Emergency Responders?

Yes, we recommend registering with both the police and fire departments. We also recommend the longitude and latitude coordinates and writing them INSIDE your unit once it has been installed. In the event of a storm, there may not be street signs to guide people to you.

What items should be stored in my shelter?

Please watch this video.
What should go inside the shelter?

Can I take a pet?

Yes, you can take your pet. We do recommend training them to go down into the shelter. It is best if their first experience going into the shelter is not during a storm. Animals pick up on our anxiety, and they may resist.

What maintenance is required?

You should check your shelter monthly to be sure all components are in good working order. We recommend spraying peppermint oil in the unit as insects do not like the smell and will avoid the area. If you choose to paint, please be sure to use a product designed for metal applications.

Are RemainSafe’s tornado shelters fire resistant?

No. RemainSafe shelters are not designed for fire protection; they are designed primarily against storms. If you want to use it as a safe, we suggest buying a small fire-resistant safe and putting it inside the safe room, in that way all your documents, money and important files will be safe during a fire.

Why should I consider an underground shelter?

The shelter is installed inside a garage/carport, and you do not have to get out in the storm to access the shelter. More people are killed by lightning each year by going outside in a storm to get into a shelter than by the actual tornado.

Where can these models be installed?

These shelters must be installed under a roof, typically inside a garage, carport, shed, barn, etc. They can be installed in existing homes and in new construction. However, when properly installed, the shelter is raised between ¾" to 1 ½" above finish concrete grade to divert groundwater away from the shelter lid.

What sizes are available for the underground shelters?

Custom sizes are available upon request, but the standard size options are:

• Regular: 3' wide x 6' long x 4.5' deep - accommodates 6 (available upon request)

• Medium: 4' wide x 7' long x 4.5' deep - accommodates 9 (IN STOCK ITEM)

• XL: 5' wide x 8' long x 5' deep - accommodates 13 (available upon request)

The shelters are all the same except for two things:

• • The XL has metal steps that retract against the wall when not in use, allowing for added space inside.

• • The regular and medium have wooden steps, covered with padded carpet that can be removed when not in use, allowing for added space.

The regular and medium are both 4.5' deep, whereas the XL is 5' deep. The capacity is determined by the FEMA formula of 3 sq. ft. of shelter space per person.

How do you install the shelters?

Our process is the most in-depth and safest in the industry. We completely fill the area around the shelter with concrete. We never use fillers (rock or gravel) to create uneven pressure points on the unit, which can cause the units to have stress on the welds. Failure to install to our specification will result in voiding the warranty.

How long will it take to install?

Our underground garage shelters install in one day, from start to completion.

Can I install the shelter myself?

Will this model take up usable space in my home or garage?

The shelter takes up no usable space from your house or garage. It sits directly under the car, and the only space required to install it is the space it would take to park a car. The shelter is typically installed just inside the entrance to the garage/carport. This location is by design.

By having the shelter just inside the garage door, with the lids on the end of the shelter nearest the garage door, rolling inward, a typical vehicle in a typical garage would never have to be moved to access the shelter.

Can I park my vehicle over the underground storm shelter?

Yes. The underground storm shelters are designed to be straddled over with your vehicle. You cannot drive or leave a car directly on top of the shelter. This practice will damage the lids (doors) of your storm shelter.

Does condensation occur in underground tornado shelters?

Depending on the temperature and humidity, condensation can occur in all underground shelters.

How do you treat condensation in an underground shelter?

Condensation is treated by moving air through the unit and/or by installing a dehumidifier or moisture remediation kit.

Will my shelter leak in a rainstorm?

Our underground garage shelters have an excellent record against leakage. When installed, the lip of the shelter is raised about 2 inches above the garage floor. The concrete is beveled to push any water away from the shelter.

During fabrication, every welded seam in the shelter is tested with a 2-part dye process. This process reveals any pinholes or cracks from a faulty weld. If the dye shows any problems, they can be addressed before leaving our fabrication plant.

When the welds are proven to be solid and consistent, the exterior coating is applied to the shelter. This is a very high-tech, two-part blend of epoxy and tar. It is the best coating for metal currently available and is the exact same blend that the Army Corps of Engineers requires that submerged bridges and oil wells be covered with. This is an excellent and proven water barrier and it prevents water penetration and corrosion.

I've heard underground shelters are dangerous. Is this true?

No. This style/model of shelter is a trusted safe option and this is proven by extensive testing and actual severe storm results. Shelters in the garage/carport floor have been used in the Midwest for decades.

There are no records on file of any injuries, much less a fatality, in a properly built shelter, installed correctly.

As with all our products, this style of shelter has been tested to meet or exceed FEMA-321 and ICC-500 criteria. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), which is managed by the national government, would not approve any style, model, or design that had the slightest potential for failing to protect the occupants.

When installed properly, as our guidelines require, the shelter is sitting above the concrete slab. This prevents any water that might enter your garage/carport from cleaning your garage, your vehicle, rainwater, etc., from running into the shelter. This slight elevation diverts water away from the shelter rather than allowing it to run inside it

Are the shelter walls strong enough?

Yes. The shelter frames are constructed from steel square tubing and 11-gauge metal walls and ¼" steel plate lids. Some companies use a thinner 12-gauge metal. The difference might not sound like much, but the 11 gauge walls do not flex and give nearly as much as the 12 gauge walls when pouring concrete around them.

To further strengthen our shelter walls to prevent flexing, walls are fabricated with steel-angle iron stiffeners on the outside of each long wall. Other than to stiffen the sides and prevent flexing, the exterior, horizontal angle iron also serves as additional concrete anchors when encased in concrete during the installation. We use a ¼" steel plate for the lids for added safety and strength.

Has this model been tested?

Yes. This has been tested at Texas Tech University to meet or exceed FEMA 360/361 and ICC-500 criteria.

If I store my car above the shelter, could it fall through the lid?

No. All sizes of the shelter have a 3' lid. This allows the lid to easily stay under the car without hitting the lid when pulling in and out. Our lids are ¼" steel plates. The lids will withstand the weight of a vehicle tire. Driving on the lids continually could cause them to warp, and not roll properly if driven on constantly. However, the vehicle will not fall into the shelter.

What is the difference between a one-piece or two-piece lid?

Some companies have a one-piece (hinge) lid. A hinged lid requires free and clear space outside of the shelter area for the lid to open. It could also be a problem if something heavy were to fall over it.

With our two-piece (sliding door) lid, the lid slides back over itself, making it easy to leave the shelter. Also with the two-piece lid, each part of the lid can be opened from inside the shelter and pushed off the shelter if needed. We also provide a come-along hitch if you don’t have the strength to manually slide the lid.

Our locking system is also simple, smart, and practical.

While some companies use locks, pushbuttons, spring-operated hinges, etc., we simply opted to use two, heavy-duty, solid steel, slide bolts, which can be operated from both inside and outside the shelter.

Our testing and studies have proven to us that keyed locking mechanisms and push buttons with springs do not perform well in simulated storm conditions. By simply using two, heavy-duty, solid steel slide bolts and solid steel tubing for the housing, there are no fragile parts or components to our locks on the lids that could possibly be damaged upon impact, altering their function.

What is the material that the benches inside the shelter are made from?

All of our underground garage shelters have a bench going down each side. Our benches are wood, covered with padded carpet. Metal benches could be dangerous during a lightning storm.

Can the benches be moved within the shelter?

Yes. The benches can be totally removed or can slide from one side to the other as needed, which shelters with metal benches would not allow due to the benches being fixed to the shelter.

Is there light within the shelter?

Yes. The lights are added for your convenience and run on batteries.

Is there airflow within the shelter?

Yes. The lid has passive airflow around all edges of it. Additionally, we have included a battery-run fan in all shelters. The fan is not required for you to breathe but is for your comfort.

What if during the storm a heavy object is blown across the exits, blocking my ability to leave the shelter?

Your shelter includes a hook on the back wall and a come-along. This is simply an extra feature and will likely never be used or needed. This is a hand winch, which attaches to the back wall of the shelter and to the front lid. Should it be used, it would assist in pulling the front door open. With the design of our shelter doors, which roll and are inset a little from the shelter frame, it is virtually impossible to be unable to slide the lid open, even with debris on top of it.

How do you finish the shelter's lid and walls?

The lids and interior of our underground garage shelters have a two-part finish process. Most companies simply spray an industrial grey primer on the walls of their shelters, but we take it a step further and apply a second coat of white enamel paint.

Is there a warranty?

The underground garage shelters come with a 20-year warranty against leakage providing the unit was installed according to our guidelines.

Why should I get an above-ground shelter?

Above ground shelters are perfect for people who want a safe shelter in their homes or businesses and who have physical challenges using stairs.

Additionally, above ground shelters are now becoming the norm due to their safety and ease of use.

How does an above ground safe room keep me safe?

Above ground, safe rooms are solid steel rooms that are attached to a concrete slab. These are installed on concrete slabs that must be a minimum of 4" thick inside the garage . If you are building a new home, we recommend pouring concrete 6” deep where the unit will be installed.

If the shelter is to be placed outside it will require an 18” deep pad with a one-foot clearance around the shelter. The venting will also need to be on the sides of the unit instead of the top of the unit.

It is constructed totally with a ¼" steel plate with a three-point locking system that includes an operating door handle and two heavy-duty slide locks. It has horizontal and vertical structure bracing of 3" x 1 ½" formed steel channel.

What sizes are available for the above ground safe room?

• 4' wide x 6' long x 6' tall: Accommodates up to 8 adults In Stock Item $6,540.00

• 6' wide x 8' long x 6' tall: Accommodates up to 16 adults (Available upon request) $7,500.00  **excluding taxes and delivery

The capacity is based on FEMA guidelines of 3 sq. ft. of shelter space per person for residential use. All safe rooms have a standard height of 6' tall.

How are these models installed?

The installation is performed by drilling into the existing concrete slab and anchoring the safe room to the slab with Hilti bolts.

Where can these models be installed?

Safe rooms can be installed inside or outside.

If the shelter is to be placed outside it will require an 18” deep pad with a one-foot clearance around the shelter. The venting will also need to be on the sides of the unit instead of the top of the unit.

Have these models been tested?

Yes. Our safe rooms go through the most rigorous testing at Texas Tech University to simulate F-5 tornado conditions. Our shelters meet or exceed FEMA 321/360 and ICC-500 criteria.

Will I get locked in if debris blows in front of the door?

No. Our safe rooms are standard with doors that open into the unit and are 30" wide. This was by design to make sure that debris outside the shelter will not prevent the door from opening.

Our New Day Shelter has the ability to open the door by lifting it off its hinge in the event of it being blocked by debris.

How do you finish the shelter's lid and walls?

All safe rooms are primed and painted inside and out with white enamel paint. The light-colored paint helps brighten the unit during use.

What comes inside the shelter?

The standard safe rooms will come with a metal bench along with the interior of the short wall and a lock adaptor for securing valuables.

Should I get an above ground multi-person community shelter?

This option is perfect for any business or organization who will want to provide tornado shelter and safety. Some great examples of past installations are schools, churches, and civic groups.

How will the above ground community shelter keep me safe?

These shelters are constructed totally with ¼" steel plate. Bottom anchor plate and top/side wall structure are built from supports of 3" x 3" x 3/8" steel angle iron, with 3" x 3" x ¼" steel tubing horizontally installed on each side of the shelter.

Side walls are 4' tall with a rounded ceiling, making the center height 8' tall. The retaining walls are 4' tapered on each side of each end wall. Doors have a three-point locking system, keyed dead bolt and two heavy duty slide bolt locks.

What sizes are available for the exterior steel flush shelter?

Custom sizes and designs are available on request to match your spatial needs, but the standard size options are:

• 10' wide x 24' long x 8' tall
• 10' wide x 32' long x 8' tall
• 10' wide x 40' long x 8' tall
• 10' wide x 48' long x 8' tall (shipped in two sections and fabricated in the field)
• 10' wide x 56' long x 8' tall (shipped in two sections and fabricated in the field)

The capacity is based on FEMA guidelines of 3 sq. ft. of shelter space per person from for residential use. All safe rooms have a standard height of 6' tall.

Where can this shelter be installed?

This model is typically installed outside a building, acting as an on-site storm protection. For example, outside classrooms, exits at businesses, or clubhouses within residential developments. They are installed using a two-part epoxy and embedded steel install method on a FEMA compliant pad.

Is it easy to get in and out of?

Our above ground community shelters are easy to access. They include two 36" wide out-swinging doors that are handicap accessible.

Has the shelter been tested?

In addition to our leak-proof tests, our models have been tested at Texas Tech University to met or exceed FEMA 321/360 and ICC-500 criteria.

Is there seating inside the shelter?

Each standard above ground community shelter comes with perimeter and center row seating.

Is there light inside the shelter?

Inside the standard above ground community shelter, there is an overhead strip fluorescent lighting. There are also emergency exit lights and light switches inside each door. There is a factory installed blank electrical panel for electrical fixtures/lights.

What is the finish of the interior and exterior of the shelter?

Both the exterior and interior is finished with white enamel paint. Most companies spray a simple industrial grey primer, but we take it a step further and apply a second coat of white enamel paint. Not only does it look much better and brightens up the interior, it is much easier to clean.