Storm shelter

Abstract

An economical, prefabricated, above ground “storm shelter “or “safe room” for personal protection from hurricanes, tornadoes, and other high wind events. The structure meets all FEMA guidelines for providing resistance to winds in excess of 250 mph and preventing missile penetration through the walls from airborne debris. The shelter can be installed inside of an existing room on concrete slab such as a garage or outside on a concrete slab constructed specifically for the shelter. The storm shelter walls are constructed of steel C-Channel components stacked and bolted in a horizontal configuration. The roof consists of angle iron for supports or rafters, and flat plate for the outer sheathing. The door is made from an assembly of flat steel plate, bar grating, flat bar cross members, hinges, and locking brackets bolted together. The locking mechanism consists of three locking pins attached to a locking bar for single action panic proof locking capability.

1 . A pre-fabricated steel “storm shelter” or “safe room” built of steel C-Channel, configured in a horizontal arrangement, angle iron, and steel plate. Components are designed for assembly and installation on location to include the following: 
 a. Steel C-Channel bolted together at the flange to form the wall sections whereas the web of the C-Channel function as the sheathing of the wall and the flanges of the C-Channel function as studs for the wall. The C-Channel components are arranged in a horizontal configuration stacked vertically, and assembled with ⅝″ bolts    b. Bolting the web of the side wall C-Channel to the web of the end wall C-Channel with anchor brackets; fastening 3″ angle iron to the outside web of the side wall and end wall components to form the corners of the room.    c. Specifically designed C-Channel parts arranged in a vertical configuration where the flange on one side is bolted to the web of the side wall components to construct the front corners of the structure and where the opposing flange constructs the frame of the door.    
   
   
       2 . The “storm shelter” or “safe room” of  claim 1  built with a solid steel frame and steel door with bar grating and specially designed locking mechanism. 
 a. A door constructed of steel plate and bar grating with crossbars, hinges, and locking brackets bolted together.    b. A locking device with three specifically designed dead bolts attached to a locking bar for single action panic proof locking capability. A locking device with dead bolts that insert through the locking brackets and C-Channel frame.    c. Dead bolts or locking pins that have smooth steel on each end and threads in the middle, with one end having a smaller outside diameter than the opposite end.    d. A section of square tubing fastened to the inner side of the door that rotates and is designed in such a manner to hold the locking device in place.    
   
   
       3 . The “safe room” or “storm shelter” of  claim 1  with angle iron roof supports and steel plate bolted to the flange of the top C-Channel of opposing side walls, end wall, and door header to form the roof of the shelter. 
 a. A roof design with angle iron bolted to the flange of the top C-Channel of opposing walls for rafter support and lateral wall support.    b. A roof design with flat steel plate bolted to the top flange of C-channel wall components, the angle iron rafters and door header.