ICC 500

Abstract

This standard applies to design, construction, installation, and inspection of storm shelters constructed as separate detached buildings or constructed as safe rooms within buildings for the purpose of providing safe refuge from storms that produce high winds, such as tornadoes and hurricanes. Shelters designed and constructed to this standard shall be designated to be hurricane shelters, tornado shelters or combined hurricane and tornado shelters. <br><strong>Purpose</strong>. The purpose of this standard is to establish minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare relative to the design, construction and installation of storm shelters constructed for protection from high winds associated with tornadoes and hurricanes. This standard is intended for adoption by government agencies and organizations for use in conjunction with model codes to achieve uniformity in the technical design and construction of storm shelters.