Above ground tornado shelter

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A guy called me about building a tornado shelter for six people.   I only thought they were in ground.  I found a couple while googling; however, just wondered if any you guys had built one or seen one.  Again this is an above ground shelter thats anchored on the concrete slab.  This request kinda threw me a curve  weld it like you own it
Reply:I've seen them but never built one. I would imagine more research is in store as tornado winds can reach ridiculous speeds. The anchors don't hold - bye bye family. Either that or they get seriously injured rolling around inside a steel container. Proceed with caution and good luck. Post pics when done. John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Yeah if I build it I'll post pics. weld it like you own it
Reply:Don't forget your "free" liability waiver with each purchase !Not a beginner, not a pro !
Reply:Double paned 1" steel windows.ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!
Reply:Yeah "free waiver"  thats great   and windows  yeah thats good too.        So ...like I said this one is not your normal request,  but hey I'll probably take a looksee at one up close..  before making a commitment We'll see what happens..  I like different projects. weld it like you own it
Reply:I just moved to oklahoma, and the house im bought does not have a shelter. I have been looking into them, and I believe that there are certain regulations they are supposed to meet. I believe you can get info through FEMA. For mine, ill probably buy a junk van or car, Weld sheet metal over the windows, cut a door on the roof, and stick it in a whole in the ground.Miller Syncrowave 200Hobart Handler 140Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38E-Z Tube BenderPlasma Cam DHC2
Reply:Would be an interesting learning project. Someone local should be able to pump out some wind loading calcs real easy and quick. Just as a guess I'd say that anchoring is the more difficult task.
Reply:Where are you in Tennessee?  After the Hendersonville tornadoes I saw a story on the local news about a guy who builds them.  He is around Nashville.  Sorry I don't remember anymore. I would imagine they would still have that information. His had no windows and was made of .25 in steel. Did you notice the link at the bottom of this page?  http://www.usstormshelters.com/
Reply:reinforced concrete bunker ftw
Reply:if your a welder not a grinder, this should be no problem. a nice 6" pre-stressed slab. i would use 3/8 plate. what you need to worry about is sometype of air ventilation. the suction is tremendous, and you need a way to ensure airflow but not let the suction start pulling body's. we had a couple of above ground shelters when i was in the army, these things were built like bomb shelters, on the roof they had 2 air pipes that basically ell'd to a downspout. i believe they had a nice thick angle welded to the bottom red-headed to the concrete. i wasn't concerned with welding back then so i didn't pay attention to them."Retreat hell, were just fighting in the other direction"Miller Trailblazer 302, Extreme 12 VS, Dimension 400, Spectrum 375, HF 251D-1, Milermatic 251 w/ spoolgun  Hypertherm 1000Lincoln sp 1702000 F-450 to haul it
Reply:Originally Posted by Qucifer For mine, ill probably buy a junk van or car, Weld sheet metal over the windows, cut a door on the roof, and stick it in a whole in the ground.
Reply:The buried van would be shelter for my wife and I, the FEMA regualtion tornado bunker would be for my welding equipment. J/K. I believe the regualtions are for companies who sell them. As for us regular joes, whatever it takes to survive. For some reason the matress in the bathtub just doesnt cut it for me.Miller Syncrowave 200Hobart Handler 140Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38E-Z Tube BenderPlasma Cam DHC2
Reply:Anchor a 20' shipping container.  Just need to make it so you can seal the door from inside.  You can bury the thing too.
Reply:Originally Posted by tapwelderWhere are you in Tennessee?  After the Hendersonville tornadoes I saw a story on the local news about a guy who builds them.  He is around Nashville.  Sorry I don't remember anymore. I would imagine they would still have that information. His had no windows and was made of .25 in steel. Did you notice the link at the bottom of this page?  http://www.usstormshelters.com/
Reply:I just did a google search for "above ground tornado shelter" and got a lot of hits with some interesting info.Warning: I have been wrong before!New small workshop, small MIG, oxyacetylene set with a DHC-2000 that I'm learning to use and really like. Life is good!Typos are there for those that look for them. I try to do something for everybody.