Missouri Storm Shelters, Inc. carries the largest selection of
certified storm shelters in the world. A
"certified” storm shelter simply means that the unit has been properly tested
and engineered to withstand an EF-5 tornado and meets all codes and guidelines
set forth by the National Storm Shelter Association, the International Code
Council, and FEMA”S engineering standards. FEMA recognizes the Wind Energy Science
Department at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas as the official testing
center for wind driven air borne objects hurled by tornadic winds and the
damage they cause. The Debris Impact
Test Center at Texas Tech shoots laser guided projectiles from an air cannon at
a speed estimated 50 mph greater than an EF-5 tornado at vulnerable impact
points on shelters and doors. The
purpose is to determine if these impacts will cause the structure to fail or
not.
Once this test has been successful, the engineered drawings are
submitted to designated wind engineer specialists. We use the firm of McDonald-Mehta, whom are
regarded as the most experienced and recognized wind engineers in the world. They are the same wind engineers the National
Weather Service hired to re-vamp the Fugita scale for rating tornado intensity.
( formerly referred to as F-1, F-2,
etc.). Jim McDonald and his partner, Kishor Mehta,
won national recognition for their years spent creating the ENHANCED Fugita
scale (now referred to as EF-1, EF-2, etc). McDonald-Mehta gives us and the National Storm
Shelter Association the results of their evaluation, and again, they must show
that the shelter evaluated will withstand an EF-5 tornado. The shelters must also pass the code
requirements of ICC-500.
After all requirements have been proven, the National Storm Shelter
Association issues Missouri Storm Shelters, Inc., numbered seals which we
provide with each shelter along with a certificate of installation. The shelter and serial # is registered with
the NSSA. All NSSA members must maintain
certain standards and requirements set forth by NSSA, including selling only
storm shelters that are certified as well as complying with any updated
requirements issued by the NSSA.
Nearly all corporations contacting us and all governmental agencies now
require the seal provided by NSSA with their storm shelters purchases. It is really the only quality verification
standard in existence. Some of our newest customers recently (all
requiring the NSSA seal) include Whiteman Air Force Base, Caterpillar, Royal
Canin, and Google (corporate offices).
Eight of our 8’x 12’x 6’4” safe rooms also protect the children of
Greensburg KS, who experienced and EF-5 several years ago. We have also set several storm shelters for
local daycare centers and education facilities.