strike terror wherever they occur

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1 Quality Control in the Storm Shelter Industry Presented to: REGION VI GRANT MANAGERS MEETING Denton, Texas May 17, 2007 Presented by: Ernst W. Kiesling, P.E., Ph.D. Executive Director, NSSA

2 Experiencing Extreme Winds TORNADOES strike terror wherever they occur

3 Experiencing Extreme Winds Severe Weather Watches and Warnings Lead to Anxiety Each year, over three billion person-hours are spent under severe weather watches

4 REPORTED TORNA ADOES PER YEAR Tornadoes

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6 Genesis of Wind Engineering Research Began with Lubbock Tornado in killed 1/3 of city damaged Studied effects of 140 major storms since 1970

7 Some debris gets inside!

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11 Oklahoma City

12 Observations, Conclusions Small interior roo om often remains standing even when house is completely ltl destroyed d

13 Spencer, SD

14 Inspiration of the Shelter Concept

15 In-Residence Shelter Concept 1974 Design room or module to protect: occupants critical functions critical contents t Improve building envelope to reduce damage to building and contents

16 Shelter Benefits Shelters can be constructed to: Save Lives Rd Reduce anxiety it and suffering Produce economic benefits

17 Recent Developments in Utilization 1997, Jarrell, Texas tornado Dateline NBC program; Other media coverage 1998, FEMA publication #320

18 FEMA 320 Prescriptive Designs for Residential Shelters

19 Recent Developments in Utilization 1999 Bartlett Shelter, Oklahoma Above-ground shelter survived F-5 in Oklahoma FEMA provided shelter incentives under HMGP

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21 Oklahoma Grant Program, 1999 Incentive program in Oklahoma served as catalyst for higher level of activity in shelter construction. Lack of standards and quality control processes in this new, rapidly emerging industry illuminated many quality issues.

22 National Storm Sh helter Association Guide to Quality Assurance

23 SSA.cc Fostering Qua ality in the Storm Shelter Industry

24 Recent Developments in Utilization Manufacturers created new products and expanded markets An Industry Association is Born! Founded the National Storm Shelter Association Membership pgrades: member, associate, professional, allied

25 Functions Standards - NSSA Industry Standard - ICC/NSSA Standard by 2007 Education NSSA Standard For Design & Construction of Storm Shelters Monitor Research Quality Verification

26 Description of NSSA NSSA in a not-for-profitt trade association Chartered in Texas as an IRS 501(c) 6 Self-policing for the benefit of the public and a strong, credible industry

27 Membership Grades MEMBER Shelter Producers Professional Designers, Inspectors Associate Suppl iers Corporate Sponsor Individual Sponsor

28 Shelter Quality Verification Process 1. MEMBER pledge to produce only those shelters that meet or exceed the Standard 2. Abide by NSSA Bylaws and Code of Ethics 3. Obtain third-party approval of design or variations from FEMA Test shelter or FEMA 320 variations for debris impact resistance. Use tested door ( 5. Affix Seal and file Certificate of Installation with NSSA for each shelter installed

29 Shelter Quality Verification Process Home Builders 1. MEMBER Pledge to produce only those shelters that meet or exceed the Standard d 2. Abide by NSSA Bylaws and Code of Ethics 3. Build from FEMA 320 except for door; Obtain third-party compliance check for variations 4Al 4. Alternative: Install manufactured shelter from NSSA MEMER 5. Affix Seal and file Certificate of Installation with NSSA for each shelter installed

30 Important Conside erations In Shelter Construction -- Doors Lighter doors must be modified d with a supplemental steel plate

31 Important Cons siderations In Door Selection At least one door meeting FEMA 320 specifications has failed to meet the debris impact test. Important Use tested door ( or have your door tested.

32 Important Con nsiderations In Storm Shelter Quality There are many elements of quality to lead to good performance. Major considerations are: Structural integrity to withst tand external forces Wind-induced pressures for all shelters Hydrostatic pressures for underground shelters Anchorage for above-ground shelters Anchorage or ballast for underground shelters Debris impact resistance for all exposed surfaces Includes doors for all shelters Access and egress Ventilation See brochures for specifics ii

33 Shelter Quality Ve erification Process Manufacturer rs/fabricators 1. MEMBER Pledge to produce only those shelters that meet or exceed the Standard 2. Abide by NSSA Bylaws and Code of Ethics 3. Obtain third-party compliance check of design 4. Test shelter for debris imp pact resistance 5. Affix Seal and file Certificate of Installation with NSSA for each shelter installed

34 Shelter Quality Ve erification Process Communi ity Shelters 1. Shelter design drawings and specifications stating shelter type and design wind speed are deemed to comply with ICC/NSSA Standard by NSSA-Approved Professional Member. NSSA-member contractor affixes seal certifying constructionn as per drawings and specifications and specifying i shelter type and ddesign wind speed. 2. Designs and specifications are developed by NSSA approved third party architecture/engineering company. Designer affixes professional seal on drawings and specifications. Contractor affixes seal certifying construction as per drawings and specifications and specifying shelter type and design wind speed.

35 Benefits of NSS SA Membership Shelter Producer - Industry standard delineating quality - Increased credibility, distinction - Standards compliance verification by independent third- party engineering company - Decreased liability - Peace of mind, knowing gyou have done it right - Professional listings - Head start on inspections - Qualification for grants

36 Benefits of NSS SA Membership Consumer - Guidance to quality-verified products and producers - Checklists of important elements of shelter quality - Guidance on shelter selection, location - Industry standard th hat establishes quality criteria - Increased value with NSSA seal

37 Benefits of NSS SA Membership Building Official - Higher comfort level in approving shelters and components - Storm shelter quality standard - Quality essentials ch hecklist - Advice/consulting with experienced professionals

38 Benefits of NSS SA Membership Policy/Program Administrator - Industry standard based on FEMA and ASCE publications - Quality criteria defined by Standard, translated by experts - Quality verification through established processes - Industry leaders av vailable for guidance on mitigation policies and strategies

39 National Consensus Standard An agreement has been signed with the International Code Council to develop a ICC/NSSA National Consensus Standard For Storm Shelters. Will be accredited by ANSI and offered ed to building code jurisdictions. Expected January 2008.

40 Opportunities for NSSA Encourage replication of Texas HMGP shelter program in other states Encourage widespread utilization of the NSSA storm shelter quality verification process Promote NSSA process for quality verification in other segments of the building industry

41 Oth her Opportunities for NSSA Increase role in quality control of community shelters Serve as focal point for professional shelter design community Increase information outreach Formalize/staff information resource center Increase publications, public service announcements Develop and maintain attractive, informative web site

42 Challenges for NSSA Develop sustained source of funding to develop opportunities & maintain n programs Find ways to respond to public service opportunities resulting fr rom extensive visibility ibilit and credibility Find avenues for greaterr influence on shelter quality, public policy

43 Information Sources - TTU Texas Tech University Wind Engineering R esearch Center (TTU) WIND CTR (888)

44 Information Sources National Storm Shelter Association www. NSSA.cc 1 (877) (NSSA) For Testing (806) (NSSA)

45 Thank you for inviting me here and for your support of quality in the storm shelter industry.