The International Code Council (ICC) develops codes and standards for design and construction with the ultimate goal of life safety.  ICC 500 provides standards for storm shelters that provide refuge from storms producing high winds, such as hurricanes and tornadoes.  These standards were introduced in the International Building Code in 2009 stating that if you are going to build a shelter, you have to build it according to ICC 500.  The 2015 version of the International Building Code gives details as to which kinds of structures are required to have shelters built to the ICC 500.  FEMA P-320 and P-361 are guidelines for building and operating shelters that also reference ICC 500 and review best practice recommendations.

In the recorded presentation below, ASSA ABLOY’s own Jim Bell, Windstorm Coordinator for Door Security Solutions, guides a DHI panel through the changes made in the ICC 500-2014 Shelter Standards focusing on how they affect door openings.  Throughout the presentation Jim sites examples of damages, history of storms, provides definitions of terms, insight on testing, explanation of certificates, and intermittent Q&A’s confirming the need for these standards.  The objective of this presentation is to provide a basic understanding of ICC 500-2014 in relation to FEMA 320-2014 and 361-2015, the importance of doors and hardware in these settings, and the ability to distinguish between tested and certified products and non-certified products.

The key changes in the 2014 edition that Jim explains in detail are:

• Establishes minimum requirements
• Inspections of fabricators is required for prefabricated or panelized storm shelter components
• Installation instructions are now required for doors and hardware
• Labels are required identifying manufacturer, the function and performance characteristics of the product, and the name of an approved agency indicating the product has been tested and evaluated
• Engineered calculations for all anchors not tested must be provided
• Assembly door opening testing – no component substitution allowed
• Doors, windows and impact protective systems are to be tested at the maximum and minimum size
• Impact testing for dislodgment and disengagement

Follow along as Jim shares his expertise and help us spread the message and save lives.  The recording begins just after introductions as Jim outlines the learning objectives.