Housing and Community Development

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  • 1.  FEMA Rated Storm Shelters in Multifamily Housing

    Posted 01-24-2025 12:55 PM

    Hello!  I am representing the AIA Middle Tennessee Government Relations committee in outreach to our national AIA community.  We are seeking input on any jurisdictions that currently have requirements for storm shelters in Multifamily Housing developments.  We are working with a local elected official who is interested in pursuing this and are assembling feedback from our membership. To support this feedback, we would appreciate an opportunity to speak to Architects in other jurisdictions where this may be a requirement, or where it has been discussed.  Thank you!



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    Amy Daniels AIA
    WBA Architecture
    Nashville TN
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  • 2.  RE: FEMA Rated Storm Shelters in Multifamily Housing

    Posted 01-24-2025 06:21 PM
    This is a very good idea for areas prone to Tornados, where the threat usually passes within 24 hours.  

    However, for areas prone to wildfires, flooding, mudslides and hurricanes, these storm shelters would be 
    a false sense of security, ie, how many days could it take for Rescue Crews to reach people with food and water?  

    Many times the roads are just not passible after these events, and it can take many days to clear them.  
    If the electricity went out, a generator would last only so long, (unless you kept solar PV panels inside 
    this shelter and/or a wind power set up).

    Further, as we know, there's no such thing as a completely flood-proof, wildfire-proof, or wind proof design - 
    every structure has its limits, and these natural disaster events are getting more frequent and more severe.  

    For wildfires, flooding, mudslides and hurricanes, the best option would be to evacuate the whole area and 
    get far, far away. 

    But I really applaud the advance thinking you and others are doing to keep people safer.   

    Sincerely, 
    Carolyn Hunter, Architect
    Context Architecture, Inc. 
    Durango, Colorado  

     





  • 3.  RE: FEMA Rated Storm Shelters in Multifamily Housing

    Posted 01-31-2025 09:47 AM

    We did a multi-family project in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the project was required to install storm shelters. Hope that is helpful

     

    Arthur M. Balourdas AIA  |  The Arcadia Group
    Architect

    Office:  (619) 543-4200 x7551
    Mobile:  (858) 204-1012
    Email: 
    art@hampstead.com
    www.ArcadiaSanDiego.com

     

     






  • 4.  RE: FEMA Rated Storm Shelters in Multifamily Housing

    Posted 02-06-2025 07:48 PM

    We have been designing Multi-family across the country for 35 years, and I am not aware of any developer wanting to spend money on storm shelters. The challenge is that they are all built of 2x4 wood frames, which would be incredibly expensive to construct to resistant a tornado.  However, they are much more wind resistant now then just a few years ago because of recent code changes.

    A big 'Texas Wrap' with a concrete garage in the middle would be a good place to start.  The wood frame on the leeward side may survive along with the garage.  A level of the garage could be enclosed to act as a shelter for residents for not a lot more money.

    Good luck at getting a code change, and thank-you for your effort, Amy.



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    Tommy Taylor AIA
    Hensley Lamkin Rachel Inc.
    Dallas TX
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