Committee on Architecture for Education

Hello! I am working with a local Charter School applicant to vet spaces for a new K-8 school in our local community. We're grappling with the requirement (423.4) for a storm shelter in all new K-12 schools. Are there other jurisdictions who have made an exception for this in Adaptive Reuse or school renovation scenarios?

I agree with Cleve Reeves but for another reason.

As evidenced by the large number of tornados in Tennessee this past year, harsh weather and dangerous conditions are a known hazard and danger by both an owner and the design professional. A standard of care for both school owners and design professionals is that they need to address known conditions and problems in their work, operation, and ownership. Consequently, if a waiver is sought and obtained, regardless of the justification, if there are injuries or deaths as a result of a tornado that could have been reasonably prevented by including a shelter, there's going to be a large negligence filing and award in the works. 

Personally, as well, I wouldn't want to have on my conscience that my actions led to or allowed the injury or death of children when I could have prevented it.

This kind of protection should be a high priority for owners and designers, and most good architects can find creative ways to provide the required protection at a reasonable cost.