Where tornadoes, hurricanes, and other severe storm events are an expected part of life, storm shelters offer consumers an emergency safeguard. Manufacturers of these shelters and their components know customers rely on the shelters and components to perform under extreme conditions to effectively protect themselves and their loved ones. To help preserve the public’s health, safety, and general welfare, ICC-ES provides a way for these manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with the unique safety standard designed for their products – ICC 500, “ICC/NSSA Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters.”

The consensus standard, developed through a collaborative partnership between the International Code Council, the National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA), and a national committee, specifies the minimum requirements for shelters and their components to safeguard occupants from conditions commonly experienced during tornadoes and hurricanes. ICC 500 is referenced explicitly in the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC) as the governing standard for the construction and design of storm shelters.

ICC-ES accredited laboratories conduct storm shelter and component tests for various purposes, including but not limited to:

• Air Infiltration
• Code Compliance
• Missile Impact
• Static Air-pressure Difference
• Uniform Load
• Water Infiltration
• Windborne Debris Impact Resistance for Tornadoes and Hurricanes
• Wind-load Testing and Wind Pressure

We create tailored test plans that capture specialized requirements for innovative products, such as those found in the ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria. Below is a list of standards or criteria that may be included in test plans for storm shelters:

• ICC 500
• ASTM C920
• ASTM E330
• ASTM E1592
• ASTM E1886