July 2008
Shelter from the storm
One new prefab shelter promises to withstand violent weather
With the devastation caused by the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic storm season, it's no surprise that major manufacturers saw
the public's enhanced concerns about weather as an opportunity to market products designed to help people survive an emergency.
DuPont, for example, has come out with the DuPont StormRoom With Kevlar.
The rooms, which are available in both standard 4x6- and 4x8-foot and custom sizes are reinforced with supertough Kevlar. The manufacturer claims they meet Federal Emergency Management Agency National Performance Criteria for hurricane and tornado shelters. (That means, for instance, that the shelter can withstand the impact from a 15-pound 2x4 piece of lumber moving at 100 mph, the speed that a 250-mph wind would carry a building timber.) DuPont estimates the cost to convert a room to a shelter or add one to a new home will be about $6,500 to $14,000. All models are installed by authorized dealers, who will work with the customer during the initial site visit to determine what size and configuration is best for their space. To purchase, consumers should locate a regional certified installer by using the locator tool on the DuPont StormRoom home page.
While we have not tested the StormRoom and have no plans to do so, consumers can take less-extreme steps to be ready for an emergency.
The rooms, which are available in both standard 4x6- and 4x8-foot and custom sizes are reinforced with supertough Kevlar. The manufacturer claims they meet Federal Emergency Management Agency National Performance Criteria for hurricane and tornado shelters. (That means, for instance, that the shelter can withstand the impact from a 15-pound 2x4 piece of lumber moving at 100 mph, the speed that a 250-mph wind would carry a building timber.) DuPont estimates the cost to convert a room to a shelter or add one to a new home will be about $6,500 to $14,000. All models are installed by authorized dealers, who will work with the customer during the initial site visit to determine what size and configuration is best for their space. To purchase, consumers should locate a regional certified installer by using the locator tool on the DuPont StormRoom home page.
While we have not tested the StormRoom and have no plans to do so, consumers can take less-extreme steps to be ready for an emergency.
- If you've put off assembling a first-aid kit, find out what essential items you need to have in yours.
- If you live in an area where power outages are common, don't miss our feature on emergency generators. You'll not only discover which models scored highest in our tests (Ratings are available to subscribers), but you'll also learn how to calculate what size generator you need and maintain the one you eventually buy.
