Storm Safe Hurricane Shelter Kit Frequently asked questions
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The shelter is made of thick 3/16" aluminum plate and bolted together every 6 inches along every edge. It hexagon shape is very strong and has superior crush resistance. I am still in the process of doing further tests although it would be very hard to apply any test to any actual storm situation. The unit far exceeds the Miami Dade small and large missile tests.
The unit should assemble in approx. 4-5 hours with one person and a helper. You only need some help holding the upper panels in place while inserting the bolts.
Staying inside is unlimited until you insert the air vent plugs. Go to number 18 for complete details. We also offer several reserve air supplies.
4 adults is the advertised load. Of course it's really up to you.
The unit is sealed along its edges with soft putty. The soft putty comes off easily after disassembly and new must be purchased.
All shipping is quoted. We also export world wide.
All of the assembly instruction can be sent to you at no cost or are available on line at the web site.
Only a means of turning the bolts. We offer a battery powered drill kit. Or you can use a ratchet and socket but the drill works great and most everyone has one now. A phillips screwdriver will help with hole alignment.
The class will take about an hour and also covers the safety items. Everyone in the family should attend and become familiar with the unit. Familiarity with the construction can alleviate any concerns about its durability and emergency exit procedures.
It's not, unless you want it to be and of course for truck shipment. If the unit is shipped by truck, it is packed in a plywood box. Export boxing depends on where it is going. All are quoted.
Approx. 800 pounds total. Each side panel is 83 pounds and each end piece is 21 pounds
We will deliver in the Florida Keys at no cost. It may be easier if you pick it up so you may store it where it goes in one step. If we deliver, we will only unload it, you will still have to get it to your on site storage place.
All of the parts are large so it's best if you have two people. Gloves are supplied because the edges can cut. It is best if you have a large phillips screwdriver to insert in the edge holes when carrying and handling. It simply makes it easy to control the pieces.
We mount the unit on a trailer that you can tow home and put anywhere you wish. (assembly costs are extra and quoted)
Yes, but only at our store, how you get it home is up to you. Please remember it won't fit through a door. The price will be quoted.
This question is very hard to answer, it would certainly be a better place to be than outside or even inside your home if a large wave hits. Of course you would have no time to assemble the unit, it would have to be ready 100% of the time.
17) How does fresh air get inside?
The air enters through the 4, 3/4" holes in the top of the end pieces. There are plugs for these holes if and when a water situation should occur.
This is a very critical area and everyone who uses the shelter MUST be schooled on the sealing and unsealing of the shelter. The shelter is only to be used during the peak period of the storm and only sealed if and while a water situation is present. After a water threat has passed the air plugs should be removed at once. Even if you must remain in the shelter.
DEATH WILL OCCUR, If left sealed to long. You would never seal the shelter completely except in the event of water entering through the air holes. If a completely submerged situation should occur, a back up air supply is mandatory.
Here is some great reading material about CO2 scrubbers http://www.frogdiver.com/index.html
It is estimated that a single 200# person would have approximately 1.5 hours of air before feeling the effects ( poisoning )of the carbon dioxide they exhaled. By purchasing other air supplies the time would be extended. (such as regular scuba tanks or other such air supplies, but remember the unit must be one way vented to prevent pressure build up. This is accomplished by a simple one way pressure relief valve in one of the air vent holes..
Simply take an end piece off and crawl out. All the bolts are installed from the inside. Of course you will need to take a wrench inside with you.
First of all, Storm Safe will keep track of all the units and advise the emergency response teams of your address. Also if you purchase an EBERP, it should be broadcasting a signal of your location. We offer a VHF waterproof marine radio and of course your cell phone may still work. You need to contact us ASAP after any storm.
It simply has a cross handle that you turn from inside or outside and the entire hatch falls out. It is a ships hatch and is watertight with a rubber seal.
Take anything you want, but remember it will reduce your air supply if sealing becomes required.
Floating away may be a good thing. the shelter has 4 eyes on each corner that can be used to secure it to the ground or floor. All of the eyes are removable from the inside should a water situation occur. You simply unscrew the retaining nuts, push the eye bolts out and put the 4, 1/2" rubber plugs in the holes to prevent water entry. It would also be tethered with a long rope.
We offer a complete fiberglass seating package with full body / shoulder harness to secure you from rolling around inside during a water situation. This is a quoted option because user size may very.
We offer 4 large binders. You will need to supply a place for the other end. We can advise you as to your site needs.
We offer a simple marine port-a-pot. Fastened down of course.
12 light sticks come with the unit. There are also 2 penlight stick up lights included.
Yes, it does. The float test was completed at Bahia Honda State Park on 4/4/06 around 2pm. The shelter was weighted with 800# and put in the water. It floated with only 10" submerged. Go to the Photo page to view.
Just think about all the ships and boats that are made from steel and aluminum. Lightning follows the path of least resistance to the best ground. In the water, that would be directly from the shelter into the water, not through someone inside. In a house or on the ground, a grounding wire could be provided to hook from the shelter to the house ground at a very low expense. (est.$20.00)
3/16" (.190) Aluminum plate.
I know of no other shelter that would work during a Tsunamis. Although using the Storm Safe shelter for Tsunamis protection would entail having it together all the time. I don't think the 4-5 hours needed to do the assemble, would be sufficient time after a warning is given