JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #33 - June 2007 - 39

nstalled by builders in new homes, above-ground shelters can be made of several different material and component combinations. But many builders prefer the features and benefits offered by a new storm shelter system featuring panels made of fibreglass-based thermoset composite material that is strong enough to meet stringent specifications. Unlike shelters that rely on concrete and steel, the wall sheathing of the composite-based system is relatively thin and easy to cut to the exact size specified by a floor plan. What is more, the system can be fabricated using common construction tools, eliminating the need for special equipment and subcontractors that boost the cost of other above-ground shelters. I Composite-based storm shelters Solving underground problems ALAN JOHNSON, NORPLEX-MICARTA MARK LATHAM, OMNITEK PRODUCTS, INC. AND Storm shelters of various designs protect homeowners and their families from tornados and hurricanes. Underground shelters are the most common, but these can be hard to enter and difficult (if not impossible) to install in some areas. So in places often hit by destructive windstorms, more and more people are turning to an equally effective but less troublesome option: above-ground shelters. A new composite system meeting stringent storm shelter guidelines was recently developed. Application Fortunately for the millions who need storm protection, an above-ground shelter eliminates these problems. Located inside a house, this type of shelter is a small room specially constructed to provide a safe haven during wind storms that can severely damage or even destroy the rest of the house. During the construction of a house, the shelter is the first room built on the foundation. Except for the foundation, the shelter does not depend on other parts of the house for support or structural integrity. Thus, it can be thought of as a lifeboat inside the house. Underground shelters cannot protect people in many areas that are regularly ravaged by tornados and hurricanes. For example, they cannot be built in areas with a high water table. In other locations, they are impractical due to unfavourable soil conditions. Underground shelters can also be problematic because of their location and construction. These shelters are usually small structures with an even smaller entry and a steep staircase. Therefore, they can be difficult to enter – especially for elderly or disabled people who have only seconds to seek safety from a fast-approaching tornado. Composite characteristics Historically, this room is not used for any other purpose than a shelter; however, above-ground shelters come in many different forms. One increasingly popular option consists of a new technologically-advanced composite-based system. This new shelter offers builders an easier installation solution, while providing homeowners with greater flexibility and security. The StormBlocker shelter is a small room constructed to provide a safe haven during wind storms that can severely damage or destroy the house. A composite-based storm shelter consists of a reinforced wood No33 June 2007 / JEC Composites Magazine

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #33 - June 2007

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #33 - June 2007