Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
1. Which is safer, an in-ground or above-ground tornado shelter?
Answer:
Torshel’s shelters are both designed to be equally safe, and both units withstand the powerful winds of EF-5 tornados. The choice of the shelter’s type depends on several factors: the shelter’s location and personal preferences.
However, 70% of our sales are above ground units. They are easier to install and have proven to withstand an EF5 tornado.
2. How do you determine the number of people your storm shelter will fit?
Answer:
Torshel adheres to the requirement established by FEMA 320 and ICC 500, which call for 3 sq. ft. (square feet)/person of floor area per occupant for residential units, 5 sq. ft. (square feet)/person for commercial, and 10 sq. ft. per/person for a wheelchair-bound occupant.
3. Are Torshel’s tornado shelters pet-friendly?
Answer:
In the event of a tornado strike, you can get your pet into our shelters with the rest of your family members. Smaller animals can be put in a crate and carried into the units. In the case of bigger animals, we recommend conducting emergency drills for bigger animals every so often as a way to train your bigger pets in that enclosed environment. Getting your pet into an in-ground unit may present a bigger challenge. This will also require some training. To facilitate this, you can lure your pet with treats. Do not forget to include in the emergency kit pet food, water, treats, and contact information for your veterinarian, etc.
4. Can I have electricity inside my storm shelter?
Answer:
Yes, you can have electricity in the above-ground safe rooms. We can drill a half-inch hole inside the safe room and connect a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) extension cord with 4 outlets and a 125 V, 15 A, 14/3 Gauge switch. You must have an outlet nearby. We can do the same for the outdoor versions; you can get a local electrician to do the proper installation following the building code guidelines.
In the case of in-ground units, we do not recommend installing electricity. These units already come with battery power LED lights and fans, but ask a licensed electrician to install them for you if you must have them.
5. How many storm shelters has Torshel installed?
Answer:
Torshel has sold and installed over 1,300 tornado shelters (in-ground, above-ground, and modular shelters) throughout the southeastern region of the country (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, and surrounding states). Also, we sell and ship storm shelters anywhere in the continental United States. Torshel has served clients in Dallas, New York, Miami, Seattle, Los Angeles, and many rural areas around the country.
6. Do you charge delivery mileage?
Answer:
Yes, it depends if you are buying an above-ground or in-ground storm shelter. Above-ground units are easier to install, and we can travel longer distances. For clients who live far away, we charge a small trip fee.
7. Are your units FEMA 320, FEMA 361 and ICC500 compliant?
Answer:
Torshel’s shelters are engineered and tested to meet the highest quality standards at a competitive price. All of our residential storm shelters are FEMA 320 compliant, and all of our commercial shelters are FEMA 361 compliant. They also exceed ICC 500 protocols.
8. Will your units stand-up to an EF-5 tornado?
Answer:
Yes. Torshel’s products are designed to withstand the strongest tornadoes. Our shelters are not intended to be used for protection against fire, floods, or storm
surges. Instead, our units have been designed to protect against flying debris, wind uplift, and crushing forces that extreme weather can cause.
9. What prevents the doors from opening during a storm?
Answer:
Above-ground shelters and modular bolt types come with a 4-point locking system to assure your safety. Visit our galleries on our website for pictures.
10. Have your units passed the Texas Tech Wind Research Institute testing replicating an EF5 storm?
Answer:
Yes. All of our tornado shelters have passed the Texas Tech Wind Research Institute testing, as well as Torshel’s rigorous testing.
11. I want to install it myself; do you deliver your storm shelters?
Answer:
Yes, we can. You will need some background and understanding of construction skills and equipment to install the unit. We can provide you with an instruction manual and video tutorial. A shipping fee will be applied to a sales order. We can ship any unit anywhere in the US as long as the delivery site is accessible for a truck. Visit our video galleries on our website to learn about the installation process.
12. What is the warranty on your tornado shelters?
Answer:
Torshel’s tornado shelters (above-ground, in-ground, and modular units) carry a 10-year warranty (protection from defects in materials and workmanship). This warranty applies to the unit’s original owner and is transferable.
The lifespan of our shelters is over 100 years.
13. Do you offer customers financing for your storm shelters?
Answer:
Yes, we have financing available. Please, visit our financing page for detailed information.
14. I have excellent credit, what is my best option? Financing with Torshel or with my bank?
Answer:
Getting a line of credit or a loan with your local credit union or bank will give you the best interest rates.
15. Do you have group discounts?
Answer:
This one is very popular; we have special prices for a client’s neighbors or family. We can bring 2-10 shelters and install them during the same trip, saving time and money. Ask your neighbors; perhaps they also want a storm shelter. The best deals are for HOA when they buy ten (10) or more units at a time.
16. Where are your shelters manufactured?
Answer:
Torshel’s shelters are designed and manufactured in the United States. We have manufacturing partners in Missouri, Mississippi, and Alabama.
17. I have a basement / interior bathroom / etc., why do I need a tornado shelter?
Answer:
Tornadoes can be strong enough to destroy houses and tear up even the strongest floor framing. Flying debris can even punch through wood beams over eight inches thick. Residential above-ground storm shelters have been tested to withstand EF5 tornados. They are manufactured to comply with FEMA 320 standards. It should be noted that tornado shelters are supposed to be anchored to a concrete slab.
18. When you install a tornado shelter is there a mess to clean up afterward?
Answer:
Our installation crews do pick up after themselves once the work is concluded. They use reasonable efforts to minimize disturbances of the original condition of the work area and try to leave it cleaner than they found it.
19. Will I need a building permit to install my tornado shelter?
Answer:
Some cities and towns require a building permit. Contact your local Building Inspection Department or Code Enforcement Department to find out. Storm shelters are typically treated as a building accessory for permitting purposes. Permit requirements vary widely depending on your city or county. Most cities do not require permits for above-ground units, some do for in-ground garage shelters, and some have no idea because they have never seen one. The client is responsible for the permit fee.
20. Is a deposit required at the time that I place my tornado shelter order?
Answer:
Yes. Torshel requires 10% for above-ground units and a 30% down payment for cash buyers to assign you a storm shelter. Upon installation, the remaining balance is to be paid with a cashier’s check or credit card.
A signed contract by both parties is also required before delivery and installation. For units being shipped, we require full payment upfront.
21. Will my cellphone work once inside the shelter?
Answer:
As long as your cellphone provider has good coverage in your area, you should be able to have a signal. We have noticed that in the above-ground units, there is little if any loss of signal.
22. Once an order is placed, how soon can we expect our shelter?
Answer:
Torshel keeps a certain number of all its types of shelters in stock. If the type and size you require are not in stock, an order with the manufacturer will be placed. Typically, the waiting period is less than four (4) weeks, depending on the time of the year. Please look at the lead time given in your invoice or quote.
23. Can I take my shelter when I move?
Answer:
Yes, above-ground units only, modular, or welded units can be transferred to a new location. Torshel can come by your residence, remove the anchors, load the unit onto our truck and install it professionally at your new house. Prices start at $900 depending on the distance and logistics.
24. Are Torshel’s tornado shelters fire resistant?
Answer:
No. Torshel’s shelters are not designed for fire protection; they are designed primarily against storms. However, if you want to use it as a safe, we suggest buying a small fire-resistant safe and putting it inside the safe room; that way, all your documents, money, and important files will be safe during a fire.
25. How is the storm shelter shipped if I live far away?
Answer:
The modular shelters are placed in pallets or crates, and the medium-size units 4’x6 safe rooms or 5’x 7’ in-ground shelters are shipped using companies such as UPS. They bring the unit to your site on a truck with a liftgate. The shipping company can deliver it as long as your house is accessible for an 18-wheeler truck or semi-trailer truck. For example, if your house is on a hill, they will leave the shelter on the street, and you will need a forklift to move the unit to the desired place. Torshel also ships units to construction job sites.
26. Do you have insurance, what happens if Torshel damages my house while installing the storm shelter?
Answer:
Yes, Torshel carries a $2 million General Liability Insurance. If our crew damages the garage or a wall, we will fix it, or our insurance company will take care of it.
We are not responsible for damages to utilities while excavating; we cannot know what is inside the ground. Before in-ground installations, the owner must contact 811 to request underground utility line detection in the area where the unit will be installed. This is a free service. Please read our warranty carefully.
27. Who is responsible if during the installation the crew has an accident?
Answer:
Torshel carries an insurance policy called Workers Compensation, which will cover our crew only. We ask all our clients to stay away or within a safe distance while performing the installation.
Above- Ground Safe Rooms
28. Are your above-ground shelters handicapped accessible?
Answer:
Our above-ground shelters are handicapped accessible, except the smallest 3×5 and 3×7 models. Outdoor models can be installed with a wheelchair ramp for easy access.
29. What are the sizes of your shelters?
Answer:
They come in various sizes and can fit anywhere from 3 to 50 people per unit. Our most common stock sizes are 3’ x 5’, 4’ x 4’, 3’ x 7’, 4’ x 6’, 4’ x 8’, and 6’ x 8’. If you have a large family and need more room, Torshel can custom build an 8’ x 10’, or 8’ x 20’. The standard high of our shelter is 6’ 5”. If you need a 7’ or 8’ height or any other special size, we can custom build it for you.
30. How does the tornado shelter door open if debris falls on it?
Answer:
Torshel’s above-ground shelters do have the option of doors swinging inwards or outwards. We can provide you with a floor jack if your door swings out for an extra fee.
31. What is the gauge/thickness of the steel used during the manufacturing of the units?
Answer:
Torshel’s shelters are manufactured with structural A36 steel thicknesses of 3/16” for the smallest units and 1/4” for units bigger than 4’ x 6’. In addition, all of our shelters have been tested and engineered to withstand EF-5 tornados.
All our shelters have a reinforced steel structure inside that makes them stronger than our competitors.
32. How long will my safe rooms last?
Answer:
If the unit is installed inside the house away from the rain, we can expect it to last hundreds of years. If the unit is outside, you must paint it every 3-5 years to protect it from corrosion. It should last 100 years minimum, depending on the weather conditions and maintenance.
33. Will lighting hit my safe room?
Answer:
The chances of getting hit by lightning are minimal. However, we only install a lightning rod on the outdoor safe room models.
34. Can I place the safe room against a wall?
Answer:
Yes, you can place a safe room against an interior wall like the garage. However, if you must place the safe room near the edge of the concrete, we suggest at least 6” from the edge.
35. How come Torshel’s safe rooms do not have a floor?
Answer:
Torshel safe rooms do not need a floor because they are anchored to the concrete slab of your home or into an outdoor concrete pad. Our units are rated for EF5 tornadoes, and a metal floor would be unnecessary -it will be a waste of material. Our installation procedure places great emphasis on the anchors, ensuring that they will hold the power of the wind and debris.
36. What is a tension cable concrete slab?
Tension cables are a popular option used in areas with unstable soils. They are used instead of rebar during construction. Such cables are installed before the concrete is poured and are tensioned (pulled) afterward. Unfortunately, if somebody cuts one cable, it can create massive damage to the structural integrity of homes and even cause injury and death -imagine cutting the string on a guitar but on a bigger scale.
If this is a DIY installation, you must scan your concrete before buying.
In this video, you can learn more about post-tension cables:
37. How do I know if my concrete slab has tension cables?<br />
Answer:
your homebuilder if s/he has used them or will be installing them. If you have an old house, you may not find the homebuilder. In such a case, the second option is to remove some soil with the aid of a shovel at the edge of the concrete slab -dig about 4”- 8” deep and 4’ long; if you find patches, then your house has tension cables. Perform this procedure in 2-3 different places around the house.
38. My house has tension cables; can I install a safe room?
Yes, the installation can be conducted about 99% of the time. If Torshel is performing the installation, we will bring a rebar scanner to spot them and mark them on the concrete slab as a reference for the drilling process. Then, we will place the safe room in the desired area, avoiding the floor marks. We can always move the shelter to the sides, front or back, ensuring that we do not cut the cable.
If this is a DIY installation, you must scan your concrete before buying. We recommend a scanner similar to this one:
Modular Bolt Together Units
39. What is a modular type shelter?
Answer:
This model consists of steel panels weighing approximately 60-80 lbs. each, connected using structural steel bolts/connectors and attached to a concrete slab foundation with an anchoring system.
40. What are the sizes available in the modular type?
Answer:
This modular type of tornado shelter is rather versatile. They come in the standard sizes of 3’ x 5’, 4’ x 6’, 4’ x 8’, 6’ x 6’ or bigger units such as the 6’ x 10’ and 6’ x 20’. Due to the nature of its components (the panels), this type of unit can practically come in any size. You can order new panels to make the unit bigger if needed. The wall panels are 6” or 12” wide.
41. What is the smallest unit I can buy?
Answer:
The minimum width of a modular unit is 3’, and the maximum is 6’. The minimum length is 5’ with a maximum length of 50’.
42. What is an outstanding feature of the modular units?
Answer:
An attractive feature of this type of shelter is that they can be installed inside an existing room in your home, business, or school as long as you have a solid foundation. They can be fitted to just about any size room. Such units can be expanded to any size in panels of 6” or 12” increments. The modular type can be assembled with standard tools in less than 8 hours, depending on size.
The master closet or spare bedroom is the most popular space to install this type of unit. Like their counterparts, the modular shelters are designed to be equally safe and can withstand EF-5 tornados and are guaranteed to be as strong as any other bolt-together unit on the market.
43. Can a modular type of shelter be installed outdoors and will weather elements damage my shelter?
Answer:
Yes, modular shelters can be installed outdoors. However, to do so, a slab foundation must be constructed. Due to exposure to weather elements, Torshel recommends reapplying silicone to the unit’s roof at least once a year or placing a shed to cover them.
Weather elements can damage the powder coating of the shelter. Be advised that deep scratches can compromise the integrity of the paint coating of the panels. Torshel recommends touching up scratches, if deep scratches are not repainted, water will gather in the surface and corrosion and rust will occur.
44. Will the modular shelter be attached to the wall?
Answer:
No. To perform the installation, we require a minimum of 2” from the wall to install the bolts.
45. Can the modular unit be installed on tile or carpet?
Answer:
Yes, we can install it on tile, hardwood, or carpet. You must be 100% sure that the concrete slab underneath is in good condition. If you are not sure about the concrete condition, we recommend removing the carpet or wood to inspect and confirm that there are no cracks.
In-Ground Shelters
In-Ground Outdoor Units
46. Does condensation occur in in-ground tornado shelters?
Answer:
Condensation can occur in all in-ground shelters depending on the temperature and humidity.
47. How do you treat the condensation in an in-ground shelter?
Answer:
Condensation is treated by moving air through the unit and/or by installing a dehumidifier or moisture remediation kit.
48. Are the in-ground units prompt to get flooded?
Answer:
All of Torshel’s steel in-ground storm shelters are leak-proof, seal-welded, inside and out. However, if you live in an area prompt to flood, we suggest an above-ground shelter.
49. Will my in-ground unit rust?
Answer:
Torshel’s steel in-ground units are covered with a coal tar epoxy coating that prevents corrosion for many years. This type of epoxy is used in underground pipelines and marinas to prevent corrosion.
50. Do you install the in-ground shelter, or do I have to install it myself?
Answer:
Our installation crew can conduct the installation of your in-ground indoors or outdoors unit. You can also do it yourself if you have experience in construction or are mechanically inclined and have the required equipment for such a task (e.g., excavator, etc.). You can also hire a qualified third party to perform the installation. Two people will make the installation task more manageable and safer.
51. Do you pour concrete for in-ground shelter?
Answer:
Yes, we encapsulate all shelters with 4 to 5 inches of concrete.
Please refer to the installation method here. LINK
52. How does the tornado in-ground shelter door open if debris falls on it?
Answer:
Torshel’s in-ground shelters come with a three (3) or 8-ton, easy-to-use hydraulic jack to pry the hatch open should debris block the entrance.
53. Where can I install an in-ground shelter?
Answer:
Our storm shelters can be installed in almost any location during new construction, outdoors, or in the garage for existing homes. Customers should consider the geological makeup of the chosen site before deciding whether to purchase an underground shelter or a safe room.
A safe room or aboveground unit is recommended for those who live in areas prone to flooding or for customers who have accessibility issues.
54. How long does it take to install an in-ground shelter?
Answer:
In most cases, our in-ground tornado shelters can be usually installed within one day.
55. Does the in-ground unit offer enough light and ventilation?
Answer:
Yes. Torshel’s in-ground garage units come with a cut out on the front lid to offer additional light and air circulation. In addition, the units come with a portable battery-operated fan to increase air circulation. Our shelters meet and exceed FEMA’s requirements for ventilation.
56. Can I park my vehicle over the in-ground indoor storm shelter?
Answer:
Yes. The in-ground indoor storm shelters are designed to be straddled over with your vehicle. In most cases, you can even leave your vehicle in the garage and still access the storm shelter without backing out. However, you cannot drive or leave a car directly on top of the shelter. This practice will damage the lids (doors) of your storm shelter.
57. What happens if I have water, sewer, or other utility lines underneath the slab of our garage?
Answer:
Our only option is to install an above-ground or modular shelter to prevent any accidents in such a case.
58. What is the 811 service?
Answer:
Call before you dig. This is a free service available to the public to locate the utilities around your house. This is a necessary step for any underground storm shelter work. Just like 911, you call them to inform them that you will be digging a pit/hole in the garage, backyard, or patio. They will send a crew to mark gas, electricity, water, sewer, etc. If there is a utility line in the storm shelter’s desired location, we need to find another spot or install an above-ground unit.
59. Can I lock the shelter from the outside and open it from the inside?
Answer:
Yes, you can use the tornado shelter to lock valuables. Our shelters come with a deadbolt lock on the door, which you can open and close by using a key. However, you cannot lock a person in because inside the unit. There is a knob that opens and closes the lock. You can remove this deadbolt lock and install your locking mechanism if you wish.
We hope that the information provided above satisfies most of your concerns regarding our products. However, please feel free to contact us if you have further concerns.