No matter what storm shelter or safe room you decide is right for you, for your safety and the safety of your family make sure you are getting a shelter that has been tested by Texas Tech University and meets the safety requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
In our search for the best shelter for our own family, my wife and I found several "copycat" shelters on the market. These companies took the designs of tested shelter manufacturers, took various shortcuts in their own manufacturing process and produced an inferior product. Without thorough research, however, the average customer cannot determine the difference. Oftentimes, these shelters do not have doors that meet FEMA and Texas Tech University standards in either general construction or in locking mechanisms among other deficiencies we found. Some of these manufacturers claim they do onsite testing so it is not necessary to have their shelter tested by the reputable university standards. These "copycat" manufacturers are taking your life into their hands by selling you an inferior product with no regard for your safety. Please, for your own sake, make sure the shelter your life is depending on is an approved, safe shelter.
The most important questions to ask all storm shelter dealer are:
- Who is the manufacturer?
- Is the manufacturer insured?
- Is the dealer insured and licensed (if license is applicable)?
- Has the shelter been tested at Texas Tech University? (Do not take their word for it. Verify with Texas Tech.)
- Does this shelter meet FEMA standards?