Designing Steel-Framed Storm Shelters and Practical Steel Solutions

New schools and other public buildings in areas of possible severe weather including tornadoes and hurricanes are being designed and constructed with storm shelters. These safe areas are usually in a common portion of the structure that can house all those who would commonly be in the building, such as the total student and faculty of a high school. This session will review some of the common practices being utilized to effectively and economically provide such safe places.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the key considerations and initial steps when a storm shelter is requested as part of a school or public building project.
• Explain the performance expectations and design requirements that influence storm shelter member, connection, and detailing decisions.
• Review how engineering intent, system behavior, and verification work together to support successful storm shelter design.
• Understand the importance of early coordination and alignment in achieving reliable storm shelter performance during extreme weather events.

Presented: 2026
Presenters:
Riley Mahaffey, P.E.
Principal at Lochsa Engineering

Scott Russell, SE, PE
Manager – Innovation Services at Nucor Vulcraft/Verco Group