Original Concrete Shelter
The "Original" is our most popular in-ground shelter model with its 6' x 8' interior. The ceiling height inside is 6'2" inches and the shelter is rated for 8 people. Many shelters of this model were in the paths of the terrible storms that ravaged Moore, Oklahoma and surrounding cities in 1999. One of those shelters ended up with more than 20 people inside. This model is also the shelter of choice for President Bush on his Crawford, Texas ranch.
Built to standards recommended by FEMA, the Original is constructed of 6,000 PSI concrete with fibermesh and reinforced with 3/8" inch rebar every 12 inches running both directions. The walls are 3" thick, the ceiling and floor are 4" thick, and the shelter weighs approximately 12,600 lbs.
This model comes with an 8" screened turbine vent, a 6" screened intake vent, an interior fixed staircase with dual hand rails, a leak proof 10 gauge steel door with three high strength hinges and a three point/lockable latch & handle. The door also has a support cylinder that makes it easy to open and close.
The Original is installed 4 1/2 ft. into the ground with approximately 2 ft. remaining above grade. The dirt from the excavation is then mounded around the above grade portion on three sides creating a small mound and completely surrounding the shelter with earth. Normal installation can be completed in less than 3 hours.
The landscaping shown on this page was completed by the owner of the shelter following installation.
Sale prices for the Original shelter are for Texas installations only and exclude the following counties:
Dallam, Sherman, Hansford, Ochiltree, Lipscomb,
Hartley, Moore, Hutchinson, Roberts, Hemphill, Oldham, Potter, Carson, Gray, Wheeler, Deaf Smith, Randall,
Armstrong, Donley, Collingsworth, Parmer, Castro, Swisher, Briscoe, Hall, Childress, Floyd, Motley, Cottle,
Foard, Hardeman Please visit Panhandle Storm
Shelters for installations in the counties listed
above. For installations outside of Texas, in areas not
served by one of our distributors, please call for pricing.
© 2009 U.S. Storm Shelters, LLC