1. Wind Science and Engineering Texas Tech University Widespread Use of In-Residence Shelters presented to National Hurricane Conference New Orleans, LA April 17, 2003 presented by Ernst W. Kiesling, P.E., Ph.D. Wind Science and Engineering Research Center Texas Tech University

2. Wind Science and Engineering Texas Tech University Reminders of Our Purpose

3. Wind Science and Engineering Texas Tech University Objectives in Mitigation Avoid catastrophic loss of life Avoid catastrophic loss of life Reduce anxiety and suffering Reduce anxiety and suffering Reduce economic losses Reduce economic losses –Property damage –Business interruptions

4. Wind Science and Engineering Texas Tech University Benefits of Widespread Use of In-Residence Shelters Benefits to Individual Benefits to Individual –High level of storm protection –Avoid costs of evacuation Travel Travel Room and Board Room and Board –Increase home security; protection of valuables –Less time off work –Peace of mind –More time to secure residence –Immediate attention to damage repair

5. Wind Science and Engineering Texas Tech University Benefits of Widespread Use Benefits to Society Benefits to Society –Reduce number of evacuees –Avoid highway gridlock –Reduce demands for expanding highway capacity –Reduce business interruptions –Decrease lead time for forecasting

6. Wind Science and Engineering Texas Tech University Recent Developments, Trends Advanced shelter technology, introduced new products Advanced shelter technology, introduced new products Demonstrated improved marketability of houses with shelters Demonstrated improved marketability of houses with shelters Shown that incentive grants stimulate demand for shelters Shown that incentive grants stimulate demand for shelters Began to shift paradigms of effective mitigation strategies Began to shift paradigms of effective mitigation strategies

7. Wind Science and Engineering Texas Tech University Implementation Strategies Goal Increase number of reliable In-Residence shelters Increase number of reliable In-Residence shelters Process Process Optimize shelter designs Optimize shelter designs –Develop reliable analysis methods to support designers Texas Tech is making good progress with NIST support Texas Tech is making good progress with NIST support –Establish design criteria for hurricane shelters ICC/NSSA Committee will address ICC/NSSA Committee will address –Develop optimum prescriptive designs for residential shelters FEMA 320 results in overly conservative designs for hurricanes FEMA 320 results in overly conservative designs for hurricanes Quantify benefits & costs of In-Residence shelters Quantify benefits & costs of In-Residence shelters Implement education programs for all stakeholders Implement education programs for all stakeholders –Demonstration projects are very effective Establish incentive grant program to stimulate growth Establish incentive grant program to stimulate growth Adopt quality control mechanisms for shelter design and construction Adopt quality control mechanisms for shelter design and construction

8. Wind Science and Engineering Texas Tech University Implementation Strategies Goal Increase number of community shelters Increase number of community shelters Provide quality assurance Provide quality assurance Process Process Optimize shelter designs Optimize shelter designs –Monitor shelter performance –Refine design criteria Establish debris impact criteria for community shelters Establish debris impact criteria for community shelters –Refine resistance design criteria

9. Wind Science and Engineering Texas Tech University Quality Control Barriers/Opportunities Barriers/Opportunities –Few professional designers involved in residential construction. Even fewer familiar with shelter design –Residential construction is steeped in tradition –Storm shelter design criteria and level of protection are well above standard practice –Public must be convinced of benefits of improved codes and practices Prescriptive designs are important in residential construction Prescriptive designs are important in residential construction Quality verification process is vital Quality verification process is vital

10. Wind Science and Engineering Texas Tech University Quality Control NSSA MEMBER requirements NSSA MEMBER requirements –Pledge to produce only those shelters that meet the NSSA standard –Test shelters for debris impact resistance (if not in FEMA 320) –Have independent third party compliance check –Affix a seal bearing serial number –File a Certificate of Installation with NSSA for each shelter installed

11. Wind Science and Engineering Texas Tech University The Future The Future Shelter industry is relatively new Shelter industry is relatively new –Growth pains and quality issues are inevitable –Progress is being made No single or simple approach will solve sheltering problems No single or simple approach will solve sheltering problems In-Residence shelters will prove to be the best option for many In-Residence shelters will prove to be the best option for many