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|                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | Home»Mitigation Division»Tornado Protection: Selecting Refuge Areas in Buildings                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
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|  Search        FEMA» Search TipsMitigation Division• About      This Division• Ask      The Expert• Library• Best Practices & Case Studies• Interagency      Activities• Education/Training• Software      Applications/      HAZUS• National Flood Insurance Program• Hazards   | Tornado Protection: Selecting Refuge Areas in Buildings

FEMA 431

Tornadoes cause heavy loss of life and property damage throughout much of the United States. Most schools and other public buildings include areas that offer some protection from this danger, and building administrators should know the locations of these areas. 

 This booklet presents case studies of three schools that were struck by tornadoes: Xenia Senior High School in Xenia, Ohio; St. Augustine Elementary School in Kalamazoo, Michigan; and Kelly Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma, which were struck on April 3, 1974; May 13, 1980; and May 3, 1999, respectively. The resulting damage to these schools was examined by teams of structural engineers, building scientists, engineering and architectural faculties, building administrators, and representatives of the architectural firms that designed the buildings. 

 From these and other examinations, guidance has been developed for selecting the safest areas in existing buildings - areas that may offer protection if a tornado strikes - referred to in this booklet as the best available refuge areas. The guidance presented in this booklet is intended primarily to help building administrators, architects, and engineers select the best available refuge areas in existing schools. Building administrators, architects, and engineers are encouraged to apply this guidance so that the number of injuries and deaths will be minimized if a tornado strikes an occupied school. For the design of shelters in schools yet to be constructed, refer to FEMA publication 361, Design and Construction of Community Shelters.

FEMA 431- Tornado Protection: Selecting Refuge Areas in Buildings           -- 11.8 MBText Version for Screen Readers  -- 68 KB  

Individual Chapters

FEMA 431- Cover – Introduction -- 936 KB Text Version for Screen Readers -- 8 KB

FEMA 431- Chapter 1: Tornado Profile -- 3.0 MBText Version for Screen Readers -- 68 KB 

FEMA 431- Chapter 2: Efects of High Winds -- 300 KBText Version for Screen Readers -- 8 KB 

FEMA 431- Chapter 3: Case Studies -- 1.7 MBText Version for Screen Readers -- 24 KB 

FEMA 431- Chapter 4: Selection Procedures -- 4.8 MBText Version for Screen Readers -- 28 KB 

FEMA 431- Chapter 5: Conclusions -- 412 KBText Version for Screen Readers -- 4 KB 

FEMA 431- Information Sources -- 1.0 MBText Version for Screen Readers -- 4 KB 

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|  | Last Updated: Monday, 25-Oct-2004 08:42:35 EDT |
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