Storm & tornado shelters.
Reinforced underground shelters designed for severe-weather preparedness, with configurations developed around site conditions, expected occupancy, and project-specific structural requirements.
Engineered for the worst fifteen minutes of your life.
A Bobbuyshouses storm shelter is a reinforced underground structure developed around the conditions of the property, the intended occupancy, and the severe-weather preparedness objectives defined for the project.
The structure can incorporate reinforced concrete construction, project-specific reinforcement, waterproofing, and specialist access systems. Final dimensions, materials, and entry specifications are determined by site conditions and the agreed project design.
Every shelter is site-specific. We begin with a geotechnical investigation to determine soil bearing capacity, groundwater levels, and frost depth. The foundation, shell thickness, and anchoring are then tailored to those conditions.
Typical capacity
4 to 12 occupants, with larger community-rated configurations available on request.
Typical timeline
8 to 14 weeks from signed agreement to commissioning, depending on site conditions.
Installation types
Below-grade (flush with ground), under-garage, and in-basement configurations.
A complete, turnkey shelter system.
Each storm-shelter project is specified as an integrated system, with structural, access, ventilation, and utility features defined in the project scope.
Reinforced concrete shell
Continuous poured-in-place reinforced concrete with reinforcement and material specifications selected for the site's structural and geotechnical requirements.
Reinforced entry system
Specialist door, frame, sealing, and internal-release options can be selected according to the access and protection requirements of the individual project.
Protected ventilation
Debris-baffled ventilation options with protective screens can be specified according to expected occupancy, ventilation requirements, and the individual shelter design.
Emergency power & lighting
Sealed battery-backed LED lighting and a dedicated receptacle for emergency communication devices. Optional integration with home standby generators.
Hydrostatic protection
Waterproofing configurations can incorporate membrane systems, drained cavities, and bentonite components selected according to site-specific groundwater and geotechnical conditions.
Inspection & commissioning
Project documentation, inspection records, material testing, and commissioning information are provided according to the scope and professional requirements defined for the individual project.
The numbers behind the concrete.
From first conversation to final commissioning.
Site assessment & feasibility
A project specialist can review the property, intended use, and preferred location to discuss feasibility, configuration options, and an approximate budget range.
Geotechnical investigation
We drill boreholes, take core samples, and map groundwater. The resulting report determines foundation depth, shell thickness, and waterproofing strategy.
Engineering & permitting
Project documentation and permitting support can be coordinated according to local requirements and the professional scope defined for the individual project.
Construction & commissioning
Excavation, forming, rebar placement, concrete pour, waterproofing, entry system installation, and final commissioning. You receive commissioning documentation and an operation manual according to the final project scope.
Questions we are asked most often.
Required occupancy duration, ventilation, access, and emergency provisions are considered as part of the individual shelter design. Final performance characteristics depend on the agreed project specification and site conditions.
In many cases, yes. Under-garage and in-basement installations are common, particularly on urban lots where yard space is limited. A structural assessment is required to confirm that the existing foundation can be safely modified.
The shelter can be designed as a structurally independent element with its own foundation. Final structural requirements depend on site conditions, the surrounding building, and the project-specific engineering design.
Entry systems can include internal-release mechanisms and optional secondary egress solutions, depending on the selected configuration and project requirements.
Yes. We offer annual inspection and maintenance contracts covering door gaskets, hardware, ventilation baffles, and emergency systems. Most clients schedule an inspection each spring before severe-weather season.
Request a confidential site assessment.
Our team can review your property and requirements to discuss feasibility and available configuration options. The initial consultation is complimentary and without obligation.