Advanced Masonry Storm Shelter Design for Resilient Communities

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 | 12-1 p.m. Eastern Time
1LU/HSW

Learn the intricacies of designing storm shelters that meet ICC 500, FEMA 361, and the latest International Building Code (IBC) updates. Gain a comprehensive understanding of how masonry materials and techniques contribute to creating resilient shelters that can withstand tornadoes, hurricanes, and other severe wind events. We’ll cover jurisdictional requirements for storm shelters, including those for K-12 schools and emergency facilities. You’ll have the opportunity to explore real-world case studies that demonstrate various storm shelter locations and site-specific accommodations.

FEMA wind speed map for Storm Shelter webinar- Corey Shultz 1

Image by FEMA.

 Learning Objectives:

  • Analyze the requirements of ICC 500, FEMA 361, and the IBC, for storm shelters in K-12 schools, emergency response facilities, and community centers.
  • Examine structural design for wind loads and debris impact requirements.
  • Explore the latest edition of the codes for shelter readiness.
  • Explore the role of masonry for storm shelters, focusing on durability and occupant safety under extreme conditions.

About the Speaker

Corey Schultz, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, NSSA AP, NCARB
Vice President, Schultz Squared Architects LLC

Corey S.Corey Schultz is a 1984 graduate of the University of Kansas, a licensed architect in the states of Kansas, Colorado, Illinois, Texas, Florida, and Kentucky and is Vice-President of Schultz Squared Architects LLC in Wichita, Kansas. He has been designing storm shelters for over 34 years and is credited with designing the first safe room in the country to meet FEMA’s 250 mph wind criteria. Since then, he has over sixty tornado shelter projects to his credit that meet the FEMA P-361 and/or ICC 500 primarily associated with K-12 schools. To date, his firm has conducted 296 storm shelter peer reviews for community storm shelters from Ohio to Texas in schools, fire stations, police stations, and emergency operation centers. He also has personally conducted thirty-nine post-construction
evaluations of storm shelters and has written storm shelter maintenance and operations plans for several shelters. Corey has previously served on the steering committee for the FEMA P-361, FEMA P-320, is currently a voting member of the ICC 500 committee and has been a member since its inception. He is currently the only licensed architect on this committee. In 2019, Corey was the recipient of the National Storm Shelter Association’s (NSSA) Kiesling Award for outstanding service and contribution to the storm shelter industry. He is also an NSSA Accredited Professional with Architectural Specialty. Corey has conducted over fifty storm shelter-related seminars and continues to share his experiences and expertise with the storm shelter design community.

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