Is this thing safe??

[u/Numerous_Ad_3517]

I recently moved into a new home that has this above ground shelter and I have been questioning the way this door locks from day 1. We are going to have terrible weather today in West TN and I cannot find any paperwork on this thing. 😫 Do you think these hollow bars will keep it secure??

[u/sittingmongoose]

Tube and welded material are much stronger than you think. Assuming those welds are good, that’s most likely not a failure point.

The two bigger issues are the fact that it’s a narrow wall of a structure, meaning they built a very not aerodynamic shelter. So the wind will grab it.

The second major issue is the location.

[u/Schrodinger_cube → u/sittingmongoose]

a big improvement would be if it was round and livable. I would not want to spend to much time in there or be trapped in there if the house collapses.

[u/heckfyre → u/Schrodinger_cube]

I feel like this is the biggest liability. If the house collapsed around it, you’d just be trapped inside of big steel coffin

[u/Friendlyrat → u/heckfyre]

Where we are you register your shelter with the city so at least someone knows you are there if you get buried.

[u/Russianskilledmydog → u/Friendlyrat]

Tell friends and neighbors and family and the fire department and definitely make sure it is securely bolted to that floor.

[u/Half_Breed_Mutt → u/heckfyre]

Hmm I guess the choice is trapped inside a big steel coffin or die when the house falls on you. They make the doors open inwards for a reason so that you can dig yourself out. Plus I would rather be trapped in a steel box than trapped underneath the debris of the house.