Since Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds are used in the Ohio Safe Room Rebate Program, the requirements of this federal program apply. You must apply for funding, and receive a written notice to proceed with construction/installation from Ohio EMA before the purchase of a safe room or beginning any construction. Rebate Can I still apply for funding through the Ohio Safe Room Rebate Program after I have begun construction of a safe room or purchased a safe room? HMA funds are available on an annual basis. However, community safe rooms are eligible for funding through the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant program. Are community safe rooms eligible for a rebate through the Ohio Safe Room Rebate Program?Ĭommunity safe rooms are not eligible for a rebate through the Ohio Safe Room Rebate Program. If your house or neighborhood is prone to flooding, the basement may not be an appropriate location for taking refuge. The flood risk of your location may also affect whether it is appropriate to place a safe room in your basement. A basement may be the safest place to seek shelter for homes without a safe room, but it will not provide the same level of protection as a safe room unless it has been designed and constructed to provide the level of protection in accordance with FEMA 320 and/or FEMA 361.Ī basement is a good location to install a shelter or build a safe room, but access for handicapped or physically challenged individuals may be limited. What constitutes an acceptable level of protection is an individual decision. Some strong tornadoes have resulted in loss of floor framing, collapse of basement walls, and death and injuries to individuals taking refuge in a basement. Homeowners should also refer to the Safe Room Risk Based on Wind Zones Table (Table 2-1) in FEMA 320 this is an easy-to-use matrix that helps users decide whether a safe room is a matter of preference, should be considered, or is the preferred method for protection from extreme winds. Pages 5 through 11 of FEMA 320 provide background information to help homeowners decide if a safe room is needed in their home. All pre-manufactured safe rooms must include specific language or a notification in the engineered building drawings that certify that the safe room has been designed in compliance with FEMA 320 and/or FEMA 361. Additionally, all applicable Federal, State, and local codes must be followed this includes the Ohio Residential Building Code and ICC 500-2014 (ICC/NSSA Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters). To be considered a FEMA safe room, the structure must be designed and constructed to the guidelines specified in FEMA 320, Taking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe Room for Your Home or Small Business (FEMA, Fourth edition, 2014) (for home and small business safe rooms) and FEMA 361, Design and Construction Guidance for Community Safe Rooms (FEMA, Third edition, 2015). The level of protection provided by a safe room is a function of its design parameters, specifically the design wind speed and resulting wind pressure and the wind-borne debris load resistance. General What is a safe room? What are the design requirements for a FEMA safe room?Ī safe room is a hardened structure specifically designed to meet FEMA criteria and provide "near-absolute protection" in extreme weather events, including tornadoes and hurricanes. Please contact the Ohio EMA Mitigation Branch if you have questions or need additional information. The intent of the questions and answers below is to provide clarification on the Ohio Safe Room Rebate Program rules and information and answers to frequently asked questions about safe rooms and FEMA safe room guidance.
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