How Close to a Foundation Can a Storm Cellar Be Built?

Storm Cellar Code

• No building codes exist specifically for storm cellars. This means that no formalized guidelines, rules or laws exist to govern how to build storm cellars. Therefore, you can ostensibly install a storm cellar as close as you want to your home's foundation. However, despite this lack of building codes governing storm cellar placement, local building codes may affect how closely you can put your cellar to your foundation. Meanwhile, storm cellar placement guidelines, such as those proposed by FEMA, stipulate ideal locations for cellars, which may help you decide how far to place cellar from your foundation.

Building Codes

• When you build a storm cellar independent of any other structure, you must create a concrete foundation for it. Check local, county and state building codes for information about how close you can place foundations to one another, and how much space you need between foundations and things like septic tanks and plumbing systems. All of these affect how close a storm cellar can be to a home's foundation. Pouring a new concrete foundation on your property also requires building permits and a site inspection

Storm Cellar Placement

• Various guides to storm shelters exist, including a 374-page document prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. These documents all provide information on the ideal placement for storm shelters. An open area as far as possible from the debris path is the best area for a storm cellar, according to aforementioned sources, which include FEMA. Because of this, you should avoid placing your storm cellar too close to your basement, because debris flying off your house can easily land on the doors to a storm cellar and trap you inside. Though placement guidelines are neither laws nor rules, they exist to help you stay safe.

Incorporated Cellars

• Incorporated storm cellars are shelters incorporated into the framework of your home. You can install these cellars as safe rooms in your basement or as full storm cellars built into the foundation of your home. Installers incorporate these storm cellars by cutting into garage floors or basement walls to access the foundation. Or, you can purchase a storm cellar during the construction of your home and install it while the house is built. An incorporated storm cellar comprises part of your home and attaches to, or installs into, the foundation, in many cases.