In December 2020, the International Code Council, Inc. (ICC) and National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) jointly published the third edition of the ICC/NSSA 500 Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters. Referenced in the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), ICC 500-2020 establishes minimum design, construction, and inspection requirements for tornado and hurricane storm shelters. This article reviews when a storm shelter is required, the significant changes in the 2020 edition, and how the changes impact the practicing structural engineer.
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