About the author  ⁄ Jeffrey D. Viano, S.E., P.E. and Connor J. Bruns, P.E., S.E.

Jeffrey D. Viano is a Senior Consulting Engineer with Simpson Gumpertz & Heger. (jdviano@sgh.com) and Connor J. Bruns, P.E., S.E. is a Senior Consulting Engineer with Simpson Gumpertz & Heger. (CJBruns@sgh.com)

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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