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Shelter safety rules and permits in Jackson

Not every "shelter" is built to the real standard. Here is how to tell.

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The 3 big standards

ICC 500 is the building standard for storm shelters. It is part of building codes.
FEMA P-361 is FEMA's guide for safe rooms. It adds extra rules on top of ICC 500.
FEMA P-320 is FEMA's guide for home safe rooms. It includes building plans.

FEMA says home safe rooms should be designed for 250 mph winds, no matter where you live.

Watch out: FEMA says it does not verify or certify safe room makers. If someone says "FEMA certified," ask for the ICC 500 test report or engineer-sealed drawings.

Permits and licenses

Inside Jackson city limits: The City of Jackson Building & Codes Department handles permits. Its code says storm shelters must meet ICC/NSSA 500.
Outside city limits (Madison County): The Madison County Building Department handles permits.
Contractor license: Tennessee requires a contractor license before bidding on jobs of $25,000 or more (labor and materials). For smaller jobs, ask your local codes office what is needed.
Check any license at verify.tn.gov.

Before anyone digs

The person digging should call 811 first so buried lines get marked.

After it is built: register it

Inside Jackson, you can register your shelter with the Jackson Fire Department. They add it to their dispatch maps so they can find you faster after a big storm. Outside the city, ask the Jackson-Madison County EMA.

Sources

What is the difference between a storm shelter and a safe room?

"Storm shelter" means it meets ICC 500. "Safe room" is FEMA's word for one that meets FEMA P-361 or P-320, which add more rules on top of ICC 500.

Is there such a thing as FEMA certified?

FEMA says it does not verify or certify safe room makers. Ask for the ICC 500 test report or engineer-sealed drawings instead.

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