The Everest line of steel safe rooms offers unmatched protection from tornadoes and severe weather in general. Our safe rooms are the perfect solution for in-home protection. Some companies will install steel safe rooms outside on stand-alone slabs, we don’t recommend this for several reasons. If you need an outside shelter, please consider either our above-ground concrete shelters or fiberglass underground shelters. If you have a good protected slab in an existing garage or shop a safe room is a great option. If you’re building a new home, the safe room can be incorporated within the floorplan as long as it’s on a slab foundation.
Everest is manufactured by Lake Martin Storm Shelters in Alexander City, Alabama using domestic steel. Designed, engineered and thoroughly tested by Intertek Labs including projectile, wind and pressure tests to be fully compliant with FEMA P-320/361 2021 and ICC-500 2020 you can rest assured you’re investing in the best protection for your family. Everest is constructed with ¼” plate and reinforced in all corners and vertically at 2’ centers with ¼” 2x2 angle steel. The top vent covers are cut from 8” structural channel and they span the entire top tying into the internal bracing to form a complete cage structure capable of withstanding an EF-5 tornado. Our anchor flange is integral to the walls: the wall panels are bent in a press brake to form the flange instead of a welded-on angle. There is no weld to fail or seam to split at the concrete foundation. You don’t want your anchoring system to be the weak point!
FEMA now states that having a safe room inside your home or garage offers the best protection because you don’t have to go out in the weather to seek safety. You will also spend the least amount of time in a safe room in your home as compared to other types of shelters.
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Everest Safe Room Feautres
Safe Room Installation
Everest safe rooms can be installed on an existing slab in your garage or shop as long as the slab meets minimum requirements and is in good condition. We will install a safe room in a carport if that’s your only option but again the slab must meet requirements and be in good condition. Often carport slabs are not heavy enough and do not provide an adequate foundation for a safe room. We need a flat surface with minimal stress cracking. Other things to look for are attic pull-down access and GFI outlets. Placing a safe room in front of an outlet is not an issue as long as it is not a GFI outlet. If your desired location is in front of a GFI outlet you should have an electrician move it prior to your install date.
We have two basic delivery methods: our drop deck trailer for normal garage installs with a paved driveway outside the garage or our tilt deck with a Bobcat for gravel driveways, steep approaches or new construction. Average installation time is 1 to 1-1/2 hours unless we run into an unusual situation.
Once the safe room is in the desired location we use a hammer drill and 5/8”x5” wedge anchors to secure the safe room to your slab. Once we have completed the installation we will go over the door and safe room with you to be sure you’re comfortable with everything.
Safe Room Installation
If you are building a new home or incorporating a new addition to your existing home, we have many options for you to include a steel safe room in new construction plans.
If you prefer to be above ground and have the convenience of entering your safe room from the inside of your home, we can virtually put your safe room in any room you choose as long as it has a concrete slab foundation.
Lake Martin Storm Shelters coordinates with your contractor so that your safe room doesn’t delay your build. We typically set the shelter as soon as the slab is poured so that your builder can start framing immediately. We then return to anchor the safe room after the concrete has cured (which takes approximately 21 days). We do not charge extra for this second visit.
If you plan to set your safe room in your garage and not frame around it we will install the safe room once your garage is finished out. We designed the Everest line to fit through a standard 7′ tall garage door.
