By Jim Lewis��

Across much of the United States, storm shelters are no longer a future consideration for K–12 school districts. They are a present-day requirement, driven by evolving building codes, intensifying weather patterns and growing expectations that schools serve as community safe havens.��

In high-wind regions, especially across the Southeast, storm shelters sit at the intersection of life safety, schedule certainty and durability. The question is no longer whether to build them, but how to deliver shelters that meet stringent performance standards without disrupting project timelines.��

Projects like the storm shelter at Saraland High School in Saraland, Ala., reflect a broader shift in how districts approach severe weather resilience — and why many are turning to precast concrete to meet those demands.��

Codes, Compliance and Rising Expectations��

The regulatory framework surrounding storm shelters has tightened over the past decade. Under the International Building Code, K–12 schools classified as Group E occupancies with more than 50 occupants must include storm shelters in designated high-wind regions. These requirements reference ICC 500, the national standard for storm shelter design and construction, along with FEMA P-361 guidelines for life safety performance.��

These standards leave little margin for error. ICC 500-compliant shelters must withstand wind speeds up to 250 mph, equivalent to an EF-5 tornado. Meeting those demands requires close coordination among architects, structural engineers and construction partners.��

Storm shelters are one of the few building components where there is no partial credit. The structure either performs as designed under extreme load or it fails, and that failure is not something uncovered during routine inspection.

Because of that, owners are placing greater emphasis on documented performance. They want the same level of rigor in system selection that engineers apply in design, prioritizing proven outcomes over theoretical predictions.��

Precast Concrete’s Role in Life Safety Design��

Precast concrete continues to gain traction in storm shelter applications because it addresses both structural and logistical challenges. Manufactured in controlled environments, precast components provide consistent quality and tight tolerances — critical when designing for extreme wind and impact resistance.��

It also brings a clear schedule advantage. Panels can be produced concurrently with site work, and once delivered, installation moves quickly. That allows projects to reach enclosure sooner and keeps timelines aligned.��

In K–12 construction, that schedule certainty matters. Delays are not just inconveniences — they introduce risk. When a school does not open on time, districts face operational disruption, safety concerns and community pressure. Owners are not simply buying speed; they are investing in predictability. Precast offers a level of certainty where delivery, sequencing and performance are defined in advance, reducing the chance of downstream delays.��

Case Study: Saraland High School Storm Shelter��

In 2024, the Saraland City Board of Education initiated plans for a new storm shelter at Saraland High School to meet updated code requirements. Located in a high-risk wind zone along the Gulf Coast, the district prioritized durability, reliability and speed of delivery.��

The 17,894-square-foot facility, designed by McKee & Associates Architects and constructed by Waverly Construction of Alabama LLC, was built to protect students, staff and nearby residents during severe weather events.��

The project relied on a total precast concrete approach for its core structure. Components were manufactured off-site and delivered ready for installation, allowing erection to move quickly once foundations were in place.��

Installation began May 8, 2025, and the precast structure was erected in just three weeks. That timeline allowed other trades to mobilize earlier and helped the project stay aligned with strict K–12 scheduling requirements. The value extended beyond speed — owners could rely on a defined sequence and predictable outcomes from start to finish.��

Beyond Shelter: Flexibility and Future Use��

Modern storm shelters are rarely single-purpose spaces. Districts expect them to serve daily functions when not activated for emergencies, including gymnasiums, cafeterias, testing centers and community gathering spaces.��

Precast supports that flexibility. Panels can be customized to align with surrounding architecture, and interior layouts can be adapted for multiple uses. At Saraland High School, the shelter was designed with that versatility in mind, ensuring it remains an active part of campus life.��

Scalability is another advantage. Modular precast systems allow districts to expand capacity over time without starting from scratch, aligning long-term planning with enrollment growth and budget cycles.��

A Community Asset, Not Just a Compliance Measure��

As extreme weather events increase in frequency and severity, storm shelters are taking on a broader civic role. Many districts coordinate with municipalities to open school shelters to surrounding communities during emergencies.��

Properly designed shelters can significantly reduce tornado-related fatalities for those inside protected spaces. That reality reinforces why these structures are no longer viewed as optional upgrades, but as essential infrastructure.��

For K–12 leaders, storm shelters demand the same level of rigor as any critical building system. Material selection, delivery method and construction sequencing all carry life safety implications.��

Projects like the storm shelter at Saraland High School demonstrate how districts can meet those expectations while maintaining schedule control and design flexibility. As codes evolve and risks increase, storm-resilient construction will remain a defining factor in school design.��

Jim Lewis is a Registered Architect and Sales Manager at Tindall Corporation. This article was sponsored by Tindall Corporation. To learn more, visit .

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Public and private schools across the country have a growing situation to solve: While increased enrollment benefits a school, filling classrooms beyond capacity is not conducive to a positive learning environment. Some schools have expanded with portable buildings placed onsite. Although functional, these buildings are not always aesthetically pleasing or safe during inclement weather, and the long-term costs from multiple replacements are a factor.

of this article discussed The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Fla. — which added three modular trailer-type buildings to its Middle School Bartram Campus in the 1990s for needed classroom space. The campus underwent another change in 2016 when the structures were replaced with a unique custom-engineered precast concrete solution to create the new science and technology building, called Tarver Hall.

Project requirements included that the building be completed during summer 2016, when students were not on campus. The building was also required to meet or exceed building codes, wind loads and wind standards, and the project could not impact existing oak trees on the site.

Leesburg Concrete Co. Inc., of Leesburg, Fla., drew from its 30 years of experience in the education market to take on the challenging. An Easi-Set Building licensed producer, the company embraced the project as an opportunity to put its innovative and technology-driven savvy to the test with a highly custom-engineered building designed to match the existing campus aesthetic.

Precast Concepts

Schools in high-wind zones have special building considerations, but structures across the country can use precast concrete buildings to address their own environmental conditions. Easi-Set and Easi-Span precast buildings, made by Midland, Va.-based Easi-Set Worldwide, for instance, are composed of 100 percent concrete with UL-752 level 5 ballistics-resistant components, and many larger buildings are certified by third-party engineers.

Precast concrete buildings are available with a range of interior and exterior outfitting options, including HVAC, lighting, plumbing and electricity. Further customization is available throughout a building from the walls to the roof and the floor. Different textures and colors allow design goals to be achieved.

“Just like at Bolles Middle School, aesthetics can be matched or something totally unique can be created,” said Chris Reese, an engineer with Easi-Set Worldwide. “Customization is something that Easi-Set producers do so well, and they work with each customer to ensure a building is a perfect fit for its environment.”

Compared to other structures, precast concrete buildings can be installed faster. The length of time depends of the size of the building, but a typical install takes days, not weeks. Costs are less than other building methods because precast concrete is an fast and efficient way to build, saving time and money during the manufacturing process and on a jobsite.

School officials should consider that Easi-Set Buildings are available for a wide range of campus needs, including classrooms, concessions stands, dugouts, restrooms, storage facilities and more. They also should note that not all manufacturers create structures to the same level of quality. Building owners should work with producers and their design team to compare manufacturers’ practices, testing and capabilities to ensure quality standards are met.

Lessons Learned

At Bolles, the team had 70 days to complete the entire project, so it was ready for the start of a new school year. The site prep alone took three weeks. The fully fitted and landscaped Tarver Hall met the completion date on time with the structure set in less than three weeks.

Leesburg Concrete has manufactured many precast concrete buildings, but this truly unique facility showcases the staff’s level of experience and ingenuity when presented with unique circumstances.

“We could not have turned over a completely pre-assembled structure to the school because that would not have met its needs,” Kirk Rouse, vice president of Leesburg Concrete said. “We took what we do well and worked with our Easi-Set team to build a strong floor base for the building, while we engineered the roof and walls to blend in with the campus and stand up to Mother Nature. This project was a learning experience for all of us, and the final outcome is a testament to our level of commitment to each customer.”

Kate Gawlik is a freelance writer based in Lockport, Ill., specializing in all things construction, design and engineering.

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