Rockvale, in southwest Rutherford County, has gone from mostly farmland to one of the county's busiest areas for new homes. If you're building in Rockvale, or buying a home that's still under construction, you have a chance most homeowners don't: to build a safe room into the house from the start.
Why build it in?
FEMA notes that adding a safe room to an existing home costs more than including one during new construction. Built-in safe rooms can also be more convenient: a reinforced walk-in closet, pantry or bathroom you use every day, a few steps from the bedrooms, rather than a unit in the garage.
How a built-in safe room works
- It sits on the home's concrete slab, or on its own reinforced slab, with anchoring designed to resist uplift.
- Walls are reinforced concrete, concrete block filled with grout and rebar, or steel or wood framing with tested protective panels.
- The ceiling is built as a protective roof, separate from the house roof.
- A tested storm door assembly replaces the normal closet door.
FEMA P-320, "Taking Shelter from the Storm," includes prescriptive safe room designs builders can use, and FEMA P-361 sets the criteria. Ask your builder whether they've built one before and who will engineer it.
Questions for your builder
- Can the room go on a slab section? (Crawl space homes need a separate slab for it.)
- Which design or engineered plan will you follow, and will you document compliance with FEMA P-361 / ICC 500?
- Which tested door assembly will you use?
- How does the room affect the price and schedule?
Already moved in?
If your Rockvale home is finished, a garage safe room or garage floor shelter is the usual retrofit. Many lots in this part of the county have limestone near the surface, so an in-ground or garage floor shelter may hit rock; an above-ground room avoids digging. See building on Rutherford County rock.
Public shelter nearby
Rutherford County has opened public storm shelters at some fire, rescue and EMA stations during tornado watches, including one on TN Highway 99 in Rockvale. Pets generally aren't allowed (service animals are), and openings are announced by the county. A public shelter is a backup, not a substitute for a plan at home: you need to get there well before a warning.
Get a quote
Tell us whether you're building or retrofitting, your ZIP code and household size. One installer who covers Rockvale will contact you. See the cost guide.
Common questions
Can a safe room be added to a home that is already framed?
Often, if the slab is still accessible or the room can sit on the garage slab. Talk to your builder as early as possible; changes get harder after drywall.
Does a built-in safe room need a special door?
Yes. The door assembly, including frame, hinges and latches, must be tested for tornado wind and debris impact. A normal closet door offers no protection.
Is there a public storm shelter in Rockvale?
The county has opened public shelters at some public safety stations during tornado watches, including one in Rockvale. Check county announcements for openings.