Crawl Space as Shelter

[BrownDog]

Need to get ideas or opinions.

My house has a 4 foot crawl space which I had Americrawl "encapsulate" 3 years ago. I use it for storage and has a dehumidifier placed in the space. Access is through a closet under the main stairs.

Could or should I use this as a tornado shelter?

[melensdad]

Depends. It may be good if it is somehow reinforced. Water pipes, if metal (plastic pipes are worthless) are pretty good at reinforcing areas. On the other hand if it is pretty much a clear span, or a semi-clear span then I would suggest that your house may end up on top of you. In a basement shelter you can also reasonably expect the house to come down on you but there are often both vertical and horizontal reinforcements (both wood and pipes) that can give you a sheltered area while the house comes down around you and leaves you safe.

Remember the old saying of staying in a doorway? The logic is simple, doorways are reinforced with double 2x4s on either side an a stout header over the top. Think of a basement, or in your case the crawlspace in the same way as a doorway. Is there a spot that is somehow reinforced? If not, can you reinforce part of it, say an 8' by 8' corner so if the house comes down around you, you and your family will be crouched in that area that is reinforced from collapse?

[AFA1CY]

I agree, I would not use it for a shelter. Also it would be real easy to get trapped if you needed to make a quick exit. Interior bathroom or closet is best.

<----- SkyWarn / Storm Chaser

[flagtag]

Originally Posted by AFA1CY

I agree, I would not use it for a shelter. Also it would be real easy to get trapped if you needed to make a quick exit. Interior bathroom or closet is best.

<----- SkyWarn / Storm Chaser

An alternate exit would also help - like to the outside (away from trees/power lines). Like an escape tunnel?

[obijohn]

i think it could be made into a viable shelter. as has been pointed out, you'll need to have alternate ingress/egress. you will also need to support the floor. without looking at the arrangement, i would guess a 10 or 12 foot square area with the floor above shored with blocks or posts would work. all that being said, it would be better than nothing.