Shelter from the storm
This year is shaping up to be a record-breaking one for tornadoes and severe weather. In just the first nine months, nearly 1300 tornadoes swept across the country. Since 2009, the International Building Code (IBC) has included standards for tornado shelters. However, not until the 2015 edition did it require certain buildings in tornado-prone areas to take additional precautionary measures. New K–12 facilities with occupant loads of 50 or more, as well as critical emergency operations, are among the structures that are now required to include a storm shelter if they reside in a 402-km/hr (250-mph) wind speed zone.