Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ – PFX Storm Shelters
Have a tornado or tornado shelter question you don’t see here?  Use our Contact Us Page to ask your question and have it answered.

What makes PFX above ground shelters better/safer than below ground shelters?
  • Being above ground allows for faster and easier access inside your shelter.
  • There are no stairs to walk up or down, which can be difficult for families with elderly, handicapped, or small children.
  • There is no heavy door to pick up.
  • You avoid excavation costs associated with below ground shelters.
  • Above ground shelters have no risk of flooding or floating up due to ground water.
  • Our bolt together design allows for a shelter to be placed almost anywhere in your home.
  • Our above ground shelters can be installed into existing spaces/closets, in your garage, or during new construction.
  • We require no heavy equipment on site for installation.
What are the most important things to look for in an above ground storm shelter?
  • Extremely secure/safe Door Assembly – Our door is ¼” material with 3 heavy duty 1” double shear hinges, which is the strongest hinge system on the market.
  • Wall/Roof Strength – ours are 3/16” thick material with reinforcements every 12”.
  • Anchoring system – We use the strongest on the market, a ¾” anchor bolt, which provides over 10,000 lbs pull out strength per anchor.
Why is it important to purchase a shelter that has an inward opening door?
  • Debris can be thrown against your storm shelter during a storm, an inward opening door prevents entrapment from this debris.
  • Inward opening doors also allows for faster, easier entry into the shelter.  If a tornado is approaching every second counts.
Is PFX Storm Shelters members of the ATSA or the NSSA?
Yes!  We joined the American Tornado Shelter Association (ATSA) in the Fall of 2016.  We are now an approved producer/installer member and are able to work with all FEMA Grants.  Visit the ATSA Website for more information.
What happens if I move, can I take my shelter with me?
YES! Another advantage to having an above ground, bolt together storm shelter/is that it can be unbolted, moved, and reinstalled in your new location.
Are your shelters certified by FEMA?
Federal Law prohibits FEMA from certifying any product. Some competitors might claim to be certified by FEMA but those claims are misleading.

Any contractors, individuals, or firms who state they are “FEMA approved” or “FEMA certified” are incorrect. FEMA does provide criteria for ensuring the safety and reliability of tornado shelters.

PFX Storm Shelters meet or exceeds all of FEMA’s provided criteria in our shelters. Our shelters are tested to withstand EF5 level winds/debris at Texas Tech University and meet or exceed the criteria in FEMA P-320, FEMA P-361, and ICC-500

What are the concrete slab requirements for installation?
All shelters must be installed on a reinforced, concrete slab, with foundation, that is a minimum of 3.5” thick, per FEMA P-361.
How does your storm shelter attach to the concrete?
Each panel is secured with a ¾” anchor bolt, which provides over 10,000 lbs pull out strength per anchor. Our 4’x6’ shelter alone has 17 anchor bolts holding it down, that’s over 170,000lbs. of pull out strength!
Can you install your shelter on a slab that has post tension cables?
Yes, we have specialized equipment that can locate post tension cables to insure they are not damaged during installation.
What does 'Tornado Alley' actually mean?
While ‘Tornado Alley’ is not an official term, it is widely used in the media to describe a wide swath of tornado-prone areas between the Rocky Mountains and Appalachian Mountains that frequently experience tornadoes.  Visit the NOAA Website for more information on tornado alley.
Is North Texas considered to be part of Tornado Alley?

While ‘Tornado Alley’ isn’t a an official weather term, it is used by many to describe the area of the US that tornados occur most often. It doesn’t have specific boundaries, but it starts in central Texas and goes north through Oklahoma, central Kansas and Nebraska, and eastern South Dakota.

PFX proudly offers bolt together storm shelters made in the USA
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