The state of Missouri leaves the adoption of specific IBC versions to local jurisdictions. Many municipalities in the State have adopted earlier codes and those still apply if newer codes are not adopted.  However, many municipalities are now adopting the 2018 IBC. Check with your governing building department to find out what IBC version they have adopted.

If the area your facility resides in does not have an adopted code in place, Missouri regulations require professionally licensed architects to design using the most current IBC release, which is the 2018 IBC as of publication of this fact sheet.  Therefore, the requirement of a safe room would apply. 

 Code of State Regulations:  20 CSR 2030-2.040:  Evaluation Criteria for Building Design 

 For building design, the board shall use, in the  absence  of  any  local  building  code,  the 2018  Edition  of  the  International  Building Code, as the evaluation criteria in determining the appropriate conduct for any professional licensed or regulated by this chapter and being evaluated under section 27.441.2(5), RSMo. 

There are costs associated with construction of a building able to resist the impact of 250 mph winds.  However, with an advisor familiar with the construction of Safe Rooms and smart planning, the cost to harden a space capable of housing students and staff can be only about 15-20% more than that of standard construction for the safe room portion of a building. 

ICC-500 requires 5/sf per person and 10/sf per person for handicapped individuals, net free area.  So for instance if you have a total count of 500 people and allowing for circulation, walls, desks, etc for a classroom addition, this would require an approximately 4,000-4,500 sq ft. addition.  So essentially if you are in need of classrooms, then those could easily be hardened to protect all the students and staff. 

Funding for building additions or expansion is always a challenge for School Districts.  One option that is a win-win for Districts needing to provide a safe room for upcoming expansion is to pursue a FEMA Grant.  While funding for these varies from year to year, putting in a Notice of Interest for a Grant is the first step and does not obligate the District. These grants will pay up to 75% of the cost of building a safe room.  The district would then be required to provide the 25% match as well as the costs to finish out the safe room to whatever use the district needs.   In some instances a small and impoverished community may qualify for a 90-10 Grant with the grant paying for 90% of the cost.  For a finished safe room, depending on the secondary use of the space will typically be closer to a 60-40 match with the Grant covering 60% of the total cost and the district covering 40%.

Although an existing basement may be the safest place a current facility has, it most likely does not qualify as a Safe Room.  A Safe Room must be designed to the structural standards outlined in the ICC-500 Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters. There are very specific structural requirements that typical design and construction practices would not meet.