The Levelland City Council will be holding a public hearing on June 15 at 6 p.m. regarding adoption of Ordinance No. 1118.
Ordinance No. 1118 is to revise Article 3.100, Section 3.101 to adopt the ICC and National Storm Shelter Association’s standard (ICC/ NSSA 500) for the design and construction of storm shelters.
The ICC/NSSA 500 standard is the national consensus document and addresses the minimum design, construction, and installation requirements for tornado and hurricane storm shelters. It establishes rigorous criteria for structural integrity, impact resistance, and life safety to ensure occupants are protected during extreme windstorms This standard is intended for adoption by government agencies and organizations for use in conjunction with applicable codes to achieve uniformity in the technical design and construction of storm shelters (ICC 500 Section 101.1). ICC 500 applies to the design, construction, installation, and inspection of community and residential storm shelters. Residential storm shelters serve occupants of dwelling units and have an occupant capacity not exceeding 16 people. Community storm shelters are storm shelters that are not residential storm shelters; they may include shelters intended for use by the general public, by occupants of a specific campus or building, or a combination of both. Storm shelters are permitted to be either separate, detached buildings, or enclosed or partially enclosed within a host building.
The core significance and requirements include: Structural Integrity: Shelters must be engineered to withstand wind speeds of up to 250 mph for tornadoes and up to 200 mph for hurricanes. This includes maintaining a continuous load path and resisting heavy uplifts, overturning, and windborne debris.
Debris Impact Testing: Materials—including doors, windows, and walls—must pass severe missile impact and pressure cycling tests to prove they can withstand flying debris.
Mandatory Integration: Under the International Building Code, storm shelters are strictly required for new 911 call stations, emergency operations centers, police/ fire stations, and K-12 schools with 50 or more occupants located in 250 mph tornado wind zones.
Occupant Space & Egress: Specifies minimum space allocations (e.g. 5 sq. ft.) per standing person,10 sq. ft. for wheelchair users) and dictates compliant entry and exit paths so occupants can safely access and evacuate the structure.
Essential Life-Safety Features: Mandates requirements for ventilation, emergency lighting, access to basic sanitation (toilets), and structural fire separation (often requiring a minimum 2-hour fire-resistance rating).
Preparedness Plans: Community storm shelter owners must establish and submit emergency operations and preparedness plans to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
For complete technical provisions, access the full 2020 ICC 500 Standard published via the International Code Council.