Context on storm shelters and LEED

Usually what we do during the design process is to have the architect classify all rooms as being: regularly occupied, not occupied, classroom learning space, individual workstations, multi-occupant space, high density spaces, etc. In the case of storm shelters, we are very unclear as to how this falls. Yes, for the purpose of daylighting, we hope that we'll be able to exclude these spaces. However, in the case of thermal comfort, we're not sure what to do. This space is being built into the side of the hill on the second floor of 4 floors of a new high school building. Funding for the storm shelter is primarily coming from FEMA. FEMA requires that the space not be used for anything else (i.e. exercise room, meeting space, etc.). In addition, storm shelters built in Arkansas for tornadoes are different from storm shelters built for hurricanes. Students are only in tornado shelters for a few minutes at a time. Hurricane shelters may be used for days. As such, the ventilation requirements are much lower for these rooms. Plus, they may get used 6 times during tornado season each year, or never get used. So, they seem to me to be unoccupied. This is how we will be submitting it, as non-regularly occupied. It seems difficult for me to imaging that LEED will regulate these spaces over what FEMA may require since they are considered by FEMA as life-saving spaces. Any guidance is helpful!

Thank you, Tristan. We intend to do so. Unfortunately, I just got an email saying that the FEMA money may not come through after all. If it does not, then the school won't build the room anyway! Again, thanks for your help and timely response!