Looks like a very nice shelter. We have a Safe Shed which is made 30 miles from home. We have a double bed built up high enough for dog kennels and porta toilet underneath. Have shelving and a gun safe. We have made it very nice.
That is something to consider. A door that opens outward uses the door-facing to to absorb impact. In my case the Fain shelter door rests upon several inches of concrete, so if a projectile hits it the impact is absorbed by the door, the locking mechanism and the door-facing. If you buy a shelter where the door opens inward you lose the door-facing in the equation, so my suggestion would be to make sure you are comfortable that the door and the locking mechanism can withstand a 200 mph projectile if you buy a shelter where the door opens inward. If you can confidently say that then an inward opening door may be a good option.
@@foxfirevalleyvineyrd ABSOLUTELY. so many people are overly concerned with being blocked in, or , if underground, trapped inside by falling debris.... the fact remains, you would be INSIDE and safe. even if it took a while for rescue to get you out.... like you stated above, if the door swung inside, the only thing holding it would be the latch or other movable items to secure it.... not very solid.
I like the below ground ones too. I think I was going for double use, being able to use this as a root cellar, but I suspect the below ground are far safer.
Hopefully I can get loan to purchase the ultimate model. I have a small hill but I may just set it above ground and strap it down. Not sure if I'll have it plumbed and run electric, becauseI have solar generator. We just had bad tornado outbreak for the second time this year. Thank you for your video and for your help
Just ordered the deluxe for Alabama lake home. Thanks for video as it helped me be more confident in purchase. As a seasoned disaster worker it is must that I have a storm shelter. Ms. Ashley who took my order was great! I placing mine on hard crush rocks that have been there for years. Do you have anchor tie downs? Thanks for video.
Glad it helped. I think strapping the shelter down is recommended for above ground installations. I cut out a hillside and I have several tons of dirt around and on it. If you don't mind I would like to make a couple of recommendations. It seems that the door hinges are the first thing to start rusting. You might want to put some extra primer on them. Second if you plan on putting anything in your shelter, like for storage, you might want to put in a dehumidifier. The shelter is like owning a cave, humidity and all. I have a house size dehumidifier in mine and I empty it every other day. At first I had a smaller one in there and it didn't stop a particle board shelf from mildewing. Oh, and you might want to stay away from putting anything that absorbs moister easily, like particle board in your shelter. Over all I am very satisfied. The company has been good to respond to my emails when I have questions. Sometimes I just go down in it and watch tv. I really like my shelter.
It is a hillside shelter covered with dirt. One totally in the ground with just the door exposed probably would be a better shelter as long as it was put somewhere that water couldn't have a major effect. A lot to consider when purchasing.
$4100 on the model I got I believe. I would have to dig up the paperwork, but I think that is right. I'm pretty sure someone else had the question and I answered it. You may want to check the comments below, but I'm pretty sure it was right around $4100.
I planted grass seed in the dirt that backfilled over the top of the shelter. I then put straw over it to keep moisture in so that it would sprout. The shelter is now covered in grass.
At last someone who admits to not checking installation and just blame the contractor, also seems you have it in a hole, do you not worry about flooding? I see you have drainage, but plan for the worst. Thankfully here in N.Ireland our weather never gets that extreme, happy new year.
You bring up a good point I didn't address in the video - drainage. I waited until it rained hard and found the low spots where the rain ran off. After it dried out I used the bucket loader and a tiller to redirect the rain flow away from the shelter. So far the shelter has had no water issues.
Another question please...my shelter is coming next week without the roof turbines. I plan to just use a cap type vent. Are you turbine rain tight?I plan to use your bright concept of led lights 👍😜Thanks!
Wouldn’t the vacuum created by a tornado directly overhead or even close to your shelter rip off the roof turbines? Hypothetical, I know, but wind suction is amazingly strong.
As an older person, I don't think I want to have to go down stairs. I have been in an underground shelter before and those steps are not easy. If a person ends up in a wheel chair, you can forget getting into one. We don't have a shelter after being within a mile of 2 different bad ones. We just go into a closet. Compared to a closet this looks way safer.
Buyer Beware purchased their ultimate underground shelter, the website shows ventilation but they have changed the design and no longer offer rooftop vents in the underground shelter. In my opinion this is an extremely poor design as allows condensation from the metal door to build up in the shelter and over time you will have standing water in your shelter from the constant rain of condensation coming off the metal door. This company should be ashamed of itself with their false advertising and cost cutting measures hurting their customers. I don't have lots of money but needed a shelter for my family now I have an expensive hole in the ground. Worst $5000 Ive ever spent.
Looks like a very nice shelter. We have a Safe Shed which is made 30 miles from home. We have a double bed built up high enough for dog kennels and porta toilet underneath. Have shelving and a gun safe. We have made it very nice.
Very nice! Illinois?
Door should open inwards, so nothing blocks you in.
That is something to consider. A door that opens outward uses the door-facing to to absorb impact. In my case the Fain shelter door rests upon several inches of concrete, so if a projectile hits it the impact is absorbed by the door, the locking mechanism and the door-facing. If you buy a shelter where the door opens inward you lose the door-facing in the equation, so my suggestion would be to make sure you are comfortable that the door and the locking mechanism can withstand a 200 mph projectile if you buy a shelter where the door opens inward. If you can confidently say that then an inward opening door may be a good option.
@@foxfirevalleyvineyrd ABSOLUTELY. so many people are overly concerned with being blocked in, or , if underground, trapped inside by falling debris.... the fact remains, you would be INSIDE and safe. even if it took a while for rescue to get you out.... like you stated above, if the door swung inside, the only thing holding it would be the latch or other movable items to secure it.... not very solid.
A better option would seem to be one that slides horizontally.
@@foxfirevalleyvineyrd FEMA standards call for the door opening inward.
@@inthedarkwoods2022 If you have questions about compliance reach out to Fain. According to what was conveyed to me they are FEMA complaint.
Looks like a nice shelter . I have one underground , but kind of wish I had one that was above ground. Oh,enjoyed the bonus footage towards the end!
I like the below ground ones too. I think I was going for double use, being able to use this as a root cellar, but I suspect the below ground are far safer.
We also keep a deck of cards and dice to play when we are in it all night. Southern Illinois gets hammered frequently by storms.
I grew up in Perry County.
Hopefully I can get loan to purchase the ultimate model. I have a small hill but I may just set it above ground and strap it down. Not sure if I'll have it plumbed and run electric, becauseI have solar generator. We just had bad tornado outbreak for the second time this year. Thank you for your video and for your help
Seems like the really bad weather is happening more often.
Just ordered the deluxe for Alabama lake home. Thanks for video as it helped me be more confident in purchase. As a seasoned disaster worker it is must that I have a storm shelter. Ms. Ashley who took my order was great! I placing mine on hard crush rocks that have been there for years. Do you have anchor tie downs? Thanks for video.
Glad it helped. I think strapping the shelter down is recommended for above ground installations. I cut out a hillside and I have several tons of dirt around and on it. If you don't mind I would like to make a couple of recommendations. It seems that the door hinges are the first thing to start rusting. You might want to put some extra primer on them. Second if you plan on putting anything in your shelter, like for storage, you might want to put in a dehumidifier. The shelter is like owning a cave, humidity and all. I have a house size dehumidifier in mine and I empty it every other day. At first I had a smaller one in there and it didn't stop a particle board shelf from mildewing. Oh, and you might want to stay away from putting anything that absorbs moister easily, like particle board in your shelter. Over all I am very satisfied. The company has been good to respond to my emails when I have questions. Sometimes I just go down in it and watch tv. I really like my shelter.
That looks like a good one!
I’m not sure about the fact that the structure is not below ground level.
It is a hillside shelter covered with dirt. One totally in the ground with just the door exposed probably would be a better shelter as long as it was put somewhere that water couldn't have a major effect. A lot to consider when purchasing.
Yeah, another electric pipe would be nice, because you could use it for coax going to a 2 way radio.
Absolutely. I wish the pipe would have been just a little bigger.
thanks for the video i would add a L shaped covered hallway to the front .it would not be that hard to drill a hole for a bigger electrical cable
How much did the shelter cost you? Thanks for sharing
$4100 on the model I got I believe. I would have to dig up the paperwork, but I think that is right. I'm pretty sure someone else had the question and I answered it. You may want to check the comments below, but I'm pretty sure it was right around $4100.
@@foxfirevalleyvineyrdthat's not bad at all!
I AM IN TRENTON, TN. I AM THINKING OF GETTING ONE FROM THEM. IS MOISTURE INSIDE A PROBLEM? DOES THE DOOR SEAL WELL ENOUGH TO KEEP BUGS OUT?
I keep a dehumidifier in mine. It’s like owning a small cave, so there is moisture. The door is strong but there is no rubber seal so bugs can get in.
@@foxfirevalleyvineyrd GOOD IDEA
First tornado all that straw is gone why put it on there? And why not put this under ground I’m just curious but nice shelter
I planted grass seed in the dirt that backfilled over the top of the shelter. I then put straw over it to keep moisture in so that it would sprout. The shelter is now covered in grass.
Straw can easily catch fire
@@martinpaquet9958he did it to grow grass.
At last someone who admits to not checking installation and just blame the contractor, also seems you have it in a hole, do you not worry about flooding? I see you have drainage, but plan for the worst. Thankfully here in N.Ireland our weather never gets that extreme, happy new year.
You bring up a good point I didn't address in the video - drainage. I waited until it rained hard and found the low spots where the rain ran off. After it dried out I used the bucket loader and a tiller to redirect the rain flow away from the shelter. So far the shelter has had no water issues.
We put a piece of foam like you put around pipes up there to keep from conking our heads
Good use of pipe insulation. Forget the whales, save the Noggin! haha
Another question please...my shelter is coming next week without the roof turbines. I plan to just use a cap type vent. Are you turbine rain tight?I plan to use your bright concept of led lights 👍😜Thanks!
Yep, I've never had a drop of rain come through the turbines.
Wouldn’t the vacuum created by a tornado directly overhead or even close to your shelter rip off the roof turbines? Hypothetical, I know, but wind suction is amazingly strong.
Did u go into it during the December storms
Every time the weather turns bad I go in there. Got to get my moneys worth out of it.
What is this doesn’t this defeat the purpose aren’t these supposed to be underground?
As an older person, I don't think I want to have to go down stairs. I have been in an underground shelter before and those steps are not easy. If a person ends up in a wheel chair, you can forget getting into one. We don't have a shelter after being within a mile of 2 different bad ones. We just go into a closet. Compared to a closet this looks way safer.
I have two friends that ordered one over a year ago, still no shelter and cant get anyone to answer the phone
Buyer Beware
purchased their ultimate underground shelter, the website shows ventilation but they have changed the design and no longer offer rooftop vents in the underground shelter. In my opinion this is an extremely poor design as allows condensation from the metal door to build up in the shelter and over time you will have standing water in your shelter from the constant rain of condensation coming off the metal door. This company should be ashamed of itself with their false advertising and cost cutting measures hurting their customers. I don't have lots of money but needed a shelter for my family now I have an expensive hole in the ground. Worst $5000 Ive ever spent.
What was the final price on that ??
I think it was around $4100 on the model I got. I didn't get the largest, but the next to the largest.
@@foxfirevalleyvineyrd not to bad
They quoted me 4100 and this is for the deluxe
Hmmm...no toilet? Even a composting one?
No potty. Must where Depends. Ha!
@@foxfirevalleyvineyard2642 I guess there once could have a big pail to use.
Bucket lined with a garbage bag filled with kitty litter is all you need.
That door frame is weak