Short answer. U.S. standards exist for tornado and hurricane safe rooms, not for nuclear shelters: FEMA P-361 (2021), FEMA P-320 and ICC 500-2020 1. FEMA does not certify products 1. For fallout shelters, FEMA 453 (2006) points back to Civil Defense-era documents such as FEMA TR-87, "Standards for Fallout Shelters", whose principles it calls "still applicable" 2. No current FEMA fallout shelter standard was found.
Which safe room standards exist in the U.S.?
| Document | Scope |
|---|---|
| FEMA P-361 (2021) | Safe rooms, community and residential 1 |
| FEMA P-320, "Taking Shelter from the Storm" | Residential safe rooms 1 |
| ICC 500-2020 | ICC/NSSA Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters 1 |
These three documents deal with storms: tornadoes and hurricanes 1. They do not set requirements for protection against radiation or fallout.
Is there a U.S. standard for nuclear fallout shelters?
No current FEMA fallout shelter standard was found 2. FEMA 453, "Design Guidance for Shelters and Safe Rooms" (2006), states in chapter 1: "FEMA TR-29 ...; FEMA RR-7 ...; and FEMA TR-87, Standards for Fallout Shelters are still applicable." 2 In other words, FEMA's most recent design guidance on the subject refers back to Civil Defense-era documents for the siting and design of fallout shelters 2.
How protection against fallout is measured is explained in our guide to the protection factor; air supply in shelter ventilation and NBC air filtration.
Can a shelter be "FEMA approved"?
No. FEMA does not certify products, and products may not be described as "FEMA approved" or "FEMA certified" 1. Any claim of compliance with these standards is made by the seller, not by FEMA.
How do these standards relate to building permits?
The standards describe how a safe room should be designed; the permit is issued locally. FEMA tells people to contact their local building official and to obtain proper permits and inspections 1. See building a shelter in the U.S.. Phaenyx gives no construction instructions: applying a standard to a real site is the job of a licensed engineer.
Frequently asked questions
What is FEMA P-361?
FEMA's document for safe rooms, community and residential; the edition cited is from 2021 1.
What is ICC 500?
The ICC/NSSA Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters; the edition cited by FEMA is ICC 500-2020 1.
Does a tornado safe room protect against fallout?
The safe room standards cover tornadoes and hurricanes, not radiation 1. Fallout protection is not part of their scope.
Is FEMA TR-87 still valid?
FEMA 453 (2006) calls it "still applicable" 2. No newer FEMA fallout shelter standard was found.
Sources
- FEMA — Safe Rooms — https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/safe-rooms (accessed 2026-10-20)
- FEMA / Ready.gov — FEMA 453 Design Guidance for Shelters and Safe Rooms (2006), Chapter 1: Design Considerations — https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/design-considerations-chapter-1.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for United States, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- FEMA · Safe Rooms checked 2026-10-20
- FEMA / Ready.gov · FEMA 453 Design Guidance for Shelters and Safe Rooms (2006), Chapter 1: Design Considerations checked 2026-10-20