FEMA 453 Design Guidance for Shelters and Safe Rooms

For tornado shelters, the most critical use of emergency power is
for lighting. Emergency power may also be required in order to
meet the ventilation requirements described in Chapter 3 and
Section 1.7.1. The user of the shelter should set this requirement
for special needs facilities, but most tornado shelters would not
require additional emergency power.
For hurricane shelters, emergency power may be required for
both lighting and ventilation. This is particularly important for
shelters in hospitals and other special needs facilities. Therefore,
a backup generator is recommended. Any generator relied on for
emergency power should be protected with an enclosure designed
to the same criteria as the shelter.
As illustrated in the previous sections, the manmade hazards
shelter design criteria require an adjustment to the traditional
design process for natural hazard shelters. The shelter location,
operation, and life-cycle costs are now significantly coupled to the
community, first responders, and government plans and procedures
for mass casualty response and recovery; Federal and local
laws for criminal investigation; and the unique site and building
design parameters and level of protection that is desired.
1.8.3 route marking and Wayfinding
Route marking or wayfinding in an emergency situation such as
total darkness has historically relied on fire exit lighting. A new
technology that is being adopted by many cities is photoluminescent
exit path marking. These photoluminescent self-adhesive
signs and tapes are very visible during the day and will glow for up
to 8 hours after the light source is removed. These signs have durable,
permanent, and renewable fluorescence. Figure 1-11 shows
sample signs.
1-40 design considerations