Quick Answer:
The best storm shelter location is close enough to reach quickly, while still allowing safe installation around utilities, septic systems, drainage, and equipment access. Sprague’s Backhoe helps Oklahoma homeowners evaluate practical placement for above-ground and below-ground shelters based on the property and installation requirements.
Where should you put your storm shelter?
Ideally, somewhere you can reach quickly without creating problems with utilities, septic systems, drainage, or installation equipment.
A spot near a back door, garage door, or shop can work well, but every Oklahoma property is different. The best location is the one that balances easy access for your family with safe access for installation.
Start With How Quickly You Can Reach the Shelter
During a tornado warning, you don’t want a long trip across the property.
Look for a location reasonably close to the part of the home you normally occupy. Back doors and garage areas are common starting points, but accessibility matters more than choosing one particular side of the house.
Think about everyone who may need to reach the shelter, including children, older adults, pets, and anyone with mobility limitations.
Check Utilities Before Choosing the Final Location
Underground utilities can quickly rule out an otherwise perfect-looking spot.
OKIE811 can locate participating public utilities, but private lines may not be included. Homeowners need to identify private utilities and property features such as:
- Private water or well lines
- Septic tanks and lateral fields
- Sprinkler systems
- Propane lines
- Private electrical lines
- Other homeowner-installed underground lines
Sprague’s Backhoe recommends having a Plan A and Plan B location whenever possible. A utility conflict is much easier to deal with when you’ve already considered another spot.
Make Sure the Installation Equipment Can Get There
A good location for your family isn’t useful if the installation equipment can’t reach it.
For above-ground installations, Sprague’s Backhoe’s crane truck needs approximately:
- 10 feet of width along the drive-in path
- 14 feet of vertical clearance along the path
- Room for outriggers on each side of the truck
- Approximately 20 to 25 feet of overhead clearance above the truck while setting the shelter
The crane is rear-set, meaning the shelter is placed from the rear of the truck rather than off the side.
Fences, gates, trees, power lines, carports, buildings, trailers, and other obstacles should all be considered before choosing the final location.
Above-Ground Storm Shelter Placement
Above-ground storm shelters offer flexibility because there is no excavation for the shelter itself.
Sprague’s Backhoe installs these shelters directly on suitable ground and secures them with steel anchors driven into the ground. A poured concrete foundation is not required.
Utility locations still matter because of the anchoring system, and the crane truck must be able to reach a position where the shelter can be safely set.
Below-Ground Storm Shelter Placement
Placement becomes more important with a below-ground storm shelter because excavation is required.
The location needs to avoid underground utilities and septic components while also taking drainage and normal water flow across the property into consideration.
Below-ground shelters are not airtight or watertight, so placing one in an obvious low spot where water collects is not a good idea.
What About Septic Systems?
Storm shelter placement and equipment access both need to account for the septic system.
Heavy installation equipment should not be driven across septic tanks or lateral fields. The shelter itself also needs to be positioned where excavation or anchoring will not interfere with septic components.
If you aren’t sure where your septic system is located, don’t guess. Locate it before installation day. If you aren’t sure how, contact us and we can try to help.
Do Storm Shelters Have Property Setback Requirements?
They can.
Permit and setback requirements vary by city and property, so there isn’t one Oklahoma-wide measurement that applies to every storm shelter installation.
Before finalizing placement, check with the authority that has jurisdiction over your property to determine whether a permit, setback, or other placement requirement applies.
Common Storm Shelter Placement Mistakes
- Choosing a low area where water already collects
- Forgetting about private underground utilities
- Ignoring septic tanks or lateral fields
- Measuring the installation spot but not the equipment access route
- Forgetting about overhead power lines or tree limbs
- Choosing a location that’s inconvenient to reach during a warning
- Assuming a city setback applies everywhere in Oklahoma
Frequently Asked Questions
How close should a storm shelter be to the house?
Close enough that your household can reach it quickly, while still meeting installation, utility, drainage, and any local setback requirements. There isn’t one distance that’s best for every property.
Can a storm shelter be installed next to my back door?
Possibly. Back doors are popular because they can provide quick access, but utilities, septic components, equipment access, drainage, and local requirements still have to be considered.
Can a below-ground storm shelter go on a slope?
In some cases, yes. The exact location still needs to be evaluated for drainage, excavation access, utilities, and surrounding property conditions.
Can installation equipment drive over my septic system?
No. Installation equipment should not be driven over septic tanks or lateral fields. Make sure the septic system location is known before installation.
Do I need a permit for a storm shelter in Oklahoma?
It depends on the city or jurisdiction. The property owner should check local permit and placement requirements before installation when required.
Can a storm shelter be installed over a utility line?
Utility conflicts need to be evaluated before installation. Above-ground anchoring and below-ground excavation can both be affected by underground lines, so utilities should be located before the final placement is confirmed.
Key Takeaways
- Choose a location your household can reach quickly.
- Locate public and private underground utilities before installation.
- Keep installation equipment off septic tanks and lateral fields.
- Consider the entire equipment access route, not just the shelter location.
- Avoid obvious low spots for below-ground shelters.
- Check local permit and setback requirements instead of relying on one statewide rule.
- Have a backup location in case your first choice has a utility or access conflict.
Not sure where your shelter will fit? Contact Sprague’s Backhoe at (405) 600-4905 to discuss your Oklahoma property and storm shelter installation.
