New Day Tornado Shelters Logo

New Day Tornado Shelters Logo

Size & Shape:

Why is the New Day Shelter round?

Round for many very good reasons.

Many things are optimized by a round footprint including strength and space-efficiency.  For years I produced rectangular storm shelters, and there's nothing wrong with that, lots of companies do. But it occurred to me that we could get more shelters into garages if the shelters were not so bulky.  Space-efficiency is very important in the place where we put our cars and loads of other stuff.  Many times I have placed this concise, round safe room where no other design that I know of could have properly fit.

So, why the domed top?

Domed for strength and aerodynamics

The domed cylindrical shape of the New Day shelter really makes it tough!  Like a commercial aircraft, this form causes the metal structure to be as strong as physically possible. Also like a plane, this shelter is slick in super-high winds.  We don't think much about stationary objects needing to be aerodynamic, but certainly a safe room should be when it is in winds approaching Mach 0.4!  (Its drag coefficient is just 0.63 producing near-zero lift!)

Aren't you always safer under ground?

Above-Ground Shelters are Considered Safe if Certified

So we were told through the entire Twentieth Centrury.  Do not be afraid of above-ground shelters if they have been certified!  If anybody knows about this, Larry Tanner knows.

Should a door swing inward or outward?

This door swings out.

There are advantages to each.  In this case, the outward-swinging door is designed larger than the door opening so that gross impacts from outside cannot possibly force the door in toward the occupants.

More Articles ...

  1. How many can fit inside?
  2. How roomy is the shelter interior?
  3. What about for a larger family?
  4. Is it big enough for us?
  5. Are these space-efficient?
  6. Where is the best spot for it?
  7. New Day is the New Normal?