When working on a design/build project, a firm grasp of its intended purpose is critical to get the project’s design and estimate on the right track early. Recently, I participated in a discussion with a gas facility’s project team to establish design parameters for a control room project.
As I took notes, I noticed that the terms “shelter-in-place” and “safe haven” were being used interchangeably to describe the building’s attributes by members of the team, as if they were the same. I immediately recognized the need to research the designations to educate the team on the unique characteristics of each.
After some research, here’s what I found.
The Safe Haven Designation
Areas or buildings designated as Safe Havens are strategically placed to address predictable, extreme events. Some of these events include, but are not limited to:
- Weather (earthquakes, tornados, storms)
- Security breaches (active shooter)
- Toxic releases
- Potential explosions
In today’s environment, Safe Havens can typically include forced entry and ballistic resistance, and may be stand-alone or built into an existing structure.
Both have design elements that provide refuge for pre-designated areas and personnel until a planned evacuation can be safely conducted, or an all-safe declaration can be made. They can have multiple uses such as a gym, cafeteria, or laboratory.
Siting is critical for these types of facilities, as quick accessibility is critical during extreme events that can occur within minutes of warnings. Adequate routing, maps, and signage identifying it as a Safe Haven are also necessary in design. To read more about planning for disaster, check our blog post, Solving Some of America's Biggest Problems.
The Shelter-in-Place Designation
Areas or buildings designated as Shelter-in-Place are generally designed and 
implemented around knowledge of quantifiable and described hazards, such as explosions, toxic fumes release, fires, and chemical floods.
Unlike Safe Havens, a Shelter-in-Place is designed to protect occupants from an event that occurs without warning, with strong design elements built-in to withstand the entire range of hazards present. They are sometimes intentionally sited within the hazard area.
What are some typical features of a Shelter-in-Place building in a petro facility?
- Blast-resistance
- Flame impingement coatings
- Positive internal pressurization
- Closed air recirculation
- Supplementary air supply
These protective features are specified to ensure occupants’ survival during an unpredicted event. Once survival is realized, an understanding, and subsequent control of the event can be managed, including plant shut down and communicating with authorities and staff.
Of critical importance in Shelter-in-Place design, is a well-designed HVAC system. It should include gas and fume detection features, automatic transition into safe mode, and reliable fresh air supply, to detect and then prevent toxic fumes from entering the structure. Additionally, doors, windows, and all other building penetrations are sealed to prevent leakage that would allow toxic fume infiltration. In many instances, supplemental air options can be added for redundancy. To read more about siting a control room as a shelter-in-place, see our post on BRB Control Room Suitability in the Chemical Industry.
The Similarities
There are also many similarities among these two classifications. Emergency power is crucial in both structures, since medical or life-saving operations require both lighting and communications to sustain occupants over time. Additionally, lavatories are required, with some level of potable water supply.
Both types of structures can also include oxygen masks and escape hoods, if an evacuation is necessary. Suitable, ADA-compliant sizing based on the number of personnel expected during an event is required in both.
FEMA provides guidelines on these standards to guide the initial design layout. Similarly, both types of structures can be designed to accommodate an event that might last a few minutes, or one in which occupants might remain in place for days.
Official FEMA and OSHA Guidelines
FEMA and OSHA provide design guidelines and recommendations for both types of structures. While this brief article sheds light on the most obvious and common similarities and differences, it only highlights the topic. If you require a Safe Haven or Shelter-in-Place structure at your facility, locate a suitable designer and provider with knowledge and experience to ensure that all your hazards and options are correctly addressed.
To read more about planning a safe haven for natural disasters, see our post, Solving Some of America's Biggest Problems. For information on creating something more like a shelter-in-place, read our blog post on BRB Control Room Suitability in the Chemical Industry.
To being planning for your own Safe Haven or integrated Shelter-in-Place, talk to one of our experienced subject matter experts.
