Safe Rooms

FEMA CMU Safe Rooms for Tornados & Hurricanes

When severe weather strikes, having a well-constructed safe room can mean the difference between life and death. The Southeast Concrete Masonry Association (SCMA) is committed to helping homeowners, builders, and communities understand the critical role of concrete masonry safe rooms in providing near-absolute protection during tornadoes and hurricanes. This resource hub offers guidance on FEMA-compliant design standards, construction best practices, and the advantages of using concrete masonry units (CMUs) to build safe rooms that meet or exceed FEMA P-361 and ICC 500 criteria.