With the increase in natural disasters each year, it becomes more and more pertinent to adapt emergency shelters into your disaster preparedness plans. There are many types of emergency shelters on the market, all touting a variety of benefits and preparedness features – but if your shelter is constructed with traditional materials (like wood or concrete), then you’re not experiencing the comprehensive range of emergency preparedness benefits that structural insulated panels (SIPs) provide.

Insulated metal panels made from structural steel are well-suited for temporary to permanent emergency shelters for a number of reasons, including their incredible strength, fast installation times, rigidity, and tight thermal and environmental control. Each year, a growing number of individuals choose to construct emergency shelters out of SIPs for these reasons – and more.

Resistance to Natural Disasters and Foul Weather

Unlike wood, concrete, or other traditional construction materials, SIPs are incredibly resistant to fire, wind and foul weather.

• Fire – Intuitively, any metal-skinned building product will be less prone to fire or flame damage than any conventional building product made of wood, particularly if you choose SIPs with mineral wool cores. These panels are non-combustible, with melting temperatures in excess of 1800 – 2000F, and they can effectively prevent the spread of fire without using harmful chemical additives.

• Wind – Thanks to the laminate structure of SIPs (with metal on both sides, a rigid core material and the bonding of both), these panels perform extremely well as a wind barrier. Using SIPs as both walls and roofing choices for emergency shelters ensures that you will create an incredibly wind-resistant shelter, as most metal SIPs are designed to meet the most stringent wind-zone requirements. Additionally, these panels act as an effective barrier against wind-blown objects and debris. The impact of wind-blown debris is diluted and absorbed through the foam core, resulting in minimum damage to the shelter.

• Hurricanes – Similar to being wind-resistant, some metal SIPs (including 10 inch thick metal-clad panels) can withstand up to 150 mile wind ratings, making these emergency shelters incredibly resistant to hurricanes.

• Floods – Rain is the primary element that most buildings have to deal with. For this reason, you should be sure to purchase metal SIPs that are coated with a special type of paint that resists rain or water damage. Additionally, the joints of most metal emergency shelters are water-proof (if properly installed with caulk) and will not leak.

• Earthquakes – Generally, metal SIPs are earthquake resistant due to their absorptive qualities, flexibility and rigidity. Purchase metal SIPs that are laminated on both the exterior and interior with a steel skin and boast a rigid foam core with flexible capabilities. These panels are capable of flexing (during an earthquake), and they have enough spine to return to its original position when the shaking stops. Unfortunately, traditional mortar or block walls, once flexed, will break, and are unable to return to their pre-flexed shape.

Weatherproof Materials – No Mold, No Rot

Metal-clad insulated building panels are unbeatable when it comes to weather-proofing emergency shelters. Because metal SIPs are made from steel, you won’t experience any of the rot that wood structures often suffer. Additionally, the reason why metal insulated panels are so often used in USDA-inspected food production facilities is because these panels do not cause mold growth, as water can’t penetrate their seams and joints. Additionally, the foam core does not absorb water – if metal SIPs are covered in water, as soon as you shake it off, the water is gone. There is no mold growth through temperature changes.

Structural Insulated Panel Systems Are Fast and Easy to Erect

During a crisis, you will often have very little lead time with which to erect an emergency shelter. Fortunately, structural insulated panel systems can be erected very quickly, as the panels are designed to snap together – and the building materials, although they are extremely durable and strong, are lightweight enough to transport and construct shelters with only a small build crew.

For example, you and a partner could complete the construction of a small cottage or a family-sized shelter within less than 48 hours, if the materials were purchased beforehand. Two people could erect and dry the panels for this modest-sized shelter within one day, assuming that the structure has something to attach to (like a driveway). You and your family could sleep in the structure on the first night, and within 48 hours, your emergency shelter would be complete.

Surface Structure and Relocation

Metal SIP panel systems can be installed on almost any surface with a flat foundation, whether you need to erect your emergency shelter on a slab, a crawl space, on a concrete pier or otherwise. Additionally, depending on how your shelter is constructed, you can relocate this structure easily. If the structure is built on a trailer (or can be lifted onto a trailer), then you are only limited with the constrictions of the highway department in regard to relocation.

Because the shelter is build with metal SIPs, it’s much easier to move than a stick-built structure, due to the rigid capabilities of the panels. When you erect a metal SIP panel system, you’re essentially putting together a steel box with steel box attachments – even mobile homes, when relocated, experience damage and structural changes from multiple relocations. Because mobile homes are made of wood and nails, they can only be moved a certain number of times before the structure must be tightened. Steel panel systems, however, can be moved again and again without suffering damage.

Quick Deployment and Structural Integrity

Whether you need fast protection from natural disasters or whether you simply need a temporary shelter to reside in while rebuilding your home during a crisis recovery period, structural insulated panel systems are ideal. They provide easy handling in tough field conditions, fast installation, effective thermoregulation protection from the elements and more. But be sure to do your research – only purchase steel-skinned insulated panels from a company with a proven track record that sells the best-quality SIPs available. Search for weatherproof capabilities and look out for product warranties, ensuring that you’ll build the best emergency shelter available – when it’s time to construct this shelter, you’ll be glad you came prepared.