Iowa Code Title III. Public Services and Regulation [Chs. 80-122C] § 103A.8C. Standards for safe rooms and storm shelters

1. The commissioner, after consulting with and receiving recommendations from the department of public defense and the department of natural resources, shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A specifying standards and requirements for design and construction of safe rooms and storm shelters. In developing these standards, the commissioner shall consider nationally recognized standards. The standards and requirements shall be incorporated into the state building code established in section 103A.7, but shall not be interpreted to require the inclusion of a safe room or storm shelter in a building construction project unless such inclusion is expressly required by another statute or by a federal statute or regulation. However, if a safe room or storm shelter is included in any building construction project which reaches the design development phase on or after January 1, 2011, compliance with the standards developed pursuant to this section shall be required.

2. The commissioner may provide education and training to promote the use of best practices in the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings, safe rooms, and shelters to reduce the risk of personal injury from tornadoes or other severe weather.