User:Dbcorp 98/STATIM Tsunami Shelter System

The STATIM Tsunami Shelter System is a novel emergency preparedness tool specifically designed to provide protection to human occupants during and after natural catastrophic events such as tsunamis, major floods, tornadoes and storms. The system was designed and is promoted by San Juan, Puerto Rico inventor Miguel A. Serrano who is a land development and construction management consultant there.



Description


The acronym "STATIM" stands for Storm, Tornado, And Tsunami, Interconnected, Modules. As the name suggests, the shelter is comprised of a plurality of precast concrete tubular modules that when assembled together provide for a watertight seaworthy enclosure with self-righting capabilities. Concrete is a cost efficient material that has been used in floating structures since the mid 1800, also known as ferro-cement or ferro-boat or concrete ship.

This new system, for which a US patent has been allowed, is called the STATIM (Storm, Tornado And Tsunami Interconnected Modules) Shelter System. In essence, it is an enclosed hull comprised of a series of precast concrete modules, similar to large diameter concrete drainage pipes. Once assembled via gasketed joints, and a post-tensioned cables technique, it provides a water-tight environment with positive buoyancy and self-righting capability. Inside, the shelters will be equipped with secure seating arrangements for as many as 50 occupants, ventilation, and various options of survival gear and supplies capable of sustaining the occupants during and after the actual event, and until the available rescue resources can assist. The STATIM Shelter can be considered the equivalent of an "inland" life boat.

The STATIM Shelter System is low-cost, low-technology, low-maintenance concept capable of being mass produced regionally. It is built with widely available materials like concrete and rebar, and can be fabricated and quickly installed by most low-skilled labor. Concrete is a high mass and inertia material that enables the STATIM Shelter to safely resist the initial forces of an event, sudden acceleration shocks, and to withstanding tides of any height. After the event the system will also aid in sustaining survivors until the available rescue resources can assist.

Being modular, it is possible to create shelters of variable length configurations as each specific application require. Also, it allows for the easy transport of the modules over standard roads, railways or barges. This technique allows for the modules to be mass produced near their intended final destination, substantially reducing shipping costs for the most significant component of the system.

The STATIM Shelters can be fitted with a wide variety of life support and survival options depending on the specific mission. The basic equipment include battery banks with solar charging capability, LED lighting, mechanical ventilation, water closet, GPS interlink, belted seats, life jackets and bilge pumps. Optional equipment include medical provisions, MRE rations and advanced survival gear.

Objective
The objective of the STATIM Shelter's approach is to offer a feasible preparedness alternative to communities around the world where proximity to seismic faults, lack of vertical evacuation options, topographical characteristics and/or remoteness put them at the highest risk. A substantial contribution of this approach over vertical shelters, or high density shelter buildings, would be that the system can cover widespread areas for the same equivalent cost, thus reaming within a reasonable distance of more prospective refugees.

A STATIM variant could also provide shelter in bushfire prone areas, especially if substantially buried.

Installation configurations


The STATIM Shelter can be installed in several configurations. The basic configurations are intended to allow the unit to float in the event of extreme flooding or tsunami tides. The units are designed to sustain temporary immersion, and are provided with self-righting capabilities in case they are overturned by the event forces. Secure anchoring options ensure that the units remain in the location while afloat.

A buried configuration is intended to serve as quick installation storm and tornado shelters, or as strategic emergency supplies depots to aid after disasters occur. A military variant is being developed to serve as quick installation buried barrack and/or command post, which will offer a discrete heat signature and protection from surface detonations.

Current status
The United Stated Patent and Trademark Office allowed a patent for the system on July 2010, international patents are being pursued or are patent pending. The project intention is advancing to the prototype development stage where several fully functional units would undergo a series of static, dynamic and destructive tests. After the system's effectiveness is established an initial demonstration deployment and installation of twelve units in a Caribbean location is being planned.