Michigan Safe Room Rebate Program Eligible and Ineligible Costs

Eligible Costs

Foundations, structural systems, walls, and ceilings/roofs (new construction and retrofit) that directly support or protect the building cladding, providing near-absolute, life-safety protection. Available criteria included in FEMA 320 and 361.
Doors and WindowsAvailable criteria included in FEMA 320 and 361.
Protection of exterior above-ground generators and/or electrical, ventilation, or communication equipment. Available criteria included in FEMA 320 and 361.

Signage. Available criteria included in FEMA 320 and 361.
Communications. Required by FEMA 361 (Chapters 8 and 9 for emergency communications to and from the safe room).
Local Area Network (LAN) drops and wiring. As specified in HMA Guidance Addendum 2015, if used for emergency communications.

Alternate Source of Power (e.g., generator, battery). As specified in FEMA 320 or 361 requirements. Capacity should be limited to the load required for life-safety protection: a minimum of 2 hours for tornadoes.
Ventilation. As specified in FEMA 320 or 361 criteria. Compliant with minimum local building code provisions when used as a safe room or A-3 occupancy.
Electrical Lighting. As specified in HMA Guidance Addendum 2015.
Emergency Electrical Outlets. As specified in FEMA 320 or 361 criteria. Compliant with minimum local building code provisions when used as a safe room or A-3 occupancy.
Steps/stairs, elevators/lifts for safe room ingress-egress. As specified in FEMA 320 or 361 criteria. Compliant with minimum local building code provisions when used as a safe room or A-3 occupancy.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) entrances for ingress-egress. As specified in FEMA 320 or 361 criteria. Compliant with minimum local building code provisions when used as a safe room or A-3 occupancy.
Compliance with FEMA Safe Room Policy, FEMA 320, and FEMA 361 for Design Flood Criteria and Floodplain Management. As specified in FEMA 320 or 361 requirements, where compliant with minimal local building code provisions, and in accordance with MRR-2-09-1.
Fire Suppression Sprinklers. Per FEMA memo dated February 7, 2012.
HVAC system for the safe room area. Per FEMA memo dated February 7, 2012.

Planning/Engineering/Architecture/Design Fees. Only planning/design costs required for the safe room, utility protection, and travel/time accessibility. Must comply with unit cost allowances.
Shipping Costs. Costs to ship pre-fabricated safe rooms to the installation site.
Engineering Peer Review of Safe Room Design Criteria (limited to systems and components providing life-safety protection). This cost may be included in the design cost/engineering fee but may also be singled out as a line-item cost. Only additional engineering review of plans/design required for the safe room, utility protection, and occupant protection. Must comply with unit cost allowances for design fees.
Excavation. As required for excavating the required foundation for the safe room, such as: interior foundation (e.g., interior column footing), exterior foundation, underground placement of safe room, or underground placement of electrical lines.
Below-Ground Electrical Lines from Structure to Exterior Safe Room. Compliant with minimum local building code.
Moisture ProtectionAs specified in FEMA 320 or 361 criteria. Compliant with minimum local building code provisions when used as a safe room or A-3 occupancy.

Ineligible Costs

Equipment and Supplies (i.e., fire extinguishers, first aid kits). As specified in FEMA 320 or 361 criteria. Compliant with minimum local building code provisions when used as a safe room or A-3 occupancy.
Permanent Electrical Outlets. As specified in FEMA 320 or 361 criteria. Compliant with minimum local building code provisions when used as a safe room or A-3 occupancy.
Upgrade of an electrical or ventilation system for unprotected portions of the structure (not required for safe room installation). As specified in FEMA 320 or 361 criteria. Compliant with minimum local building code provisions when used as a safe room or A-3 occupancy.
Toilets and Hand Washing Facilities located within the safe room. As specified in FEMA 361 criteria; and also in compliance with minimum local building code provisions.

Below-Ground Electrical Lines for Safe Rooms with Another Structure. Compliant with minimum local building code.
Surveys, Tests, Soil Borings, etc. for Protection PortionAs specified in FEMA 320 or 361 criteria. Compliant with minimum local building code provisions when used as a safe room or A-3 occupancy.

Safe Room Maintenance. The homeowner is responsible for safe room maintenance.
Paint on walls and ceilings for the safe room. Not a design requirement of FEMA 320 or 361.
Floor coverings – Subfloors as is appropriate and adequate for use in a safe room. Not a design requirement of FEMA 320 or 361.
Floor covering for the unprotected portion of the project. Not a design requirement of FEMA 320 or 361.
Finishes that enhance basic wall/ceiling paint or floor covering. Not a design requirement of FEMA 320 or 361.
Removal of structures from developed land. Not a design requirement of FEMA 320 or 361.
Kitchen cabinets, countertops, and kitchen equipmentSee "Storage areas for food, water, and equipment" below.
Storage areas for food, water, and equipment. FEMA 361 includes the recommendation for food and water storage within the safe room in Section 8.6.1 FEMA 361 also identifies safe room equipment that should be stored within the safe room. See Sections 8.6.3 and 9.1.8, and Table 9.1.
Security cameras and EOC-type equipment. Not a design requirement of FEMA 320 or 361.
Purchase of land. Not a design requirement of FEMA 320 or 361.
Landscaping.Not a design requirement of FEMA 320 or 361.
Site work not related to the protected portion (excavation, grading, parking, sidewalks, etc.). Not a design requirement of FEMA 320 or 361.