50 year warranty
Hot Dip Galvanizing is the process of dipping fabricated steel into a kettle or vat containing molten zinc. While the steel is in the kettle, the iron in the steel metallurgically reacts with the molten zinc to form a tightly-bonded alloy coating that provides superior corrosion protection to steel. Using zinc to protect steel from corrosion (hot-dip galvanizing) is a 150-year-old practice!
Steel Shelter Being Submerged Into Zinc Kettle
Galvanized Shelter Being Removed From the Kettle
Finished Galvanized Shelter
Common Uses for Galvanized Steel
Galvanizing is found in almost every major application and industry where iron or steel is used. The utilities, telecommunication, chemical process, pulp and paper, automotive, and transportation industries, to name just a few, historically have made extensive use of galvanizing for corrosion control. For over 150 years, hot-dip galvanizing has had a proven history of commercial success as a method of corrosion protection in myriad applications worldwide.
Chain Link Fencing
Hinges & Hardware
Guardrails
Utility Poles
Galvanized FlatSafe Shelters
Our Galvanized FlatSafe shelter is made of 10 gauge sheet metal. All welds are leak-tested to ensure they will not allow ground water to seep into the shelter. After the shelter is fabricated, the unit is Hot-Dip Galvanized to protect your investment for an expected 50+ years.
What is Hot Dip Galvanizing?
Hot Dip Galvanizing is the process of dipping fabricated steel into a kettle or vat containing molten zinc. While the steel is in the kettle, the iron in the steel metallurgically reacts with the molten zinc to form a tightly-bonded alloy coating that provides superior corrosion protection to steel. Using zinc to protect steel from corrosion (hot-dip galvanizing) is a 150-year-old practice!
Because it is formed by dipping steel in molten zinc, all parts of the surface of the steel are coated – inside, outside, awkward corners, and narrow gaps which would be impossible to protect in any other way. Zinc weathers at a very slow rate, so the coating generally has a long life.
Zinc has a greater electronegativity than iron, providing cathodic (or sacraficial) protection to the steel. This will result in the zinc corroding in preference to the steel if the coating is chipped or damaged to expose the base metal.
Galvanizing provides an easy to clean surface and provides a maintenance-free life of over 50 years.
Advantages of Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel
- Hot-dip Galvanizing is the best known way to protect iron and steel from corrosion and rust
- HDG has been used and proven worldwide in numerous industries for over 150 years
- HDG provides cathodic (sacrificial) protection to steel and iron
- HDG is superior to any paint or other topical applications to steel
- Extremely long-lasting protection and life expectancy
- Maintenance free for 50+ years
Galvanized Coatings Protect Steel in 3 Ways:
- The coating weathers at a very slow rate giving a long and predictable life.
- The coating corrodes preferentially to provide cathodic (sacrificial) protection to any small areas of steel exposed through drilling, cutting or accidental damage; scratches are sealed by weathering products from the zinc.
- If the damaged area is larger, the sacrificial protection prevents the sideways creep of rust which can undermine paint coatings.
Download the Service Life Chart for Hot-Dip Galvanized Coatings
Single Piece Lid System
All of our in ground FlatSafe Tornado shelters come with our patented single piece lid system. The lid is ¼” thick steel plate with added structural tubing to provide extra strength. The single-piece lid is larger than the frame of the saferoom opening and sits above the frame, not down inside the frame. Our lid system is MUCH stronger than the typical 2-piece lid system offered by everyone else and provides more than adequate ventilation to the occupants.
Our Shelters Will Never Float – Guaranteed.
FlatSafe Tornado Shelters are back-filled 100% with ready-mix concrete (NOT dirt) to counteract buoyancy and flotation. FlatSafe Tornado Shelters will never float…Guaranteed!