Easy Access Storm Shelter (6x8)

An Easy Access storm shelter generates approximately 1 dump truck load of leftover dirt from excavation. Sprague’s Backhoe offers dirt haul-off services for an additional fee if you don’t want to keep the excavated soil on your property. Many homeowners use the dirt for landscaping projects, filling low spots, or building up areas of their yard. We’ll discuss your dirt removal options during the site assessment.

Both shelters are 6×8 on the inside, but the Easy Access shelter is 8 inches taller with 6’10” interior height instead of 6’2″. Both have 6 steps with double handrails, but the Easy Access features wider, staircase-style steps that are easier to navigate for elderly residents, young children, or anyone with mobility concerns. The stairs take up slightly more room in the Easy Access model, but there’s still plenty of space behind them for emergency supplies and important documents. Easy Access capacity is 8-10 people.

Most Oklahoma cities require permits for below ground storm shelters. Requirements vary by municipality – Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore, and other cities have specific permit processes. You’ll need to obtain the permit yourself, but Sprague’s Backhoe provides all the documentation your city requires including engineering specifications and installation details. We recommend checking with your local building department early in the process.

Your Easy Access shelter comfortably protects 8-10 people. The wider staircase design takes slightly more interior space than standard slope front shelters, but you still have room for seating, emergency supplies, and comfortable protection for families with elderly members, young children, or pets who need the accessibility features.

Sprague’s Backhoe installs Easy Access storm shelters within ~30 miles of Bridge Creek, Oklahoma. This focused service area includes Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore, Mustang, Newcastle, Tuttle, Chickasha, Blanchard, and surrounding central Oklahoma communities. Below ground installations require excavation equipment and specialized installation expertise that we provide within this service radius. Call (405) 600-4905 to confirm service availability for your specific location.

Installation of your Easy Access storm shelter typically takes 3-4 hours from start to finish. This includes excavation, shelter placement, backfill, grading, and final site cleanup. We schedule installations Monday through Friday and handle all excavation, placement, and backfill work in a single visit. We will confirm the timeline during the site assessment based on your specific property conditions and soil type.

Every Easy Access shelter bottom is coated with Epro, a water-resistant coating that helps prevent water intrusion. The shelter also includes anti-floatation ring to prevent shifting during heavy rains or flooding conditions. Proper drainage and site grading during installation further minimize water concerns. While no underground structure is completely immune to water, our installation methods and protective coatings significantly reduce flooding risks common to Oklahoma’s clay soil and weather patterns.

We partner with Tinker Federal Credit Union (TFCU) to provide Oklahoma families with competitive financing for storm shelter installation. TFCU’s customer service is exceptional, and their financing process is designed to get you approved quickly for your Easy Access shelter.

Call (405) 600-4905 first to discuss your situation – we’ll explain the TFCU financing process, help you understand your options, and coordinate your application. Many families are surprised how affordable monthly payments can be for accessible underground storm protection.

Yes, all Easy Access storm shelters installed by Sprague’s Backhoe meet FEMA 320 and ICC 500 guidelines for residential storm shelters. They’re engineered to withstand EF5 tornado winds and flying debris impact. Each shelter is constructed with 6,000 PSI reinforced concrete with 1/2″ rebar on 10″ centers, triple-latch door system tested at Texas Tech University, double handrails for safety, and proper ventilation with 8″ turbine and 3″ vent for occupant safety during extended shelter use.

Yes, Sprague’s Backhoe specializes in storm shelter installation throughout Oklahoma. Despite the company name, our primary focus is installing FEMA-compliant above-ground and below-ground tornado shelters. We’ve been Oklahoma’s trusted storm shelter installer since 2013, with over 20 years of combined industry experience protecting families from severe weather.