A shelter system having a stationary section configured to be positioned below grade and having a plurality of perimeter walls forming a stationary frame. A plurality telescoping sections are nested within the stationary section. A roof panel is attached to a top telescoping section of the plurality telescoping sections. A lift system is configured to provide a vertical force to the top telescoping section such that the plurality of telescoping sections are selectively positionable between an idle configuration below grade and a raised configuration above grade.

A debris containment system includes channel units that are configured to attach to perimeter structural members of the building (e.g., vertical columns and/or horizontal beams) and extend outward from the perimeter of the building. Channel units can be produced in any length or lengths needed for a given application. These channel units are used to lift and support barrier members (e.g., nets, tarps, canvas/fabric, or other barrier members) to create barriers along the perimeter of the building. Importantly, these channel units are generally attached directly or indirectly (e.g., via temporary vertical members) to structures that will remain on the building (e.g., structural columns and beams of the building) as opposed to being used with separate framing structures erected outside of the building perimeter, although in some exemplary embodiments, channel units can be used on structures erected outside of the perimeter of the building.

A rotary drive machine for the installation of helical pile sections through installation openings in a slab floor inside of a building perimeter. A vertical frame having an upper end and an open lower end is positioned over an installation opening through which it is desired to rotationally install a helical pile section, and the vertical frame anchored to the slab floor. A rotary power means, attached to the helical pile section moves along a vertical movement guide and is driven by a vertical actuator to rotationally and vertically drive the helical section into the ground. A method of use is also disclosed.

This disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing security at sites to protect against active shooter situations and other dangerous threats. In certain embodiments, a security system comprises one or more security boxes that are in communication with an electronic security platform. The security boxes house equipment that can be utilized by individuals to protect themselves against security threats and to secure their immediate location. The security boxes also include various electronic components that enable detecting security threats and communicating with the electronic security platform.

Systems and methods are described herein for presenting additional information related to an emergency alert. A media guidance application may detect that a new emergency alert has been received. The media guidance application may then perform a search of various content sources (e.g., program listings, the Internet, etc.) for content related to the emergency alert. The media guidance application may then present the search results in a contextual menu enabling the user to access content of the search results. The media guidance application may also provide more options, such as, recording or pausing media content that the user was in the process of consuming when the emergency alert was generated, and an option to the user not to bring up the contextual menu again if the same emergency alert is repeated.

An inflatable housing structure forms an airtight enclosure for a motor vehicle positioned inside the housing. This airtight enclosure prevents water from entering and thereby prevents the water from accessing the vehicle. The housing comprises sides, a top and floor made of flexible waterproof material such as plastic or vinyl. Air tubes attached to the surfaces of the housing, inflate to form and sustain a housing structure. The air tubes for supporting the housing structure can be outside or inside the structure when formed. These air tubes can also be embedded into the surfaces of the housing.

A flood-resistant building is equipped with a flood barrier which enables safe and long-term refuge during floods. In a site surrounding a building, a flood barrier is constructed which encloses nearly the entire periphery of the building. An opening sealing means is connected to an entrance hall and another section serving as an entrance and exit at normal times. The opening sealing means seals the openings of these sections in a watertight manner where the openings are sealed via the opening sealing means. The flood barrier is watertight and at least as tall as the inundation depth estimated to occur in a target area when flooding or storm surges arise. In order to enable long-term refuge, an emergency-use water receiving tank 4 and an emergency-use generator are installed on the roof of the building, and an emergency-use septic tank is installed underground on the site.

A connector referred to herein as a knife plate, and the structural connections formed using the knife plate. The knife plate may have a first portion configured to affix to a first structural member, such as a vertical column. The knife plate may have a second portion configured to fit within a slot formed in a second structural member, such as a horizontal beam. The second structural member may be pinned to the knife plate using one or more dowels fit through the second structural member and the knife plate.

A method and apparatus according to which a blast resistant shelter is assembled. The blast resistant shelter includes first and second structural members, a third structural member coupled to the first and second structural members, a first airway adjacent the third structural member, and a first blast panel pivotably mounted to the third structural member and adapted to pivot thereabout in response to a blast wave. In a first configuration, the first blast panel is detachably connected to a first portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from pivoting about the third structural member so that the first blast panel obstructs air flow through the first airway. In a second configuration, in response to the blast wave, the first blast panel is detached from the first portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to pivot about the third structural member to permit air flow through the first airway.

A column bracket assembly is provided. The column bracket assembly comprises a bottom base bracket and a top base bracket, each including a bracket body adapted to receive an end of support element (e.g. a wooden column) and a mounting bracket/plate pivotally coupled to the bracket body and adapted to be coupled to a structural element (e.g. a footing, pile, header, beam etc.). The column bracket assembly optionally includes mounting brackets for installing cross brace brackets and/or tension rods to the bracket bodies. A method of installing the column bracket assembly, and a method of repairing, resettling, shoring, and/or leveling a structure with the column bracket assembly are also provided, along with structures comprising the column bracket assembly.