DuPont and Epcon Communities Announce First National Agreement to Provide Storm Shelters

WILMINGTON, Del. and DUBLIN, Ohio, April 2, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With April kicking off the most active month for tornados across the United States and consumers being increasingly focused on home safety, DuPont NYSE: DD and Epcon Communities today announced an agreement to provide the DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R) to Epcon's 138 builder franchisees in 30 states. The agreement makes DuPont a national account supplier to Epcon Communities, allowing consumers purchasing an Epcon Communities home to have access to the StormRoom(TM) and incorporated into the existing home design.

"This agreement enables DuPont to help protect more families throughout the United States with the proven technology of DuPont(TM) Kevlar(R)," said Thomas F. Schuler, vice president and general manager -- DuPont Building Innovations. "DuPont(TM) Kevlar(R) is, pound for pound, five times stronger than steel -- a perfect fit for storm shelters, which can offer people with and without basements the maximum protection. Epcon Communities is providing a solution for consumers nationally that they've never had before."

The DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R) for in-home shelters is reinforced with DuPont(TM) Kevlar(R), the same material used in bullet-resistant vests that have helped protect police and military personnel for more than 40 years. Available in pre-built and custom configurations, the DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R) can be installed into an existing home or incorporated into any building plan within a day. Unlike other storm shelters, the DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) allows for easy electricity and plumbing installation, as well as cell phone and radio reception, so its occupants can monitor news and weather information. When not in use, the StormRoom(TM) can double as an extra room, storage space or powder room.

"With our agreement, the DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) should provide peace of mind for our prospective buyers as well as a secure location given our slab-on grade construction," said Tom Kirchner, national accounts manager for Epcon Communities.

The DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R) meets Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards for hurricane and tornado shelters and is designed to withstand wind gusts of up to 250 miles per hour and support a uniformly distributed weight of more than 70,000 pounds. The strength of Kevlar(R) laminated sheathing inside reinforced wall panels provides the stopping power needed for high-velocity debris, acting as a safety net to help deflect objects that become airborne during severe storms. The walls are joined together in a steel-framed skeleton that is anchored into the home's foundation, providing crush resistance and preventing the room from being blown away.

DuPont estimates that 90 percent of its patent-pending storm shelters are in use in rural and suburban communities, with 10 percent in cities. Initially, sales for the StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R) were focused on Tornado Alley, the eight states where most tornadoes strike. However, DuPont has found that many parts of the United States, including coastal areas where hurricanes and other wind-based storms can wreak havoc, also need the safety and security provided by the StormRoom(TM). In fact, DuPont has seen a 300 percent increase in sales in states outside Tornado Alley.

Epcon Communities, headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, is the leading developer and franchise operator of single-story, residential condominium communities in the United States, and has been building single-story residential condominium communities for over 20 years. The company was ranked the second largest for- sale condo builder in the United States by Builder Magazine in 2007. Founded in 1986, Epcon Communities has over 138 builder franchisees in 30 states with a long-term goal to expand to all 50 states and Canada.

DuPont manufactures and markets products for residential and commercial construction that offer high-performance weather and climate protection for buildings and their occupants, and sustainable energy management systems. In addition to the DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R), these products include: DuPont(TM) SentryGlas(R); DuPont(TM) Corian(R) and Zodiaq(R) solid surfaces and Granite Certified by DuPont(TM); DuPont(TM) RoofLiner with Elvaloy(R); DuPont(TM) Tyvek(R) Weather Barrier Systems including Tyvek(R) AtticWrap(TM), the first breathable roofing membrane to create an airtight attic, and Tyvek(R) ThermaWrap(TM), which helps reduce energy costs and increase comfort by improving the reflection of radiant energy in wall systems. DuPont also manufactures Tyvek(R) Weatherization Systems, including DuPont(TM) Tyvek(R) CommercialWrap(TM) and DuPont(TM) Tyvek(R) DrainWrap(TM).

The StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R) is a product offering of DuPont Building Innovations, one of five business units in the DuPont Safety & Protection segment. The other businesses are DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems, DuPont Nonwovens, DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise and DuPont Safety Resources. The segment provides innovative products and services that protect people, buildings, critical processes and the environment. In 2007, the segment's revenues totaled $5.6 billion.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont(TM), The miracles of science(TM), StormRoom(TM), Kevlar(R), SentryGlas(R), Corian(R), Zodiaq(R), Granite Certified by DuPont(TM), Elvaloy(R), Tyvek(R), AtticWrap(TM), ThermaWrap(TM), CommercialWrap(TM) and DrainWrap(TM) are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.

The Epcon Communities logo and Epcon Communities(R) are registered trademarks of Epcon Communities Franchising, Inc.

For more information on the DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R), visit: http://www.stormroom.dupont.com.

For more information on Epcon Communities, visit: http://www.epconcommunities.com.

Due to the length of the links below, please copy and paste into Internet browser.

Fact Sheet -- DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R):

Link:

http://vocuspr.vocus.com/vocuspr30/Newsroom/MultiQuery.aspx?SiteName=DupontPre

view&Entity=PRAsset&SF_PRAsset_PRAssetID_EQ=109603&XSL=MediaRoomText&PageTitle

=Fact Sheet&IncludeChildren=true&Cache=False

Photos and Captions of StormRoom(TM) and Epcon Communities Homes:

DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R) -- Closet

Link:

http://vocuspr.vocus.com/vocuspr30/Newsroom/ViewAttachment.aspx?SiteName=Dupon

tPreview&Entity=PRAsset&AttachmentType=F&EntityID=109572&AttachmentID=058a4675

-d3d1-4df6-9c36-cfd12b295418&NewWindow=true

Caption: The DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R) is a fully functional in-home tornado and hurricane shelter that features the strength of DuPont(TM) Kevlar(R) built inside reinforced wall panels.

DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R) -- Laundry Room

Link:

http://vocuspr.vocus.com/vocuspr30/Newsroom/ViewAttachment.aspx?SiteName=Dupon

tPreview&Entity=PRAsset&AttachmentType=F&EntityID=109571&AttachmentID=4e9c7f2f

-2f0f-43c5-bbf4-8dddee6b1d57&NewWindow=true

Caption: The DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R) is a fully functional in-home tornado and hurricane shelter that features the strength of DuPont(TM) Kevlar(R) built inside reinforced wall panels.

DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R) -- Powder Room

Link:

http://vocuspr.vocus.com/vocuspr30/Newsroom/ViewAttachment.aspx?SiteName=Dupon

tPreview&Entity=PRAsset&AttachmentType=F&EntityID=109570&AttachmentID=1452349c

-8455-42f5-baff-bc30d80db8f6&NewWindow=true

Caption: The DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R) is a fully functional in-home tornado and hurricane shelter that features the strength of DuPont(TM) Kevlar(R) built inside reinforced wall panels.

Epcon Abbey Stone Home

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Epcon

Link:

http://www2.dupont.com/Media_Center/en_US/assets/images/releases/nr_EpconAbbey

Stone.JPG

Caption: Epcon Communities, Inc., headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, is the leading developer and franchise operator of single-story, residential condominium communities in the U.S.

Epcon Canterbury European Country Home

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Epcon

Link:

http://www2.dupont.com/Media_Center/en_US/assets/images/releases/nr_EpconCante

rburyEuropeanCountry2.JPG

Caption: Epcon Communities, Inc., headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, is the leading developer and franchise operator of single-story, residential condominium communities in the U.S.

B-Rolls:

DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R) Impact B-Roll

Link:

http://vocuspr.vocus.com/vocuspr30/Newsroom/ViewAttachment.aspx?SiteName=Dupon

tPreview&Entity=PRAsset&AttachmentType=F&EntityID=109604&AttachmentID=74c4ba2e

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Caption: This video demonstrates the impact resistance of the DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R). The test involves firing a wooden timber at the structure using an air cannon.

DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R) Closet Version B-Roll

Link:

http://vocuspr.vocus.com/vocuspr30/Newsroom/ViewAttachment.aspx?SiteName=Dupon

tPreview&Entity=PRAsset&AttachmentType=F&EntityID=109605&AttachmentID=960e2ff8

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Caption: The DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R) can be incorporated into a home design with ease. This video demonstrates a closet version of the StormRoom(TM).

DuPont(TM) Kevlar(R) Production B-Roll

Link:

http://vocuspr.vocus.com/vocuspr30/Newsroom/ViewAttachment.aspx?SiteName=Dupon

tPreview&Entity=PRAsset&AttachmentType=F&EntityID=109606&AttachmentID=e396ef7b

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Caption: DuPont(TM) Kevlar(R) is a man-made organic fiber that combines high strength with light weight, comfort, flexibility and protective properties. It is five times stronger than steel on an equal weight basis.