Home
For international students
Specialist advises on how to set up a hiding place at home from possible threat
2024-06-12
Specialist advises on how to set up a hiding place at home from possible threat
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, many people are worried about the safety of their country - how to defend it or where to hide from dangers once a threat strikes. One of the most important safety measures during war is the construction of shelters in buildings, where hundreds of people can hide from explosions. We talk to Dr. Linas Krugelis, associate professor at the Faculty of Architecture of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), about whether it is possible to arrange such a shelter in individual houses.
What are important things to take into consideration when designing a shelter in an individual house?
When designing any shelter, it is important to decide what level of security we would like to have in such a space and whether we would be able to achieve it with our available resources. In the event of war, there are several types of threats that shelters can help protect against.
Firstly, these are possible shrapnel and small arms bullets. To protect against these threats, it may be sufficient to remember the two-wall rule, i.e., when hiding, we should choose a room that is separated from the outside by two walls. In many cases, this is enough to prevent shrapnel from reaching people inside. Suitable rooms for this purpose could be a vestibule, a bathroom, etc. Examples from Ukraine have shown that one of the proven solutions, especially for children, is to hide in the bathroom because it not only provides additional walls but also has a metal bathtub. However, all of these are just temporary and minor measures that cannot guarantee complete safety.
The second threat that residents may face is the destructive power of the blast wave, which can shake building structures and cause the collapse of a house. Powerful explosives, found in ballistic and winged missiles or even worse - in freely falling aviation bombs, are capable of destroying buildings solely with the force of the blast wave, even without a direct hit. The strongest and blast-resistant structures are monolithic reinforced concrete structures, but sometimes they are not enough, especially when a lot of injuries might be caused by bursting window glass shards. Therefore, it is important to have a shelter located below ground level. Suitable options for this purpose could be basements, shafts, underground garages. However, it is important to consider that a shelter located under the building should have at least one additional exit because in the event of a building collapse, people may be trapped under the rubble, and in the case of intense urban bombing it may take a long time for the rescuers to get to you.
The third threat is direct kinetic impact from a missile or rocket hitting a building. In such a situation, it is particularly difficult to protect oneself. Therefore, the shelter should not only be made of solid reinforced concrete structures but, preferably, be buried in the ground so that the layer of soil covering the structure is at least half a meter thick. This may be enough to protect against direct kinetic impact from artillery shells.
To protect against ballistic missiles and aviation bombs, the shelter would have to be built even deeper underground or the overall reinforced concrete structure would have to be thickened. In this case, completely safe shelters would be considered underground metro lines and bunkers built in mountains.
The fourth threat is chemical and radiological hazards. In this case, an underground shelter should also be equipped with an air filtration system, sufficient water reserves, and other survival essentials that would allow a person to survive in such a room for at least two weeks.
Firstly, these are possible shrapnel and small arms bullets. To protect against these threats, it may be sufficient to remember the two-wall rule, i.e., when hiding, we should choose a room that is separated from the outside by two walls. In many cases, this is enough to prevent shrapnel from reaching people inside. Suitable rooms for this purpose could be a vestibule, a bathroom, etc. Examples from Ukraine have shown that one of the proven solutions, especially for children, is to hide in the bathroom because it not only provides additional walls but also has a metal bathtub. However, all of these are just temporary and minor measures that cannot guarantee complete safety.
The second threat that residents may face is the destructive power of the blast wave, which can shake building structures and cause the collapse of a house. Powerful explosives, found in ballistic and winged missiles or even worse - in freely falling aviation bombs, are capable of destroying buildings solely with the force of the blast wave, even without a direct hit. The strongest and blast-resistant structures are monolithic reinforced concrete structures, but sometimes they are not enough, especially when a lot of injuries might be caused by bursting window glass shards. Therefore, it is important to have a shelter located below ground level. Suitable options for this purpose could be basements, shafts, underground garages. However, it is important to consider that a shelter located under the building should have at least one additional exit because in the event of a building collapse, people may be trapped under the rubble, and in the case of intense urban bombing it may take a long time for the rescuers to get to you.
The third threat is direct kinetic impact from a missile or rocket hitting a building. In such a situation, it is particularly difficult to protect oneself. Therefore, the shelter should not only be made of solid reinforced concrete structures but, preferably, be buried in the ground so that the layer of soil covering the structure is at least half a meter thick. This may be enough to protect against direct kinetic impact from artillery shells.
To protect against ballistic missiles and aviation bombs, the shelter would have to be built even deeper underground or the overall reinforced concrete structure would have to be thickened. In this case, completely safe shelters would be considered underground metro lines and bunkers built in mountains.
The fourth threat is chemical and radiological hazards. In this case, an underground shelter should also be equipped with an air filtration system, sufficient water reserves, and other survival essentials that would allow a person to survive in such a room for at least two weeks.
How should the shelter be designed?
When designing, each shelter is calculated for a certain number of people. Ideally, we should allocate at least 1.8 square meters of space per person. If it is a newly constructed bunker-type shelter, an additional emergency exit should be designed. Of course, the planned spaces should be separated into technical and sanitary rooms from those where people spend a long time. Ideally, such a shelter should have an autonomous heating system, a place to store water, non-perishable food.
Is it possible to set up a shelter in an already built individual house without a basement, or a bunker in an old house?
Technically, everything is possible, it is important to consider all circumstances. The experience of Israel shows that high-security rooms can be installed in ordinary residential buildings, whose structures are reinforced with metal sheets or an additional layer of monolithic reinforced concrete in the walls, or with high-ballistic resistance doors. Such a room somewhat resembles a giant safe inside a house. This practice is used in densely populated areas. However, where there is predominantly suburban development and spacious individual plots, it is advisable to consider the installation of a separate cellar rather than trying to install it in an already built house where necessary utilities have already been drawn out, concrete floors have been poured, etc. Therefore, which option of shelter installation we should choose is a very individual decision.
How should an old cellar be converted into a shelter? Are there such architectural projects in Lithuania?
How should an old cellar be converted into a shelter? Are there such architectural projects in Lithuania?
Yes, in recent years there has been an increase in initiatives to convert public building cellars into shelters designed to hide for a short period of time in case of air danger. There are also some special architectural projects, but many of them are still only drawings. It is important to ensure the essential needs of people in the converted cellar spaces. Since the time that people may have to spend in such a room is quite uncertain, it is important for the space to support a stay of several hours, or longer.
I would give priority to functional and comfortable furniture so that people could not only sit but also lie down, and there has to be access in case medical assistance is required. Shelving for storing items and tools is also important.
From the engineering systems, room ventilation, heating, sanitation facilities, a sufficient number of electrical outlets are important, especially if a larger group of people will use the shelter. The technical requirements for the installation of new shelters are already provided for in the construction regulations STR 2.07.02:2024.
Are shelters more of a concern since the start of the war in Ukraine?
The need for such premises has instantly increased primarily in Ukraine itself, where it is planned to install tens of thousands of shelters. In regions close to the front, even underground school premises are being equipped for education so that students can study safely. In Lithuania, lately there has also been concern about the installation of shelters. Some municipalities are taking initiative and installing the first premises for this purpose. These are just the first examples for now, but there is a trend that the number of shelters will increase significantly.
The article was prepared by Milda Mockunaite-Vitkiene, Head of internal communication projects at VILNIUS TECH Public communications directorate.
Photo by Simas Bernotas
