Frequently asked questions: shelter, blast shelter, bunker

A shelter (priedanga) is intended to protect people for a short time – up to a few hours – during an air-raid alert against blast waves, fragments and debris. A blast shelter (slėptuvė) is a special-purpose structure or room for those who ensure the operation of state and municipal institutions during emergencies or war. Blast shelters are subject to much stricter requirements, for example 300 mm reinforced concrete walls and mandatory filtered ventilation. Shelters are marked with a yellow “PRIEDANGA” (shelter) sign, while blast shelters are not marked.

When assessing shelter capacity, municipalities count 1.5 m² of total room floor area per person. This figure is set by the procedure approved by Resolution No. 1317 of the Government of Lithuania of 29 December 2022. For comparison, a collective protection structure provides for 3.5 m² of usable floor area per person, and the personnel protection rooms of a blast shelter at least 2 m².

Under STR 2.07.02:2024 (Lithuanian construction technical regulation on the design and installation of shelters), a shelter is mandatory for newly designed buildings used for public needs (except religious buildings) that can accommodate more than 100 people at a time, and for high-rise (more than 5 storeys) blocks of flats. The shelter must accommodate at least 60% of the maximum number of people present in the building. If there is no shelter inside the building, it is designed as a separate structure belonging to the building. From 1 January 2027, the obligation will also apply to blocks of flats that can accommodate more than 100 people at a time.

The regulation is mandatory for newly designed and newly built structures. When existing buildings are reconstructed or adapted, applying its requirements is recommended. The Ministry of Environment has also clarified that rooms fitted out under earlier requirements will not need to be converted. Nevertheless, many schools, kindergartens and businesses install shelters voluntarily – this is often what employees, parents and the municipality expect.

No. Point 169 of STR 2.07.02:2024 prohibits designing windows in a shelter. The structures must be made of reinforced concrete or masonry and withstand the blast wave and collapse loads set out in the regulation. External doors must have a fire resistance of at least EI2 60-C3 and be resistant to kinetic impact.

A ventilation system is not mandatory for a shelter: it is installed at the client's request. If ventilation is installed, it must be possible to switch it off and seal the air openings. Mains power supply, a backup power supply system, lighting and a fire detection and alarm system are mandatory. For longer stays, we always recommend providing ventilation.

It depends on the category and location of the structure. Small structures – up to 50 m² (Group I) and up to 80 m² (Group II) – are classed as simple non-residential buildings. They may not require a building permit document, but one may be needed in certain areas, for example in a city or in protected or cultural heritage areas. Larger structures require a permit. Since the requirements depend on the specific site and the legislation in force, the need for a permit is always assessed by the designer; we help prepare the building permit documents.

The shelter's manager submits information to the director of the municipal administration. Every year, by 30 April, the mayor of the municipality approves the list of selected shelters. Within 30 days, the municipality marks the shelter with a sign, and the Fire and Rescue Department (PAGD) publishes shelter locations on the lt72.lt website. After that, the manager checks the condition of the shelter once a year and, if necessary, must make it ready within 12 hours.

Yes. When there is no emergency or war, a shelter may be used for any purpose that does not prevent it from being made ready in time. It can be a storeroom, a workshop, equipment storage or a community room. What matters is that the contents can be cleared out quickly.

Go immediately to the nearest shelter or a safe place: a basement, an underground passage or a room without windows following the two-wall rule. If there is time, take your phone, charger, documents, medicines and water. Follow LRT (Lithuanian National Radio and Television) and further announcements. You may leave only after receiving a white notification that the danger is over.

PAGD recommends keeping food and water supplies at home for at least 72 hours, with 6 litres of water per person. Tinned food, cereals, cooking oil, sugar, salt and honey are suitable. A grab bag with documents, a week's supply of medicines and first-aid supplies is recommended for each family member.

The price depends on the number of people, the type of bunker, site conditions, equipment and installation work, so there is no universal price. Price on request. Send us brief information about your site – our engineers will prepare a quote with several solution options.