Household and Storey Shelters

Household Shelters (HS) and Storey Shelters (SS)

Household and storey shelters (HS/SS) are designed and constructed to protect residents against weapon effects during a war emergency, and are regulated under the Civil Defence Shelter Act.

Requirements to provide HS/SS for residential developments

Under the Civil Defence Shelter Act, every new residential house or building must be provided with household shelters (HS) and/or storey shelters (SS) that are constructed on vacant land or in place of building/houses which have been demolished or would be demolished. 

HS/SS have to be provided for reconstruction projects that involve construction of new buildings or houses in place of existing ones which have been demolished or  would be demolished.

Submission of shelter plans for approval

HS/SS plans for architectural and structural works shall be submitted to BCA for plan approval before commencement of construction for shelters. An application for commissioning approval is also required after the shelter works have been completed to ensure that the HS/SS complies with the technical requirements.

For addition and alteration works or reconstruction work to houses with existing HS, the HS plans for architectural and structural works shall also be submitted to BCA for plan approval. This is to ensure that the existing HS continues to meet the HS technical requirements after changes has been made to the house under addition and alteration works or reconstruction work. An application for commissioning approval is also required to ensure that the existing HS complies with the technical requirements after addition and alteration works or reconstruction work have been completed.

For proposals involving reconstruction of existing building, Qualified Person (QP) is to seek consultation with SCDF and obtain a written confirmation that provision of HS/SS is not required. This written confirmation should be obtained before submission of plans to BCA for approval. If you are unsure if your development needs to be provided with HS/SS, contact:

Developments that do not require HS/SS

The following non-residential developments need not be provided with HS/SS:

• Any hotel registered under the provisions of the Hotel Act
• Serviced apartments and staff housing or quarters
• Institutions such as welfare homes, homes for the aged, homes for the disabled, halfway houses and nursing homes
• All temporary buildings referred in the Building Control (Temporary Buildings) Regulations
• Hostels or halls of residence in educational institutions
• Residential clubs (e.g. holiday resorts) and boarding or guest houses
• Dormitories, campsites and chalets

Household or storey shelters are also not required to be provided in existing houses or buildings undergoing addition and alteration works.