Civil Defence Public shelters are places where you can take refuge during a wartime emergency. They are designed with protective features against weapon effects to ensure a safe environment for the shelter occupants.
Locations
- Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations
- HDB buildings
- Schools
- Community centres
- Other suitable public areas
Governing bodies
Provision of shelters is regulated under the Civil Defence Shelter Act. As the technical authority, BCA vets and issues notices of approval of shelter plans and conducts regulatory inspection and commissioning of shelters.
Submitting Public Shelter Plans for Approval
You may refer to Guidelines on Plan Submission of Public Shelters for detailed information about submitting public shelter plans for approval
Technical Requirements and CD M&W Specifications for S10-S29 Public Shelters and Technical Requirements for S1-S5 Public Shelters are only available as a hard copy from:
Volunteer & Community Partnership Department (VCPD)
HQ SCDF Complex
91 Ubi Ave 4
Singapore 408827
Contact 6848 1478 or 6848 1473 to arrange for collection.
Note: Hard copies of the above are available only upon request to QPs, consultants and contractors who have been engaged by the user ministry or statutory board to incorporate public shelters into projects.
The Technical Specifications for Works of S1-S5 Public Shelters will be issued only to the project co-ordination QPs.
How to arrange for a pre-submission consultation
If you need a consultation before making a formal submission, you may make a request by logging into the CORENET e-submission System using e-form (BCA-CD-PLAN01.XFD)
S10-S29 Public Shelters
For S10-S29 Public Shelters, a consultation can be arranged with the Transit Shelter Engineering Department (TSED) of Building and Construction Authority. For an appointment, contact the following:
How to make submission
You should make your formal application by logging into the CORENET e-submission System using e-form (BCA-CD-PLAN02.XFD)
Who can submit shock design calculations
A QP in civil or structure engineering or QP in mechanical engineering
Construction of Civil Defence Public Shelters
QPs must follow these procedures during the construction of a civil defence public shelter:
- Comply to requirements specified in
- Obtain “Notice of Approval” for shelter structural plans from Transit Shelter Engineering Department (TSED) and “Permit to Commence Building Works” from Building Engineering Group of BCA before construction works commence
- Closely supervise the construction of the shelter and inform TSED before concreting of all CD critical structural elements
Commissioning of Public Shelters
Public shelters have to successfully pass commissioning tests before being issued a Notice of Approval of Commissioning (NOAC) and consequently, the Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC).
| Commissioning Tests |
To ensure that |
| Internal overpressure test (IOPT) |
The external envelope of the public shelter guards against air leakage
|
| Overpressure regime and airflow test (ORAT) |
The air supply system can regulate airflow through the ducts, dampers and CD valves in accordance with the functions and requirements of the shelter
|
| Integrated systems test (IST) |
All systems in the shelter continue to function properly and reliably under normal supply when switching to the standby generator set
|
Detailed information on commissioning tests can be found in the Handbook for Commissioning Requirements of Public Shelters.
Submissions to BCA
| Item |
Method |
| Method statements for tests and test reports |
Apply for approval by logging into the CORENET e-Submission System using e-form (BCA-CD_PLAN02.XFD) |
Notice of commissioning
(Book appointment to conduct Commissioning tests for Public Shelters) |
Notify BCA by logging into the CORENET e-Submission System using e-form (BCA-CD_NCOM01) |
Certificate of Supervision
In September 2024, BCA issued a Circular to inform the industry of the changes related to the Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP)/ Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC) application for all development projects with Civil Defence Shelter (CD Shelter) including household, storey, public and transit shelters.