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Building and Construction Authority

Household and Storey Shelters

Learn more about the requirements and submission process for Household Shelters (HS) and Storey Shelters (SS).

Last updated 16 March 2026
Exterior view of a residential apartment block with laundry hanging from windows, illustrating typical high-rise public housing in Singapore.

Household Shelters (HS) and Storey Shelters (SS) are structures designed to protect occupants during war emergencies. Their provision and technical requirements are regulated under the Civil Defence Shelter Act.

From 1 Apr 2023, Civil Defence (CD) shelter plans will no longer be submitted separately. Instead, relevant aspects of the CD shelter plans would need to be incorporated in the Building Plan (BP) submissions and Structural (ST) Plan submissions.

Developments where HS/SS are required

Under the Civil Defence Shelter Act, HS/SS must be provided for:

  • Every new residential house or building constructed on vacant land or in place of buildings/houses which have been demolished or would be demolished. All new residential buildings/houses on vacant land where old buildings have been (or will be) demolished.

  • Reconstruction projects that involve construction of new buildings or houses in place of existing ones which have been demolished or would be demolished.

For addition and alteration or reconstruction works involving houses with existing HS, the architectural and structural plans for the HS must be submitted to BCA for approval. This is to ensures that the existing shelter continues to meet technical requirements following any new building works.

For reconstruction projects involving existing buildings undergoing minor addition or alteration works, HS/SS is not required. However, written confirmation from the Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF) must be obtained before submitting plans to BCA. If in doubt, the Qualified Person (QP) should contact SCDF via their feedback form.

Exemptions

HS/SS are not required for the following non-residential developments:

  • Hotels registered under the Hotel Act

  • Serviced apartments, staff quarters, and dormitories

  • Welfare and nursing homes (e.g. homes for the aged and homes for the disabled)

  • Hostels in educational institutions

  • Temporary buildings under the Building Control (Temporary Buildings) Regulations

  • Holiday resorts, guest houses, campsites, and chalets

Upon completion of the works, a commissioning application must also be submitted to verify compliance with HS standards.

Drawings to be submitted

Building Plan 

For HS & SS drawings in the Building Plan submission, do note the following drawings are to be submitted:

  1. Site and location plans showing the locations of HS/ SS and the setback distances (and shielding requirements), HS/ SS wall thicknesses. Locations and details of shielding wall (structural and non-structural walls) shall be included. 

  2. Building layout plans with sections & elevations 

  3. Layout and sizes of transfer structures (if any) including their direct supporting columns and walls 

  4. Computation of the HS/ SS required area and volume, in accordance to the HS/ SS technical references. 

  5. Architectural elevations and sections showing the HS/ SS locations and the HS/ SS installation fixtures, e.g. blast doors, ventilation sleeves, lighting and electrical fixtures. For SS, locations of blast rescue hatches and cat ladders shall be shown clearly. 

  6. Waiver submission letters and drawings, and decision letter from SCDF (if applicable) 

Structural Plan 

For HS & SS drawings in the Structural Plan submission, do note the following drawings and calculations are to be submitted:

  1. Structural general arrangements, showing the locations of HS/ SS. 

  2. Structural elevations and sections, showing the steel reinforcement detailing of the HS/ SS walls and curtailment around HS/ SS installation fixtures, e.g. blast doors, ventilation sleeves. Concrete grade, steel reinforcement grade and lapping/ anchorage lengths shall be indicated clearly. 

  3. Structural general arrangements, elevations and sections shall be developed based on the Architectural set where the setback distances (and shielding requirements) and HS/ SS wall thicknesses are derived. Locations and details of shielding wall (structural and non-structural walls) shall be included. 

  4. Details of transfer beam or slab (if applicable) 

  5. Footing plans (if footing is integrated with HS / SS slab) 

  6. Details of transfer beam or slab (if applicable) 

  7. Design calculations comparing moment and shear capacity between cast in-situ HS & precast hollow core HS/SS 

  8. Design calculation showing adequacy of shock design provision for cat ladders in SS or handrails on Staircase shelters (if applicable).

Permitted and not permitted works

Household and Storey Shelters are built with strengthened walls, floors, ceilings and specially designed doors to protect occupants during a war emergency. To preserve their protective function, the following requirements must be observed:

  • Do not hack or drill the shelter structure indiscriminately.

  • Avoid using finishes or fixtures that may be hazardous to shelter occupants during a war emergency.

  • Ensure the shelter is fitted with lighting, power socket outlets, a telephone point, and radio or television outlet points for external communication.

For full details, refer to Chapter 7 of Technical Requirements for Household Shelters and Technical Requirements for Storey Shelters.

References

For more information on the Civil Defence Shelter Act and Requirements for Household and Storey Shelters, please visit SCDF – Acts and Requirements. 

You can also refer to the following resources for additional details: