The team of the Regional Office of U-LEAD with Europe in the Donetsk Oblast held an event dedicated to the new requirements for local self-government regarding the provision of bomb shelters in municipalities. At the event, representatives of local self-government bodies learned about regulations for arranging bomb shelters and the approval of the updated State Construction Standards.
According to the speaker of the event, the head of the Regional Office, Maksym Tkach, the updated construction standards for bomb shelters are effective from 1 November 2023. Local self-government bodies should take them into account when developing terms of reference for projects of construction, reconstruction and major repair of municipal property.
He stressed to local self-government bodies that a new classification of bomb shelters had been introduced. From now on, they are divided into civil defence facilities such as bomb shelters and anti-radiation shelters, as well as dual-purpose facilities with protective capabilities of bomb shelters and with protective capabilities of anti-radiation shelters.
“The time of proper stay in the bomb shelter and the standards regarding the mandatory premises there have also been introduced. So the municipalities must arrange bomb shelters that allow a proper stay there for 48 hours with essentials, water, food, etc.,” said the head of the Office.
A separate issue is the requirements of the updated State Construction Standards. Oleh Ilnytskyi, Head of the U-LEAD office in the Mykolaiv Oblast, spoke about this at the event. According to him, updated requirements have been introduced regarding the radius of population gathering, the principle of inclusiveness of protective facilities has been introduced. Premises in dual-purpose facilities are mandatory and recommended for municipalities, and the following restrictions have been introduced:
“Speaking of additional restrictions when equipping protective facilities, the use of glass and ceramic materials for equipping evacuation corridors or main shelter premises as well as the installation of suspended ceilings are forbidden,” he said.
Another update is additional requirements for protective facilities in healthcare and educational institutions. For instance, healthcare institutions should arrange rooms with intensive care beds, emergency units and operating theatres in the bomb shelter. Healthcare institutions also must equip covered delivery rooms and accommodation for patients who require bed rest.