Question 1

Are there shelters in Germany?

Accepted Answer

In the 1960s, there were shelters for around 3% of the population in Germany. The Ministry of the Interior currently assumes that the vast majority of public shelters are no longer functional. Therefore, people in Germany have to make their own provisions for shelters.

Question 2

What does a shelter / bunker protect against?

Accepted Answer

Shelters provide protection from:
- conventional weapons (explosive projectiles, bombs, incendiary weapons, FAE weapons)
- secondary weapon effects (debris, splinters, fire, water, sliding)
- Biological weapons (bacteria, viruses)
- Chemical weapons (volatile and sedentary warfare agents)
- Reactor accidents and nuclear weapons (radiation, electromagnetic effects, thermal radiation)
Detailed information can be found at: https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzumfang(https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzumfang)

Question 3

How can I build a bunker / shelter myself?

Accepted Answer

For the construction project you need special components such as armored doors, armored covers, ABC ventilation systems and explosion protection valves.
The German Shelter Center offers comprehensive information and video instructions so that basement compartments can be converted into shelters.
Further information can be found at: https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-bau(https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-bau)

Question 4

Are basements suitable as bunkers?

Accepted Answer

A conventional basement does not offer nearly the same level of protection as a bunker. In the event of a radioactive incident or attack, basements are the safest place in a normal building, but the windows are a weak point, as they break even under low pressure and hurl glass fragments into the room. The basement also offers no protection against poisonous gases or radioactive particles.
However, it is possible to convert basements into shelters. The components required for this can be found at: https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-komponenten(https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-komponenten)

Question 5

Can I build a bunker in my garden?

Accepted Answer

Building a bunker in the garden is possible in most federal states with a building permit.
The regulations for this can be found in the respective state building regulations. If a building permit is required, the building application must be submitted in writing to the responsible municipality. To prevent the project from becoming generally known, it is common for the building application to describe it as a storage or wine cellar.
Basic information about the construction can be found at: https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-bau(https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-bau)

Question 6

Do I need a building permit for a bunker / shelter?

Accepted Answer

In most cases you will need a building permit to build a bunker, but this depends on the state.
The regulations for this can be found in the respective state building regulations. If a building permit is required, the building application must be submitted in writing to the responsible municipality. To prevent the project from becoming generally known, it is common for the building application to describe it as a storage or wine cellar.
Basic information about the construction can be found at: https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-bau(https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-bau)

Question 7

How much does a bunker / shelter cost?

Accepted Answer

There are different ways to build a bunker. The cheapest option is to build the shelter in the basement of a house. The costs are in the region of €35,000.
If a shelter is to be built later in the garden, the costs are usually higher because this involves more effort.
Further information can be found at: https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-bau(https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-bau)

Question 8

Is there government funding for the construction of a shelter?

Accepted Answer

There is currently no state funding for shelter construction in Germany. Previous funding was deemed no longer necessary in 2007 and was discontinued nationwide. Due to the current tense situation, new state funding is being discussed in the Bundestag.

Question 9

How can I build a bunker?

Accepted Answer

Bunkers consist of a thick reinforced concrete shell, the openings of which are secured with special, armored doors. Special ventilation systems with gas filters are required for the air supply, which can be operated both electrically and manually. An emergency exit is usually installed in case the exit via the shelter door is blocked.
Required components:
- Armoured door
- Armoured cover
- Explosion protection valve (air inlet)
- Overpressure / explosion protection valve (air outlet)
- Ventilation system with gas filter

Question 10

Sollte ich einen Bunker bauen?

Accepted Answer

In Friedenszeiten ohne Krisen und Kriege benötigen Sie grundsätzlich keinen Schutzraum. Doch ob und wann in Zukunft eine Katastrophe eintritt, kann meist nicht vorhergesagt werden. Selbst bei vorangekündigten Katastrophen wäre es nach jetzigem Stand nicht möglich, ausreichend Schutzplätze für die deutsche Bevölkerung zu errichten. Daher ist die private Vorsorge erforderlich und unerlässlich. 
Mit gezielten Maßnahmen (Schutzraumlüftung, Überdruckschutzventile, verstärkte Türen, Wände, etc.) können bereits bestehende Kellerabteile kostengünstig zu Schutzräumen umgebaut werden. Grundsätzlich sollte vor jedem Neubau auch ein Schutzraumbau in Betracht gezogen werden.

Question 11

How thick do the walls of the bunker / shelter have to be?

Accepted Answer

The shelter shell is made of reinforced concrete. The required thickness of the walls and ceilings depends on the individual circumstances, but must not be less than the following values:
• 30 cm minimum ceiling thickness • 30 cm minimum external wall thickness
We will statically design and calculate the exact thickness required. You can find information about this at: https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-bau(https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-bau)

Question 12

How long can I survive in a bunker?

Accepted Answer

The maximum length of stay in the shelter depends essentially on the food and water supplies. Shelters and bunkers are designed to allow shorter or longer stays of several days and weeks. The necessary length of stay in the shelter depends primarily on the type of threat.

Question 13

How big does a bunker / shelter have to be?

Accepted Answer

The size of the shelter depends on the desired number of people and can be calculated as follows:
- Minimum floor area: 8 m²
- Minimum room width: 2 m
- Minimum room height: 2 m

- Space required per shelter: 1 m²
- Space requirement per ventilation system: 1 m²
- Space requirement per dry toilet: 1 m²

Question 14

How is a bunker ventilated?

Accepted Answer

The shelter ventilation system is operated electrically or manually in the event of a power failure. With the help of a fan, the contaminated fresh air from outside is first passed through a suspended matter filter and then through a gas filter, where it is cleaned and the activated carbon absorbs dangerous poison gas molecules. There is a slight overpressure in the shelter. The used breathing air is discharged to the outside via an overpressure explosion protection valve.

Further information can be found at: https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-komponenten(https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-komponenten)

Question 15

How does a shelter fan work?

Accepted Answer

The fan supplies fresh air or filtered air into the shelter with the help of a 3 x 400 V, 50 Hz electric motor. We equip our devices with a capacitor set and power cable so that operation with 220 V/ 50 Hz / 380 watts is possible. In the event of a power failure, the ventilation can be operated using a hand crank. An emergency light is installed for manual operation.

A more detailed description can be found at: https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-komponenten(https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-komponenten)

Question 16

How does a shelter gas filter work?

Accepted Answer

The gas filter consists of a suspended matter filter and an activated carbon filter. These retain gaseous, biological, chemical and nuclear warfare agents. The service life of the filter is determined by the operating conditions (concentration of pollutants, humidity, etc.).

A more detailed description can be found at: https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-komponenten(https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-komponenten)

Question 17

Which gases does a shelter gas filter protect against?

Accepted Answer

Nerve agents
Organophosphates: e.g.
- Taboon
- Sarin
- Soman
- Tammelin Esters (VX)

Skin warfare agents
Organic arsenic compounds: e.g.
- 2-Chlorovinylarsine dichloride
- Ethylarsine dichloride (ED)
- Methylarsenic dichloride (MD)
Organic sulphur and nitrogen compounds: e.g.
- S-Lost, N-Lost, Lewisite
Nettle fabrics: e.g.
- Phosgene oxime
- Trichloromethyl-chlorfomoxime
- Trichloroacetophenone

Lung warfare agents
- Phosgene, Diphosgene, Triphosgene
- Chloropicrin

Eye irritants
Halogenated organic compounds: e.g.
- Bromoacetone
- Chloroacetophenone
- Bromobenzyl cyanide

Poisons of cellular respiration and
Cell metabolism (blood toxins)
- Arsine
- cyanogen chloride
- Hydrogen cyanide
- Sodium fluoroacetate

Psychotoxins
- LSD (d-lysergic acid diethylamide), BZ
- Indoleaminoalkanes, phenylaminoalkanes etc.

Toxins (biotoxins)
- Various bacteriological poisons
- Various animal poisons
- Various plant poisons

Biological warfare agents
- Protect against all known biological warfare agents

Question 18

Wie lang ist die Haltbarkeit von einem Gasfilter für ein Schutzraum-Lüftungsgerät?

Accepted Answer

Die Lüftungsanlage besteht aus zwei Filtern. Einen Vorfilter und einen Gasfilter. Der Vorfilter ist fest verbaut und filtert grobe Partikel aus der Ansaugluft und kann ja nach Verschmutzung zu Wartungszwecken getauscht werden.

Der Gasfilter, bestehend aus Aktivkohlefilter und Schwebstofffilter, steht am Boden vor dem Lüftungsgerät und wird nur im Verdachtsfall auf atomare, biologische oder chemische Kampfstoffe an das Lüftungsgerät angeschlossen. Die Deckel vom Gasfilter sind fest verplombt und werden nur im Ernstfall entfernt, sodass das Lüftungsgerät angeschlossen werden kann. Im verplombten und trockenen Zustand ist der Gasfilter > 30 Jahre haltbar.

Die Kapazität vom Gasfilter ist einerseits abhängig von der Dosis der zu filternden Kampfmitteln. Zum andern abhängig von der Luftfeuchtigkeit der Ansaugluft. Je feuchter die Ansaugluft ist, desto mehr Feuchtigkeit wird von der Aktivkohle aufgenommen. Mit zunehmender Luftfeuchtigkeit wird der Luftwiderstand durch den Filter höher, sodass nicht mehr ausreichend Filterluft in den Schutzraum gelangt. Ist das der Fall, muss ein Ersatzgasfilter angeschlossen werden.

Erfahrungsgemäß kann ein eingebauter Gasfilter bis zu mehreren Wochen verwendet werden. Es bietet sich daher an, einen Ersatzgasfilter im Schutzraum zu bevorraten.

Question 19

How does a shelter explosion protection valve work?

Accepted Answer

Fresh air is drawn in from outside via an explosion protection valve with pre-filter ESV/VF. When a blast of air hits the area, the explosion protection valve closes automatically within a fraction of a second. This protects the people in the shelter from excessive air pressure.

A more detailed description can be found at: https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-komponenten(https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-komponenten)

Question 20

How does a shelter pressure/explosion protection valve work?

Accepted Answer

The overpressure/explosion protection valve UEV/ESV is used to automatically close the air outlet when ventilation is interrupted (UEV) or to close the opening when an air blast occurs from outside (ESV).

A more detailed description can be found at: https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-komponenten(https://www.schutzraum-zentrum.de/schutzraum-komponenten)

Question 21

How does a shelter triplex silencer work?

Accepted Answer

The TRIPLEX silencer housing and the silencer pipe are lined with sound insulation mats. The silencer housing is attached to the wall with a sealing profile.
The TRIPLEX silencer is a tested accessory for all ventilation systems (VA 40/75/150) in private and public shelters. The achieved noise reduction of approx. 10 dB (A) is particularly appreciated in military and crew quarters.

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