Life in a shelter

Foreword

Readers well acquainted with civil defence matters will wonder why a booklet
on shelter-life is beeing published since an already existing shelter manual
and shelter pamphlet (the latter printed on the last pages of every Swiss
telephone directory) give specific information on this subject. The answer is
simple. The 'manual represents a guide for those responsible for the mana-
gement and operation of a shelter. On the other hand the pamphlet, although
addressed to the entire population, contains only the most important
instructions and notheworthy points, because for understandable reasons its
volume had to be kept within a certain minimum.
The present brochure wants to inform a wider public in a more general
manner on all questions and problems connected with the total shelter
spectrum. So to speak, it should serve as a mediator, filling the gap between
the manual and the pamphlet - the gap existlng between the expert and the
roughly informed user of a shelter.

Federal Office of Civil Defence

lnformation service

Editor: Federal Office of Civil Defence

Information Service
CH 3003 Berne
Switzerland
Table of contents 1) What is a shelter?

A shelter is nothing else than a refuge where people in an emergency - war,

1) What is a shelter? natural or technological disaster, nuclear radiation etc. - are able to survive
and to live on.
2) ,Figures - facts - data In each new building or in case of a substantial alteration to a building, a
shelter shall be constructed in accordance with the "Technical Directives for
3) Why und how should a shelter be installed? the compulsory Construction of Private Air Raid Shelters" (TWP 66/84) and
the "Technical Directives for special Shelters" (lWS 1982), both issued by the
4) Shelter maintenance and check in peacetime Federal Office of Civil Defence in Berne. The shelter is a solid, simple and
suitable construction, closed all around. As a rule it has a protective factor (or
5) Special remarks degree of protection) of 1 bar, in special cases of 3 bar overpressure (1 bar =
10'000 kg dynamic overpressure on 1 m2 of the outer shelter surface). A
6) Shelter readiness shelter contains numerous technical installations, corresponding with its
particular type and task. Above all it disposes of an artificial ventilation, valves,
7) The Civil Defence Warning System filters, air-tight armored doors or covers etc. Therefore, it has to be checked,
serviced and maintained regularly, in order to keep it always ready for action.
8) Outlook Besides, a shelter must be installed and equipped in such a way that its
occupants - although refraining from their usual peacetime comfort - can live
there for a longer period of time. Connection with the outside is provided by a
radio set. Apart from this version of a modern, artificially ventilated shelter
there are also so-called expedient or makeshift shelters. Such a shelter has
been constructed before the TWP 66 specifications have come into force. It
may also be a suitable space in a cellar (or basement), the walls and ceilings
of which, if required, shall be reinforced. Such shelters do not dispose of a
ventilation system with filters. Makeshift shelters can bridge the shelter-space
deficit, until sufficient spaces (places in a shelter) in modern protective
constructions are available.

-
2) Figures facts data -
Speaking of the state of development of Swiss Civil Defence, we first think of
the number of places in a shelter the population of our country can dispose of
in an emergency. The place in a shelter is that space or bunk allocated to the
citizens by the civil defence organization, thereby taking into consideration
local circumstances (distance between home and shelter, spaces available)
and maintenance of families.
Modern shelters available in the communities in the beginning of 1991 can
protect more than 90 % of the total Swiss population (6.6 Mill. inhabitants).
However it has to be considered that this percentage covers all shelter
spaces available in the communities. In 'case of shelter occupation certain
people or categories of persons will have to continue as long as possible
activities important for the general public - as for instance for the economical
supply of the country - and therefore also need a shelter-place near their
place of employment.
In Switzerland, every year more than 200,000 new shelter-places
come into existence.
6
i 3) Why and how should a shelter be installed?
1 It is obvious that when many people during an emergency habe to stay in a '
1 relatively small and scantily equipped room, problems are raised which
normally in an ordinary flat do not arise. Last but not least there are problems
of psychical and physical strain under stress, of uncertainty as to the duration
of shelter-stay and'the lack of normal comfort, the people concerned and the
shelter organization in charge of the shelterees' care have to cope with.
, Hence, without doubt a shelter should be equipped as comfortably as
possible so that the effects of an extraordinary situation on the occupants can
bee mitigated or held to a minimum. Thereby, above all the factor of "long
duration" must be considered, respectively the incertitude of how long the
occupant has to endure his shelter stay. Considering the rule of thumb
regarding space requirement it is evident that although shelter spaces are
narrow, occupation for a few days can be expected of everybody.
- Space available per shelter-place in an artificially ventilated
shelter (TWP/TWSshelter)
floor-space 1 sq.metre
volume 2.5 cubic metres
- Space available per shelter-placein a naturally ventilated shelter (makeshift
shelter)
floor-space 2 sq. 'metres
volume: 4 cubic metres ,
Swiss standards for shelter construction absolutely hold their stand in an
international comparison. Thus e. g. the Scandinavian countries in their
shelter standards stipulate a floor-space between 0.6 and 0.75 m2 and a
volume of approx. 1.6 m3. In Israel the size of a shelter situated in the
borderland corresponds with our standards, whilst in the inland territory the
floor-space per shelter-place is 0.5 m2. In other countries as well, as e. g. the
USA, the German Federal Republic and the Netherlands, the figures range
below or close to the Swiss stal nternatio~ )or-space of approx.
0.75 m2 with a room-height of approx. 2 metres idered a reasonable
minimum for a prolonged shelter-stay, even for a few days. In accordance
with the regulations issued by the Federal Council and the Federal De-
partment of Justice and Police, house-owners have to equip the shelters with
- bunkslbeds (1 per shelter-space), and Per person
- emergency toilets (dry-toilets = 1 per shelter, resp. per 30 shelter-places).
Required: Recommended:
For shelters existing since 1st January 1987 the equipment must be ready on cover or sleeping bag identity papers and documents
the day of shelter acceptance. Shelters of an earlier date shall be equipped by toilet-articles cash
the end of 1995 at the latest, provided that they show all of the following toilet-paper mattress
features: plastic refuse-bags training overall
- ceilings and walls made of steel concrete, floors at least of concrete; dinner-service and cutlery gym shoes or slippers
- concrete armoured doors and covers with a minimum thickness of 15 cm. underwear analgesic (pain-killer)
All emergency exit closures made of sheet metal and concrete plates are socks oder stockings sleeping-pills
tolerated; handkerchiefs pocket lamp with spare
- artificial ventilation with blast protection valves and gas filter. personel medicaments battery and bulb
prescribed by the doctor
Waterbags for drinking-water survival reserves in the shelters (40 litres per plastic mac or raincoat with
shelter-place) will be procured by the government during the next years and headgear
handed over to the communities. Until then, in case of a shelter occupation, gloves protecting against
water reserves shall be kept ready by expedient and suitable means. radioactive fallout-contact
out of doors
As soon as the Federal Council mobilizes civil defence, the following shelter
equipment shall be made available for al longer duration:
- seats and tables (for eating, reading, writing, games etc.) Per baby/small child
- storage shelves
- waste containers /buckets for faeces, containers for poisoned or conta- Required: Recommended:
minated clothes). neck-label showing name, first toys
name, date of birth and address sedatives
In order to render possible reception of official instructions or information for baby carrying bag or top pain suppositories
the population, each shelter in case of its occupation shall be provided with a of pram
radio set. Of course, there are no limits to inventiveness and imagination as to throw-away diapers for 1 week
the equipment and arrangement of a shelter, as long as the shelter manual baby care articles
instructions and the rules of common sense ar not violated. baby feeding-bottle

The points mentioned so far fulfil only the most rudimentary basic requi-
rements. According to the civil defence pamphlet printed on the last pages of Per household
the Swiss telephone directories, the population in case of an officially ordered
shelter occupation shall take along into the shelter further items of equipment, Required: Recommended:
necessary for living in a shelter and/or for improving minimum comfort. Such candles pocket pharmacy
matches writing utensils and note block
emergency luggage shall be packed as far as possible in a travelling bag or
transistor .radio set with spare batteries travel sewing-kit
rucksack and marked with a label, i.e.:
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Jajlays paddinba ue )o 6 u ! ~ e ~a!jeluayaS
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4) Is the rubber seal of the armoured door or
cover well glued into the groove, undamaged
and clean?
5) Are the escape tunnel/emergency exit and
the air intake unobstructed, clean and dr)n
6) Is the flap-cover (grid iron, sheet metal
cover) of the emergency exit leading to the
outside, secured from the inside (risk of
an accident or burglary)?
7) Is the condensed water container (at the
blast protection valve with the primary
filter) empty, and is the primary filter
clean (if necessary to be washed out with
soda)?
8) Operate the ventilator according to the
manufacturer's instructions.
- When turning on and off the ventilator,
does the excess pressure valve (near the
exhaust air opening) open or close
respectivelp
- Is there still oil in the gear?
9) Are the flexible pipes still intact (no
cracks or brittle spots)?
10) Is the gas filter still sealed?
Does it show rust (If no more sealed,
call manufacturer)?
11) Can the throttle valve be moved
(on devices with electric drive only), and
does then the ventilation rate meter
show accordingly?
12) Is the operating instruction of the
ventilating equipment still legible?
0
13) Are the required bunkslbeds and dry-toilets
ready for use?
0
5) Special remarks
Shelter equipment and furnishing planning is up to the shelter organizations.
0 The procedure is laid down in the shelter manual. The manual also contains
instructions for the arrangement of makeshift-shelters. Pre-fabricated bunks,
storage shelfs and dry-toilets are also available on the private market.
Furniture for shelter use ,
Suitable kitchen and garden furniture can be used as tables and chairs.
Water containers
Best suitable are plastic 20 or 25 litres (4 or 6 gal) cans which can be stacked.
6) Shelter readiness
Readiness of shelter occupancy is adjusted to the general situation.
61 In peacetime
In a period of peace the main task is to reduce the shelter-place deficit
through the construction of new, modern shelters. Existing shelters must be
maintained and equipped with the material required for a shelter stay of a
possible longer duration (bunks, emergency toilets).
62 In times of increased danger
If the danger of an attack against our country is impending, the shelters are
prepared for occupancy by official decree or order. All required measures are
taken by th-e inmates of the house, under the guidance of the civil defence
I
organizations. In particular this means:
- Devices for escape without outside help (self-freeing) shall be available. 625 The stay in the shelter
- Ventilation for adequate function according to manufacturer's instructions.
In order to secure normal and ordinary life in a shelter, the shelter chief lays
down "shelter rules". Above all they should contain the following:
623 €quipping and furnishing the shelter - course of the day (rising-time, meals, night rest)
- allocation of tasks (ventilation, lighting, water supply, medical service, radio
After having established proper functioning of the shelter it has to be service, cleaning; messenger service, door service, night watch, substitutio-
equipped for a long-term occupancy. Main equipments are: nal service etc.)
- bunks (one bunk per person) - rotation, i. e. alternating, temporally restricted stay outside the shelter.
- storage shelves
- water containers (40 I/person = 9 gal/person) Rotation, ordered by the authorities, is organized by the shelter chief. It serves
- toilets (one per 30 persons, at least one per shelter) the handling of personal matters as e.g.:
- emergency lighting I - food shopping
- expedient aerial - feeding at home
- material for A/C protection - personal hygiene
- material for fire protection - completion of luggage and equipment
- survival food. - care of pets and domestic animals

In order to secure national supply, the authorities can exempt people from
624 Shelter occupancy shelter occupancy for the duration of their daily working hours.

Occupation of the shelters is ordered by the authorities by radio, i. e. after

release of the general alarm. 63 Termination of shelter occupancy

Before leaving the apartment, the following measures are to be taken: Dependent on the extent of the endangerment, the authorities can terminate
shelter occupation temporarily or totally.
- roller blinds, windows and shutters are to be closed
- all open fires have to be put out
- gas and water mains must be turned off
- all electrical apparatus have to be switched off, except refrigerators 7) The Civil Defence Warning System
containing perishable food
- if time permits it is recommandable to eat and drink a little
- room doors must be closed; the front door has to be locked. In case of impending danger, the population is given the alarm and the
required instructions.
Pets (domestic animals) shall be provided with ample water and food. When
proceeding to the allocated shelter-place, the emergency luggage and Everybody is bound to observe orders and instructions given in connection
provisions are taken along. After arrival in the shelter, the occupants shall with the alerting signals and signs.
follow the shelter chief's instructions.
Supralocal alarm of the population after mobilization Supralocal alarm of the population in peacetime
of civil defence organizations for active duty

Federal Council
National Alarm Centre
Cantonal Government
II Cantonal Government
National Alarm
Centre II

m CD
Alarm agencies
receive alarm order
4 Cantonal Police I
and release alarm
signals
# ((v=g \
/
I Communal alarmina 1 \ I

-9
.-
/
or Army Radio Network

Population hears alarm

and follows
instructions
\ \

Population hears
alarm and follows
instructions

I O Transmission of the order to the alarm organizations (agencies) I

O Trasmission of alarm order
and instructions
@ Dissemination of alarm order
O Alarm by sirens
O Repeated dissemination of
instructions to the population
for at least 30 minutes
to get ready for action
@ Transmission of the alarm order and instructions
@ Dissemination of the alarm order to the alarm organizations
@ Siren alarm
@ Repeated dissemination of instructions to the population for at
least 30 minutes
8) Outlook

In view of still existing weapon arsenals, precautionary people protection on

the spot and guarantee of a possible long-term stay in a shelter remain highly
important.

However, services recently required of civil defence with regard to assistance

and protective measures in case of disaster and/or emergency in times of
peace, have reached new dimensions. In this connection mainly quick action
by civil defence organizations in the communities, and unlimited use of
material and protective constructions are expected. Today, the main point is
to attach to this new aspect the same weight as to the original mandate which
covered primarily the case of armed conflicts. This, of course, shows .
consequences in the domains of organization, training and also equipment.

All these questions and problems shall be evaluated within the framework of
clarification regarding the new 1995 Civil Defence Guiding Principle, to be
realized step by step in parallel to the Armed Forces' Reform from 1995 on.