Civil defence shelters
Basic inspection, airtightness testing and maintenance of civil defence shelters
Civil defence shelters intended for civil protection are governed by the Rescue Act and should be inspected regularly. A basic inspection of the civil defence shelter should ideally be carried out annually, while a more comprehensive inspection, known as an airtightness test, has to be performed every ten years.
RTF Services carries out airtightness testing and annual inspections of civil defence shelters for housing companies and industrial properties. The airtightness test includes an inspection of ventilation equipment, doors and hatches, as well as overpressure and shut-off valves.
Inspections and airtightness tests are always carried out in accordance with legal requirements and the shelter manufacturers’ instructions. We ensure that the civil defence shelter is in functional condition and meets the requirements set by law. We carefully inspect the equipment and machinery in the shelter to make sure that they are in good condition and function correctly.
Civil defence shelter equipment, servicing and repairs
As with other building systems, civil defence shelters require servicing and maintenance to ensure that they remain functional. We supply shelters with missing materials and equipment, or equipment approaching its expiry date. We also carry out the necessary modification work, as well as any agreed alterations and repairs.
With us, you can conveniently get all the services you need from one place: reports, shelter activation plans, annual maintenance as well as 10-year inspections and radiation meter calibration every five years. We also offer consulting services for civil defence shelters and shelter maintenance agreements.
Contact us and we will help you get your civil defence shelter in order!
We inspect and test, for example:
Drains (the shut-off valve is often stuck)
Doors, hatches and valves, for example if they cannot be closed, seals have dried out, covers are missing or bolts are missing
Water or moisture problems
Equipment (expired medicines, missing or unsuitable equipment, protective masks)
Ventilation units, for example if the electric motor does not rotate or there are oil leaks
Ventilation systems (old filters, missing valves)
From inspection to report with ready-made action proposals – this is how it works
1. Contact us and tell us what you need help with. In addition to the statutory 10-year inspection, there are matters that should be checked more regularly. For example, it is a good idea to start the ventilation unit at regular intervals to make sure that it works and that it is not leaking oil.
2. Signage. Already in the parking area, we check that the civil defence shelter is clearly signposted. The shelter is often shared by several buildings or an entire area, which is why it is important that everyone – not only the residents of the building – can easily find their way there.
3. Door and room size. Are the door seals in good condition, and does the door work properly? How large is the room? As drawings are often missing, we measure the shelter on site. At the same time, we check the general condition of the room: is it tidy and organised, and is the shelter activation plan readily available?
4. First aid and protective equipment, and necessary tools. Is the equipment in place, and what condition is it in? Medicines, such as iodine tablets, usually remain usable for around 3–5 years. Gas mask filters and water preservation agents need to be replaced approximately every five years.
5. Airtightness test and fan function. Does the ventilation unit start, does it work as it should, and is enough air entering the shelter? Visual inspection of the special filter. The planned service life of a ventilation unit is approximately 50 years, and that of a special filter approximately 30 years. This means that units built in the 1960s are too old and should be replaced. Maintenance may also become problematic, as new filters are no longer manufactured for units this old.
6. Report and action proposals. After the airtightness test has been carried out, you will receive a report stating whether the requirements were met. If the air pressure in the room drops too quickly, this indicates leakage. Often, the leak is in the door or another penetration, such as the drain valve. Older civil defence shelters may also have cracks in the walls that affect airtightness. The report includes proposed measures and our recommendations on what you should address.
Good to keep in mind before an inspection
Keys and inspection reports. In addition to the address, we need to know where we can collect the keys to the civil defence shelter. If a report from the previous inspection is available, we would like to see it in advance. The same applies to documentation on the type and class of shelter, as well as the year it was built. This information can often be found in the architectural and structural drawings.
Unlock the necessary spaces! Valves and ventilation ducts that need to be inspected are often located in locked storage rooms. We recommend informing the building’s residents in advance about when the inspection will take place and asking them to leave the door to the storage room unlocked during that time.
What is the condition of the shelter? In normal conditions, the civil defence shelters in residential buildings are often used as storage space or bicycle storage areas. To ensure that we can access the space and inspect it as thoroughly as possible, it is a good idea to clean and clear the area in advance if needed.
Contact the office, Andreas or Dennis for more information and to order an inspection.
Who is responsible for the civil defence shelter?
The property owner is responsible for ensuring that the civil defence shelter is in functional condition and that the required level of protection is maintained. In housing companies, this responsibility lies with the housing company’s board.
It is a good idea to appoint a person responsible for the civil defence shelter. This person ensures that the shelter is in good condition and fully functional and can assist with putting the shelter into use in when needed, in accordance with the shelter activation plan. Every civil defence shelter should have a documented activation plan.
