The Bomb Shelter

Since arriving here the "Bomb Shelter" has intrigued me, probably because this is a foreign concept back home. While visiting prospective properties with Jen it became apparent that this is something that all houses had although it made no sense to me at all. The Battle of Singapore ended in 1945 with the Japanese surrender and there has been no war for the past 67 years, so why all the Bomb shelters?

Must be a historical thing I thought but upon investigation the contrary is actually true. The first law requiring public shelters was only passed in 1983 by Government in a move to build the first public shelters at 9 underground MRT Stations. In 1987 the Government expanded the programme and built shelters at the foot of new HDB buildings, other public places, community centres and secondary schools.

On 07 October 1997, Parliament passed the Civil Defence Shelter Bill requiring Home Shelters (HS) in all new residential developments.

The Household Shelter (HS) in a purposely built dwelling unit, typically the store cum pantry with its walls, floor and ceiling strengthened with increased thickness. The walls are set back by specified distances from the building exterior and the entrance to the HS is installed with an SCDF-approved light protective steel door.

After reading the Singapore Civil Defence Force mission statement I guess it really does make sense. The shelter programme is part of the Government's plan to build up the Civil Defence preparedness under the umbrella of Total Defence.

Clear out the clutter and make sure your Home Shelter has room for all your loved ones in the event of an emergency. The Public Warning system will be sounded to warn people to take shelter in the event of an emergency.

Don't know where your nearest shelter is. The SCDF website has a nifty link that give you a list of shelters, distances from your location and maps. Another good use for your Postal Code

Check it out here

So will you survive in your HS on the 12 floor of your high rise housing estate. If it is a 9/11 event probably not. In most attacks the Home Shelter will protect you against the initial impact and give you and emergency crew the opportunity to act.

I found this answer on the web

The Insider


"During an attack, residents will have little time to seek cover. According to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), the rationale for building household bomb shelters is to provide the quickest access to protection. Captain Eric Chua, from SCDF’s media relations department, says residents are protected by ‘a combination of thickened structures and the shielding offered by the surrounding walls, floor and ceiling slab. Shelters are stacked in vertical columns [to] enhance the resilience of buildings against blast effects.’

The good captain adds that studies have shown damage is usually localised at the point of impact. ‘Several floors may be perforated, but the building as a whole may remain standing,’ he says. Chua reassures us that since 1994, biennial tests have been conducted to ensure that Singapore’s buildings are able to withstand blasts and adds, ‘SCDF has several types of aerial-rescue appliances and equipment to deal with different rescue situations, including rescue from heights."

This story first appeared in Aug 2007.

PS. So who is the safest in Singapore?

The maids as they typically end up in the Bomb Shelters as there sleeping quarters.

Go Figure???