Protected Spaces: A New Approach to Civil Protection and Building Safety

Emergency preparedness has become increasingly important in several European countries. Armed conflicts, industrial accidents, extreme natural events, and chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear threats are creating new challenges for the protection of people and infrastructure.

In this context, a concept that is more flexible than the traditional shelter is also gaining importance: the protected space.

Sweden is one of the most recent examples of this development. Since 1 June 2026, Swedish legislation has formally recognised so-called skyddade utrymmen, spaces intended to provide protection to the population in the event of conflict, although subject to different requirements from those applicable to conventional shelters.

A Complementary Approach to Traditional Shelters

Protected spaces are not intended to replace bunkers or shelters specifically designed to provide high levels of protection. Instead, they serve as a complementary solution, making it possible to increase protection capacity through the adaptation of existing buildings and structures.

This approach is based on a simple principle: not every situation requires the same level of protection, and not every building allows for the construction of a conventional shelter.

In certain cases, it may be technically feasible to reinforce a basement, an internal room or another area of a building in order to improve the level of protection available to its occupants.

However, the mere existence of an enclosed or underground space does not, in itself, make it a shelter.

What Determines the Protection Capacity of a Space?

The effectiveness of a protected space depends on the characteristics of the building, the type of threat being considered and the intended level of protection.

The main elements to be assessed include:

• structural strength and configuration;
• location of the space within the building;
• exposure of doors, windows and other openings;
• level of airtightness;
• ventilation and air renewal;
• possibility of installing filtration systems;
• availability of access routes and emergency exits;
• water and energy autonomy;
• planned occupancy capacity.

For this reason, each project must be assessed individually. Solutions suitable for a home may differ considerably from those required in an industrial facility, public building or critical infrastructure.

Spaces Designed for Everyday Use and Protection

One of the advantages of this concept is the possibility of integrating protection into the building itself without necessarily creating an area that remains unused during everyday life.

A room can serve a normal day-to-day purpose while also being prepared to provide improved safety conditions in an emergency.

This solution can be particularly relevant for:

• homes and residential buildings;
• companies and offices;
• industrial facilities;
• schools and institutions;
• hotels;
• public buildings;
• critical infrastructure.

Protection can therefore be considered from the initial design stage or incorporated at a later stage through the adaptation of existing spaces.

CBRN Ventilation and Filtration

Structural strength is only one component of a protection system.

In scenarios involving chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear contamination, it is also necessary to control the intake of outside air.

CBRN ventilation and filtration systems are designed to filter particles and certain airborne contaminants and, when installed in suitable configurations, can help maintain positive pressure within the protected space.

Portugal Bunkers & Shelters provides ventilation and filtration solutions for bunkers, shelters and protected spaces, including systems adapted to different dimensions, occupancy capacities and technical requirements.

Equipment selection should take into account the volume of the space, the number of occupants, the required airflow and the level of protection defined for the project.

Adapting an Existing Structure or Building from Scratch?

The decision always depends on the conditions of the site and the objectives of the project.

In certain buildings, reinforcing and adapting an existing area may be appropriate. In other cases, the construction of a dedicated bunker or the installation of a prefabricated solution may be more suitable for achieving a higher level of protection.

The assessment should consider not only the structure itself, but also all the systems required for the space to function properly, including:

• protective doors and other protective elements;
• CBRN ventilation and filtration;
• water storage and supply;
• electrical power and emergency systems;
• lighting;
• communications;
• sanitary facilities;
• storage of food and essential equipment.

The longer the expected period of occupancy, the greater the importance of autonomy and suitable living conditions.

Preparing Before It Becomes Necessary

The development of Sweden’s regulatory framework demonstrates an important trend in the field of civil protection: approaching safety through different levels of protection and making use of existing structures whenever technically feasible.

This approach makes it possible to assess a building’s vulnerabilities in advance and determine the most appropriate measures to reduce the exposure of its occupants.

Preparation should not begin only when an emergency occurs. It should result from a prior assessment of the risks, the characteristics of the building and the available solutions