Short answer. Norwegian shelters follow the Regulation on shelters (Forskrift om tilfluktsrom, FOR-1995-03-15-254), last amended in 2023 1. Chapter IV requires a continuous 6-hour stay, with ventilation that removes radiological, biological and chemical agents and keeps overpressure, plus clean water, sanitation and electrical installations 1. The Civil Defence (Sivilforsvaret) inspects public and private shelters 2.
What does the 1995 regulation require?
Chapter IV, §§ 27 to 30, last amended by FOR-2023-01-03-5 1:
| Section | Requirement |
|---|---|
| § 27 | Structural design giving the prescribed protection; minimum thickness, strength and tightness of enclosing surfaces set by the directorate 1 |
| § 28 | Ventilation allowing a continuous 6-hour stay: fresh air supply, removal of used air, heat and humidity, removal of radiological, biological and chemical agents from incoming air, and overpressure 1 |
| § 29 | Sanitary installations for 6 hours: clean water supply, sanitary equipment, sewage outlet 1 |
| § 30 | Power and low-voltage installations allowing a 6-hour stay 1 |
The regulation states: "Tilfluktsrom skal ha ventilasjonsanlegg som muliggjør kontinuerlig opphold i rommet i 6 timer under de fastsatte belastninger" (shelters shall have ventilation allowing a continuous 6-hour stay under the specified loads) 1.
Wall thickness, strength and tightness follow detailed rules from the directorate, not figures in the regulation itself 1. The principles behind filtered ventilation are explained in /guides/shelter-ventilation and /guides/nbc-filtration.
Who approves and inspects shelters?
- Plans for each public shelter are approved by the directorate (§ 18) 1.
- The municipality checks that procedure and technical execution rules are followed (§ 7) 1.
- Sivilforsvaret supervises public and private shelters, with an ambition of about 200 inspections a year 2.
- Owners must provide water for the rated capacity for at least six hours 2.
Are the standards changing?
Technical standards for designating existing structures, such as car parks and tunnels, as "dekningsrom" are being developed under the 2026 reform, which was still a proposal under consultation on 20 October 2026 3. See the build a shelter page.
Frequently asked questions
How long must a Norwegian shelter support its occupants?
A continuous stay of 6 hours under the specified loads 1.
Does the regulation give wall thicknesses?
No figures in the regulation: minimum thickness, strength and tightness are set by the directorate 1. Any design is work for a qualified structural engineer.
Who inspects my building's shelter?
Sivilforsvaret supervises public and private shelters 2.
Must a shelter have water?
Yes. Owners must provide water for the rated capacity for at least six hours 2.
Sources
- Lovdata / Justis- og beredskapsdepartementet — Forskrift om tilfluktsrom, FOR-1995-03-15-254 — https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/1995-03-15-254 (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Sivilforsvaret — Spørsmål og svar om tilfluktsrom — https://www.sivilforsvaret.no/dette-er-sivilforsvaret/tilfluktsrom/sporsmal-og-svar-om-tilfluktsrom/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Direktoratet for samfunnssikkerhet og beredskap (DSB) — Debatt: Kommunene skal få hjelp med å sikre gode dekningsrom (tilsvar av Georg Bryn, Sivilforsvaret) — https://www.dsb.no/aktuelt/tilsvar-kommunene-skal-fa-hjelp-med-a-sikre-gode-dekningsrom/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Norway, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Lovdata / Justis- og beredskapsdepartementet · Forskrift om tilfluktsrom, FOR-1995-03-15-254 checked 2026-10-20
- Sivilforsvaret · Spørsmål og svar om tilfluktsrom checked 2026-10-20
- Direktoratet for samfunnssikkerhet og beredskap (DSB) · Debatt: Kommunene skal få hjelp med å sikre gode dekningsrom (tilsvar av Georg Bryn, Sivilforsvaret) checked 2026-10-20