Must every new home in Singapore have a shelter?

Short answer. Yes. Under the Civil Defence Shelter Act 1997, "Every new house must be provided with a household shelter in accordance with the specifications" ¹. Every new block of flats must have a household shelter in each flat or a storey shelter on each storey ¹. Since 1 April 2023, shelter plans are part of the building and structural plans submitted to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) ².

Which buildings must have a shelter?

The Act sets two duties ¹:

SCDF describes household and storey shelters as the primary forms of sheltering the civilian population in a wartime emergency ⁵³⁴. The specifications are SCDF's Technical Requirements for Household Shelters 2023 ⁶ and for Storey Shelters 2021 ⁴. They cover shelter size, wall and slab thickness, ventilation sleeves, the light protective steel door, and construction and commissioning ⁶. Shelter doors must be approved by SCDF ³. See Singapore's shelter standards.

How is a shelter approved?

Since 1 April 2023, there is no separate CD shelter plan. The shelter aspects are included in the Building Plan (BP) and Structural Plan (ST) submissions to BCA ². On completion, a commissioning application is required to verify that the shelter complies ². Any deviation from the requirements needs a waiver from SCDF ²³.

The design and structural work behind these submissions belong to qualified building professionals. Phaenyx gives no construction instructions.

What must owners and occupiers do afterwards?

The Act and SCDF set ongoing duties for the owner or occupier ¹⁵:

• Do not alter or damage the shelter. Repairs or alterations likely to impair it are allowed only with the SCDF Commissioner's written permission ¹.
• Maintain it as the regulations require, keeping the door and ventilation sleeves operating smoothly and free of rust ¹⁵.
• Carry out works the Commissioner requires in writing ¹.
• In peacetime, keep at least 25% of each ventilation opening uncovered ⁵.

What are the penalties?

An offence under section 4(2) of the Act carries a fine not exceeding S$5,000. For a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding S$250 applies for every day or part of a day the offence continues after conviction ¹.

Can I add a shelter to an existing home?

The official sources reviewed for this page set the duty for new houses and flats and the rules for keeping existing shelters intact. They contain no separate procedure for adding a shelter to an older home. For homes without a shelter, the SCDF handbook describes Improvised Cover At Home ⁵; see Public shelters in Singapore. Ask BCA and SCDF before planning anything; see Emergency contacts.

For the general questions to ask about any shelter, see What is a shelter's protection factor? and How much fresh air does a shelter need?.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my household shelter as a storeroom?

SCDF's rules focus on not impairing the shelter: keep the door and ventilation sleeves working and, in peacetime, leave at least 25% of each ventilation opening uncovered ¹⁵. Alterations need the Commissioner's written permission ¹.

Must the shelter door be a specific model?

Shelter doors must be approved by SCDF ³.

Who approves shelter plans in Singapore?

Since 1 April 2023, BCA, as part of the Building Plan and Structural Plan submissions, with a commissioning application on completion ².

What if a design cannot meet the requirements?

Deviations require a waiver from SCDF ²³.

What is the fine for damaging a household shelter?

Up to S$5,000, plus up to S$250 a day for a continuing offence after conviction ¹.

Sources

1. Attorney-General's Chambers – Singapore Statutes Online — Civil Defence Shelter Act 1997 — https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/CDSA1997 (accessed 2026-10-20)
2. Building and Construction Authority (BCA) — Household and Storey Shelters — https://www1.bca.gov.sg/regulatory-info/building-control/household-and-storey-shelters (accessed 2026-10-20)
3. Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) — Types of Shelter — https://scdf.gov.sg/home/civil-defence-shelter/types-of-shelter (accessed 2026-10-20)
4. Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) — About Civil Defence Shelter — https://www.scdf.gov.sg/home/civil-defence-shelter/about-civil-defence-shelter (accessed 2026-10-20)
5. Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) — Civil Defence Emergency Handbook (10th edition, 2026) – English — https://www.scdf.gov.sg/docs/default-source/comm.---volunteers-(docs)/2026-scdf-emergency-handbook(eng)_16-oct.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
6. Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) — Technical Requirements for Household Shelters 2023 — https://www.scdf.gov.sg/docs/default-source/cd-shelter-(docs)/technical-requirements-for-household-shelters-2023.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)