The Ministry of the Interior has put forward draft amendments that would increase the size of air defense shelters in new buildings, including schools and factories, to 1m² per person, with more shelters to be located underground.
The proposal was put forward considering that possible air strikes would most likely be missile strikes.
The draft amendments would require that shelter ventilation systems be mechanical, connect to emergency power supplies and provide a ventilation rate of at least 25m³ per hour per square meter of floor space.
Photo: Ann Wang, Reuters
Moreover, emergency lighting and power outlet devices would be installed in shelters, while requirements would be updated for door and window fireproofing, the draft states.
Washrooms would also be required as a fixed feature in newly built air defense shelters.
The amendments would target Articles 141, 142 and 144 of the Building Technical Regulations (建築技術規則).
Other countries have higher standards for public evacuation spaces used for short-term shelter, meaning one day or less, the draft states.
For example, Finland requires a minimum of 0.75m² per person, while South Korea has a set 0.825m² and Switzerland 1m², it states.
Taiwan’s guidelines at present allow for 0.75m² per person.
The Building Technical Regulations, which mostly concern new builds, allow for 0.9m² per person according to calculations by the National Police Agency, which can be increased to 1m², an official said.
The draft amendments would also require that reinforced concrete be at least 30cm thick for shelter walls, ceilings and spaces surrounding above-ground entrances and exits.
Current regulations call for a thickness of 24cm, below the 30cm enforced in South Korea, Switzerland and Singapore, the draft states.
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