Standard technical specification for shelters to be developed by October

The Ministry of Economics (MoE) in cooperation with the State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) will develop a standard technical specification for shelters by October, including optimal requirements for industrial production, delivery, and placement. This is stipulated in a report submitted to the government by the Ministry of the Interior (MoI).

Additionally, by December, the MoE together with the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development will assess the need to amend planning regulations, allowing exemptions from territorial planning requirements when constructing shelters on existing built-up land. The government plans to task the MoI and MoE with initiating a standard design for standalone shelters.

In recent years, the volume of industrially produced shelters has increased due to technological developments and climate requirements. These are prefabricated modules made of reinforced concrete or composite materials, equipped with air filtration, ventilation, and ballistic protection systems. Such shelters meet NATO standards and provide higher protection than Latvia's third and second category requirements.

The MoI believes that developing a detailed technical project is not useful, as it would only apply to traditional construction and couldn't cover diverse needs. Therefore, a standard technical specification suitable for industrial production will be developed.

Furthermore, the MoI has submitted amendments to the EU cohesion policy program, introducing a new measure “Construction of standard shelters for state and local government institutions” with total funding of €10 million. Of this, €8.5 million would come from EU funds and €1.5 million from the state budget. The plan is to build ten standard shelters in at least five administrative territorial units.