Indoor Security and Safe Rooms: Protective Structures for Existing Buildings

Modern security requirements increasingly include the possibility of converting an existing room or part of a building into a protected space. Instead of constructing a separate shelter, protection can be integrated into an existing structure using modular reinforced panels, steel systems and other protective technologies.

Atmas Group — Indoor Security and Safe Rooms describes several approaches for creating safe rooms, panic rooms, strong rooms and protected spaces inside existing buildings. These solutions are designed to be brought into an existing structure and assembled on site. 

What are indoor protective structures?

Indoor protective structures are modular systems installed within existing rooms, buildings or other structures. According to Atmas Group, such solutions can be used to protect people and equipment from threats associated with war and terror attacks, crime, natural and man-made disasters and accidents.

The company notes that shelters can be designed to provide high levels of security and protection according to international standards such as EN 1143-1, depending on the specific solution and project requirements. 

A major advantage of an indoor approach is that the protective structure can be installed inside an existing building rather than requiring an entirely separate construction project.

Blast and ballistic reinforcement of existing spaces

One of the solutions offered by Atmas is blast and ballistic reinforcement for existing spaces.

The system is intended for both retrofit and new projects where the protection level of an existing room or structure needs to be upgraded against:

• blast effects;

• ballistic threats;

• forced entry.

Atmas states that these solutions have been tested and approved for use by government and private organizations. 

This approach allows an existing space to become part of a broader building protection system without necessarily replacing the entire structure.

For projects requiring a more comprehensive reinforcement strategy, Atmas also provides dedicated blast and ballistic reinforcement solutions. 

Blast Mitigation Fabric for Reinforcement of Existing Structures

Atmas Group Blast Mitigation Fabric provides an effective solution for strengthening existing walls and structures against the effects of blast wave pressure and explosions. Installed directly onto the internal surface of walls, the high-strength fabric helps hold the wall together during a blast event, reducing structural fragmentation and limiting the projection of hazardous wall debris into protected areas. The solution is particularly suitable for protection upgrades and retrofit projects where conventional structural reinforcement may be difficult, costly or disruptive. It can be applied to critical infrastructure, industrial and government facilities, civil defence shelters, protected rooms and other buildings requiring enhanced blast protection. Atmas Group provides the solution as part of a comprehensive approach to blast mitigation, structural reinforcement and protection upgrades for existing facilities and infrastructure.

Modular steel safe room and panic room

The Modular Steel Saferoom / Panic Room / Gun Room is described by Atmas as a heavy-duty modular structure manufactured from 6 mm thick steel panels.

The panels are bolted together from the inside using lock bolts. The modular construction allows the number of modules to be added or removed to customize the overall size according to project requirements. 

Another important characteristic is mobility of the construction. The shelter can be:

1. assembled at the required location;

2. disassembled when necessary;

3. transported;

4. reassembled at another location.

This makes the system applicable where a permanent conventional construction solution is not the preferred approach.

Modular strong room with metal-concrete walls

Another configuration is the Modular Strong Room / Safe Room with Metal-Concrete Walls.

The structure is made from reinforced panels incorporating concrete inserts. Atmas describes this configuration as providing different protection levels and being designed for on-site assembly. 

The modular construction makes it possible to create an adaptable protected space according to the requirements of the particular facility.

Such a system can therefore be considered when a project requires a modular safe room, strong room or protected indoor structure with reinforced metal-concrete construction.

Protective panels for upgrading existing structures

Atmas also offers protective panels for protection upgrades of existing structures.

The system uses a modular reinforced-panel design intended to maximize the available internal space while integrating with the architecture of the existing room.

According to the manufacturer, the panels can be integrated with:

• walls;

• floors;

• ceilings;

• air systems;

• entrance openings.

The panels therefore serve both as structural support and as an additional layer of security reinforcement. 

This approach is particularly relevant for safe room construction inside existing buildings, where preservation of usable interior space is an important consideration.

Composite lightweight armour panels

A further option is the use of composite lightweight armour panels.

Atmas describes these panels as a professional solution for protecting buildings, walls and structures against:

• ballistic threats;

• blast threats;

• forced entry.

The company identifies retrofit integration and protection upgrades as applications for these panels. The listed potential environments include government, industrial and private buildings, embassies, police stations, security buildings, courtrooms, command and control rooms, mobile homes, containers, safe rooms, shelters, banks and strong rooms. 

Atmas separately describes its light composite armour as a solution for upgrading ballistic protection of walls, doors, desks and other areas requiring protection. 

Choosing the appropriate indoor protection solution

The available solutions address different structural and operational requirements.

Solution	Main characteristics
Blast and Ballistic Reinforcement	Upgrade of existing spaces against blast, ballistic and forced-entry threats
Modular Steel Saferoom	6 mm steel panels, modular construction, internal lock bolts
Metal-Concrete Strong Room	Reinforced panels with concrete inserts
Protective Panels	Modular reinforcement integrated with existing walls, floor, ceiling and openings
Composite Armour Panels	Lightweight protection solution for ballistic, blast and forced-entry threats
Blast Mitigation Fabric	Blast Mitigation Fabric for Reinforcement of Existing Structures

The appropriate configuration depends on the existing building, required protection level, available space, project requirements and intended application.

Indoor safe rooms as part of an integrated protection system

An indoor protected space should not necessarily be considered as an isolated structural element. Depending on the project, it can form part of a larger protected facility incorporating structural reinforcement, protected openings and air-management technologies.

Atmas' broader facilities-protection portfolio includes solutions for:

• blast and ballistic reinforcement;

• protective doors and openings;

• CBRN filtration and air management;

• EMP protection;

• container reinforcement;

• prefabricated shelters and bunkers. 

For example, Atmas provides CBRN filtration systems, CO₂ scrubbers, shelter ventilation blowers, blast valves, overpressure valves and blast/gastight piping as part of its wider protective-technology portfolio. 

This allows the protection concept to be developed around the characteristics of the building and the intended function of the protected space.

Applications

The Atmas indoor protection range can be considered for a broad range of existing and new structures.

The company's listed applications for its protective solutions include government and private buildings, industrial facilities, embassies, police stations, security buildings, courtrooms, command and control rooms, mobile homes, containers, banks, safe rooms and shelters. 

The approach is therefore suitable not only for conventional panic room and safe room projects, but also for protection upgrades in larger facilities.

Engineering an existing room into a protected space

The transformation of an existing room into a protected space requires consideration of the structure itself and the required protection functions.

Atmas' own technical article on converting rooms into protected spaces identifies several important areas, including structural reinforcement, blast and ballistic protection, airtightness and air management. 

Consequently, the engineering process should begin with an assessment of the existing structure and the intended protection requirements rather than simply selecting a single protective product.

The result can be a modular indoor security room, safe room, panic room or other protected space integrated into an existing building.

Conclusion

Indoor protective structures provide a practical approach to upgrading existing buildings without necessarily constructing a completely separate shelter. Atmas Group's current range includes blast and ballistic reinforcement, modular steel safe rooms, blast mitigation fabric, metal-concrete strong rooms, protective reinforced panels and composite lightweight armour panels. 

The modular character of these systems allows protection solutions to be adapted to different rooms, buildings and project requirements. Where necessary, indoor structural protection can also be combined with air filtration, protected openings and other technologies to create a more comprehensive protected facility.