Inspection and Recommendations for Renovation / Modernization of Old Shelters & Bunkers
- Andrey Shpak
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 24

Survey and Inspection of the technical condition of the civil protection protective structure and report and future recommendations.
The purpose of survey and inspection is to create a technical report on the inspection of the object with conclusions on the technical condition of building structures, special protective devices, engineering systems and recommendations for further safe and reliable operation.
Actions that are usually performed during the survey:
Analysis of the initial available data: conditions, available documentation for the object of examination, materials of past surveys, measurements, etc.
Detailed inspection of shelter structure and detection, measurement, sketching and photographing of the existing defects and damage. Identifying the possible causes for the damage and the current dynamics of the defects in the structure into more severe.
Instrumental inspection and testing of the strength of materials (concrete, connections, rebars etc.) of the structure (shelter).
Visual inspection of the engineering systems: ventilation systems, pipelines, components of the fire alarm system, power cables, etc.
Evaluating the need for additional more deep inspection due to the findings.
Analysis of the results of the survey, preparation of a report with extended conclusions and recommendations on the technical condition and further reliable operation of the shelter and/or the volume of defects that need to be fixed.
Compilation of a technical report and recommendations.
Information and instruments for the survey:
Ownership of the shelter / real estate and technical documentation for protective structure of civil protection (civil defence) shelter.
Documentation of previous inspections and technical condition of the civil defence shelter.
General characteristics of the areal conditions (snow load, wind load (Pa), etc.)
List of instruments and measuring devices used in the survey: laser rangefinder, camera, roulette, caliper, strength meter of concrete, bricks and mortars, measuring devise for the protective layer of concrete and the diameter of reinforcements in reinforced concrete and other devices
General characteristics of the shelter:
Object description and current usage of the structure (civil defence shelter, bomb shelter, bunker, etc.)
Topographic plan and location (street, area, under the existing building, near the building or structure, etc.)Information about the protective structure according to the passport (class/classification of the shelter, capacity (people), area (m2), volume (m3), more detailed information is provided in the technical document.
Volumetric planning characteristics – shape, staircases, exits and their location internally and externally.
Design criteria - the structural scheme of the structure, foundation, external and internal bearing walls of the building. Dividers, covering of the building, stairs to the shelter, earth coverage on the top, floors, interior decoration of the surfaces, inner doors in the premises, waterproofing of walls and floors and other.
Description of the engineering systems: water supply, drainage, heat supply, power supply, ventilation.
Results and analysis
Technical condition of the structural elements
Technical condition of the engineering systems
Technical condition of the special protective devices
Methods of testing and research and applicable standards / norms
Methods for determining the strength of materials
Methods for determining the geometric dimensions of the structures and the parameters of their reinforcement
Norms and standards for protective and life support equipment
Conclusions and recommendations
References and regulations
Shelter renovation examples


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