This is a short history of civil defence shelters in Singapore:
- 1983: The construction of the first public shelters started by hardening nine underground MRT stations on the North-South and East-West Lines.
- 1987: A comprehensive shelter programme began with public shelters at void deck of new HDB residential blocks. Since then, public shelters have also been built in secondary schools, community centres and other public buildings.
- 1994: It was announced that Household Shelters would be built inside new HDB flats. This enables residents to have quick access to protection in a war or an emergency. Therefore, the practice of building public shelters at the
void deck of HDB blocks was discontinued. However, the programme to incorporate public shelters in secondary schools, community centres and other public buildings continued.
- 1997: Under the Civil Defence Shelter Act 1997, new houses and flats must have household / storey shelters incorporated into the development. Applications for planning permission for new flats or houses to Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) must therefore include household or storey shelters.
Public shelters are places where you can take refuge during a wartime emergency. They are designed with protective features against weapon effects to ensure a safe environment for the shelter occupants.
Public shelters can be found in MRT stations, HDBs, schools, community centres/clubs and other developments.
View the List of Civil Defence Public Shelters (PDF, 108 KB)
MRT Shelters
There are 60* underground MRT stations which are hardened to also function as public shelters and provide protection in a wartime emergency. MRT shelters can accommodate between 3,000 to 19,000 people depending on the size of the area.
Click on the banner above to access the MRT Civil Defence Shelter Interactive Tour!
*Total numbers as of completion of Circle Line (Stage 6)
Click on the banner above to access the MRT Civil Defence Shelter Interactive Tour!
Housing & Development Board (HDB) Shelters
HDB shelters are located in the basements or void-decks of 446 HDB residential apartment blocks.
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School Shelters
School shelters are located in 55 secondary schools’ basements (e.g. air-rifle ranges).
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Community Centre / Club Shelters
Community centre / club shelters are located in 31 community centres / clubs. Shelters here are generally used by the centres / clubs themselves for their own peacetime purposes.
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Public Development Shelters
There are 8 public development shelters with peacetime uses which include basement carparks and training or activity rooms.
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Household and Storey Shelters (HS/SS)
The HS/SS gives protection to residents against weapon effects such as blast and fragments during a wartime emergency. It has the advantage of being easily accessible when needed and requires minimal maintenance.
The HS/SS has its walls, floor and ceiling strengthened with increased thickness. Each shelter compartment is designed with two ventilation sleeve openings and a light protective steel door approved by SCDF. Each HS/SS door has a notice fixed to its interior
face, which identifies the structure as a HS/SS and states clearly the prohibited works within it. The owner or occupier is not allowed to tamper with the HS/SS door, structural walls, and the floor and ceiling slabs. The owner or occupier must also
maintain the HS/SS in accordance with the regulations, such as ensuring the HS/SS door and ventilation sleeves are able to operate smoothly, free of rust etc.
Improvised Cover At Home (ICAH)
If you live in a home without a shelter, you can perform ICAH using available household and furniture items during a wartime emergency. Such improvised cover can provide a considerable degree of protection against flying debris and glass splinters. In fact, it is relatively safer to stay at home under improvised cover during an attack than being out in the open trying to reach a public shelter.
During a wartime emergency, suitable part of a building (e.g. underground carpark) may be identified by SCDF and use as an improvised shelter when needed.
- Before the start of a wartime emergency, SCDF will increase public education programmes to prepare you to take precautionary and protective measures.
- You should prepare your shelter for occupation.
- When the "Alarm" signal from the Public Warning System is sounded, you need to move into the nearest shelter.
- In the shelter, you should tune in to local TV or radio channels for important messages. This can be done via mobile devices using WIFI / mobile networks or portable radios.
- Once the "All Clear" signal is sounded, you can leave the shelter and resume your daily routine.
- Preparation of Household Shelter (MP4)
- Preparation of Storey Shelter (MP4)
To identify a CD Public Shelter, look out for the CD shelter sign. You will see it near or at the places where the shelters are located.
Refer to the list of Civil Defence Public Shelters (PDF, 108 KB).
Locate your nearest CD Public Shelter on OneMap by following these steps:
| Steps | Screenshot |
|---|---|
| 1) Click on "Menu" tab; |  |
| 2) Click on the "Nearby" category; |  |
| 3) Click on “Safety and Security” category; |  |
| 4) Click on “Civil Defence Public Shelters”; |  |
| 5) Swipe "Menu" tab down to view map. |  |