Short answer. Kazakhstan has two official standards for "simple shelters" (простейшие укрытия). Building norms SN RK 2.04-15-2024, approved on 22 October 2024, make shelter-function rooms mandatory in new designs for 16 types of buildings with mass occupancy 2. National standard ST RK 4016-2025, in force since 1 January 2026, sets general requirements for adapting existing basements, ground floors, underground car parks and tunnels, for stays of up to 12 hours 1.
What are the two standards?
| Code | Title | Approved | In force | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| СН РК 2.04-15-2024 (SN RK) | Простейшие укрытия ("Simple shelters") | 22 Oct. 2024, order No. 134-NK 2 | Announced by MChS on 30 Oct. 2024 as introduced 2 | New buildings: 16 types with mass occupancy 2 |
| СТ РК 4016-2025 (ST RK) | Безопасность в чрезвычайных ситуациях. Приспособление простейших укрытий для защиты населения. Общие требования | 23 Oct. 2025, order No. 64-NK 1 | 1 Jan. 2026 1 | Adapting existing below-ground spaces; occupancy up to 12 hours 1 |
What does SN RK 2.04-15-2024 require?
These building norms concern new construction. They make rooms with a shelter function mandatory in the design of new buildings of 16 types where many people gather 2. The MChS announcement does not, in the data checked here, list technical values for the general public.
What does ST RK 4016-2025 cover?
This national standard, titled "Safety in emergencies. Adaptation of simple shelters for protection of the population. General requirements", deals with existing spaces 1. It sets general requirements for adapting:
- basements;
- ground floors;
- underground car parks;
- tunnels.
The standard plans for short stays: "simple shelters are designed for the population to stay up to 12 hours" ("Простейшие укрытия рассчитаны на пребывание населения до 12 часов") 1. It was approved on 23 October 2025 by order No. 64-NK and came into force on 1 January 2026 1.
How do these standards fit with other shelters?
Simple shelters are one part of Kazakhstan's protection system. Civil-defence protective structures (blast shelters, anti-radiation shelters and mobile structures) are covered by the Law on Civil Protection and serve organisations assigned civil-defence categories. See public shelters for the overall picture and the 2022 count of 12,963 simple shelters.
Do these standards apply to a private home shelter?
Neither standard is presented as a rule for private household shelters, and Kazakhstan has no regime specific to them (see build a shelter). An engineer may still use them as a reference. Phaenyx does not give structural construction instructions.
Which general guides explain the technical terms?
Our guides cover the concepts that shelter standards deal with: protection factor, shelter ventilation, NBC filtration, radon in underground spaces and safe room standards in other countries.
Frequently asked questions
When did ST RK 4016-2025 come into force?
On 1 January 2026. It was approved on 23 October 2025 by order No. 64-NK 1.
How long can people stay in a simple shelter under the Kazakh standard?
Up to 12 hours 1.
Which buildings must include shelter rooms?
SN RK 2.04-15-2024 makes shelter-function rooms mandatory in new designs for 16 types of buildings with mass occupancy 2.
Where can I read the full texts?
The MChS announcements linked below describe both documents 12. The full standards are official documents of the Republic of Kazakhstan; ask the publisher or your designer for the complete text.
Sources
- Министерство по чрезвычайным ситуациям Республики Казахстан — Новый стандарт гражданской обороны СТ РК 4016-2025 (9 Apr. 2026) — https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/emer/press/news/details/1197020?lang=ru (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Министерство по чрезвычайным ситуациям Республики Казахстан (Комитет гражданской обороны и воинских частей) — Введены в действие новые строительные нормы Республики Казахстан СН РК 2.04-15-2024 «Простейшие укрытия» (30 Oct. 2024) — https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/emer/press/news/details/874105?lang=ru (accessed 2026-10-20)
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Sources
- Министерство по чрезвычайным ситуациям Республики Казахстан · Новый стандарт гражданской обороны СТ РК 4016-2025 checked 2026-10-20
- Министерство по чрезвычайным ситуациям Республики Казахстан (Комитет гражданской обороны и воинских частей) · Введены в действие новые строительные нормы Республики Казахстан СН РК 2.04-15-2024 «Простейшие укрытия» checked 2026-10-20