Short answer. Turkey's Shelter Regulation sets minimums for fallout shelters: at least 1 m² net per person, 2.40 m clear height, walls and ceiling of at least 60 cm concrete (or 75 cm brick or stone, or 90 cm compacted earth), a steel door with a right-angle turn, mechanical ventilation with HEPA or sand filtration, and fan power from a generator or UPS with a hand-crank backup 1.
What are the technical minimums?
| Rule | Minimum in the regulation 1 |
|---|---|
| Floor area | At least 1 m² net per person (toilet, shower and kitchen niche excluded) |
| Occupancy count | 2 people per 1-room dwelling, 3 per 2-room, 4 per 3+ rooms; other buildings: floor area / 20 |
| Clear height | At least 2.40 m |
| External wall and ceiling thickness | At least 60 cm concrete, 75 cm brick or stone, or 90 cm compacted earth (or equivalent) |
| Entrance | Steel door, at least one right-angle turn; two exits above 100 m² net |
| Ventilation | Mechanical; nuclear-type HEPA or sand-bed filtration in protection periods, G4 filter in peacetime; TS 3419 and TS 3420 |
| Power | Generator or UPS for the fan, hand-crank backup; 24 h uninterrupted power in public, health and education buildings |
| Sanitation | One toilet and washbasin for men and one for women per 100 people; kitchen niche of at least 2.30 m² above 100 m² |
| Communications | Communication socket plus satellite phone infrastructure and/or emergency Wi-Fi point, tested yearly |
The floor-area rule is stated in the regulation as: "Kişi başına en az net bir metrekarelik sığınak yeri ayrılır" — at least one net square metre of shelter space is allotted per person 1.
How is the number of places calculated?
For dwellings, the count depends on room numbers: 2 people for a one-room dwelling, 3 for two rooms, and 4 for three rooms or more 1. For other buildings, the number of people is the floor area divided by 20 1. Each person then needs at least 1 m² net of shelter space 1. An engineer confirms the actual layout.
Which Turkish standards apply?
Ventilation design follows Turkish standards TS 3419 and TS 3420, and all TSE (Turkish Standards Institution) standards apply 1. In peacetime a G4 filter is used; in protection periods, nuclear-type HEPA filtration or a sand-bed filter 1. Our guides on shelter ventilation and NBC filtration explain these systems in general terms.
Is shelter equipment certified?
We found no separate product homologation for shelter equipment in Turkey. Compliance is checked through the building permit and occupancy permit process 12. See building a shelter for how that works.
What do the wall thicknesses mean?
The thicknesses are mass requirements: 60 cm of concrete, 75 cm of brick or stone or 90 cm of compacted earth are treated as equivalent 1. Our protection factor guide explains why mass reduces radiation exposure. Phaenyx does not give structural instructions; design and construction must be done by qualified engineers.
Frequently asked questions
How much space per person does a Turkish shelter need?
At least 1 m² net per person, not counting the toilet, shower and kitchen niche 1.
How high must the ceiling be?
At least 2.40 m clear height 1.
Does a shelter need a generator?
The fan needs power from a generator or UPS, with a hand-crank backup. Public, health and education buildings need 24 hours of uninterrupted power 1.
When does a shelter need two exits?
Above 100 m² net 1.
Sources
- Resmî Gazete / Çevre, Şehircilik ve İklim Değişikliği Bakanlığı — Sığınak Yönetmeliğinde Değişiklik Yapılmasına Dair Yönetmelik (Resmî Gazete, 7 Kasım 2025, Sayı 33070) — https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2025/11/20251107-2.htm (accessed 2026-10-20)
- AFAD - Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı — Sığınaklar — https://www.afad.gov.tr/siginaklar (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Turkey, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Resmî Gazete / Çevre, Şehircilik ve İklim Değişikliği Bakanlığı · Sığınak Yönetmeliğinde Değişiklik Yapılmasına Dair Yönetmelik (Resmî Gazete, 7 Kasım 2025, Sayı 33070) checked 2026-10-20
- AFAD - Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı · Sığınaklar checked 2026-10-20