What to do when there is no safe room in the house – Israel News
Not all homes in Israel are equipped with safety rooms.
In older buildings, residents often seek shelter in a stairwell, which is less secure than a protected space or designated shelter.
Is it possible to guarantee the safety of private apartments?
Shlomit Zeldman, owner of an architectural firm, discusses different options for fortifying apartments, private homes and offices. She suggests that residents of older buildings could install a large shield in the courtyard, providing a protected space for multiple individuals. Although this shield does not include the front wall, it is still a better choice for stair use.
Immediate solution
For those living in older buildings who want better protection, they can install dry-jointed steel panels and weld them to create a standard, certified protected area, Zeldman explains.
Although this solution is more expensive than yard fencing, it does not reduce the living space of the home. In relation to private homes, the new regulation allows for a secure room to be added easier as long as it remains within the confines of the building. The process involves submitting a plan to the Home Front Command, obtaining approval, and then notifying the municipality without needing a permit.
Alternatively, the same solution used for apartments could be applied to private homes, or a secure room could be created outside the house and connected to the interior.
Paneling a room is expensive and can cause inconvenience, but it creates a protected space inside the home, Zeldman said. Creating a safe room outside your home is a real estate opportunity.
When it comes to offices, Zeldman points out that floor-protected spaces are common in office buildings. However, new offices will likely feature protected floor spaces that are not tied to specific desks.
Other ideas
Architect Boaz Shaner recommends choosing a room with few openings and reinforcing the walls with iron or steel mesh covered in shotcrete. In addition, windows should be sealed with concrete and replaced with break-resistant windows and doors. Another method involves turning the room into an armored space by reinforcing the walls with thick steel plates and using a special mesh for added strength.
Shaner stresses the importance of consulting an experienced engineer and a contractor approved by the Home Front Command when making these changes.
With the right expertise, residents can enhance their spaces and enhance safety measures.
