Key points of the article:

• Primary mobile shelters (PMU) are modular engineering structures designed for the rapid sheltering of people from modern threats, mandatory for facilities with mass gatherings of people.
• The design of PMU is calculated to address complex threats, including shock waves, fragmentary injuries, chemical and radiological contamination, as well as partial collapses of adjacent buildings.
• The protection principles of primary mobile shelters (PMU) are based on clearly defined gathering time, engineering strength, airtightness, and the presence of autonomous life-support systems.
• In Ukraine, the creation, placement, and operation of PMU are regulated by the Civil Protection Code, DBN V.2.2-5:2023, and state standards DSTU.
• The basic PMU configuration includes a reinforced concrete structure, a filter ventilation system, a backup power supply, communication means, a sanitary unit, spaces for placing people, a water supply, and emergency equipment.
• Important requirements include selecting the site, determining the gathering radius, ensuring the presence of emergency exits, providing access for machinery, and adhering to regulatory distances from buildings and communications.
• The acceptance of PMU from the supplier involves verifying the full package of technical documentation, test results, completeness, labeling, and preparing an acceptance certificate for the facility's registration.

 

Primary Mobile Shelter (PMU) is a modular engineering structure for the rapid sheltering of people from modern threats. It is mandatory for use in facilities with mass gatherings of people, including enterprises, educational institutions, shopping centers, and train stations. Its key advantage is the quick installation, which can be completed within a few hours, with the ability to protect citizens in the event of a sudden escalation of danger.

Threat levels and protection principles

The effectiveness of any protective structure is determined by its ability to withstand specific classes of threats. The engineering solutions incorporated into the design of primary mobile shelters are developed for specific types of dangers, making them a universal tool for civil defense.

Classes of threats

Modern threats are complex, so the shelter must provide protection from multiple threats simultaneously. The main damaging factors include the impact of shock waves of varying intensity and injuries from fragments of secondary projectiles — debris from destroyed structures. No less dangerous is chemical contamination of the atmosphere with toxic substances or hazardous chemicals, which requires a high level of airtightness. A separate category is radioactive contamination of the area, against which only structures with filtration and air support systems are effective. Additionally, the shelter's frame must withstand both dynamic and static loads resulting from partial collapses of nearby buildings' elements.

Key principles of protection

The implementation of comprehensive protection in PMU is based on three main principles. The first principle is temporal, stipulating that the interval from the moment of receiving the alarm signal to the complete sheltering of people must be minimal. This principle is enshrined in regulatory documents, including DBN V.2.2-5:2023. The engineering principle requires that the design have a calculated safety margin, provide complete airtightness, and be equipped with autonomous life-support systems, including ventilation, power supply, and water supply. The ergonomic principle focuses on organizing the internal space to minimize psychological stress and meet the basic physiological needs of people during their calculated stay, which can range from several hours to several days.

Regulatory and legal framework in Ukraine

The creation, placement, and operation of primary mobile shelters are strictly regulated by national regulatory legal acts:

Regulatory Document	What It Describes
Civil Protection Code of Ukraine, specifically Article 32	The foundational document that imposes a direct obligation on the heads of enterprises, institutions, and organizations to equip and maintain protective structures for their employees. This law forms the legal framework for all subsequent regulatory acts.
DBN V.2.2-5:2023 "Civil Protection Protective Structures"	A set of rules that details the classification of shelters, construction requirements, capacity, strength characteristics, as well as the composition and parameters of life-support systems, including ventilation, power supply, water supply, and communication.
DSTU 9329:2025 "Primary (Mobile) Shelters. Main Parameters and Testing Methods"	Establishes unified testing methods for resistance to shock wave impact, airtightness, and protection against penetrating radiation.
DSTU 9195:2022 "Quick-Assembly Civil Protection Modular Protective Structures"	Regulates general technical requirements for quick-assembly modular protective structures, defining approaches to their design, module connection, and element standardization.

Basic Components and Configuration

A high-quality mobile shelter is a complex technological product where each component plays a crucial role in ensuring autonomous survival. Here are the key features of its configuration:

1. Structure. Made of high-quality reinforced concrete that meets the required standards for resisting both dynamic and static loads. Engineering calculations are done during the design phase to ensure it can withstand excess pressure from shock waves. All structural components undergo checks to ensure they meet strength and airtightness standards.
2. Ventilation and Filtration. The typical configuration includes coarse filters to capture large dust particles and aerosols, as well as fine filters (at least F7 class) for trapping radioactive dust and biological agents. Absorbent filters are installed for protection against toxic substances. An electric hand-held fan creates internal overpressure in the range of 5–50 Pa, preventing contaminated air from being drawn in through microcracks. The system is designed to provide at least 2 m³/h of purified air per person in clean ventilation mode and up to 10 m³/h in filtration mode.
3. Power Supply, Communication, and Navigation. The power supply system is typically dual-level, comprising an external power network and a primary backup power source. Diesel generators or powerful battery systems are commonly used to power emergency lighting and ventilation for 3 to 6 hours. An automatic backup system is mandatory to ensure the continuous operation of life-support systems. The basic configuration includes wired communication with the external control point, a field telephone, and an emergency button for sending a distress signal. The location of the shelter is marked with standard safety signs, as per DSTU, made from reflective materials that are visible both during the day and at night.
4. Interior and Safety. The interior is organized to meet basic human needs and minimize psychological stress. Two- or three-tiered bunks are installed, with a minimum of 0.5 m² per person for sitting and 1.5 m² per person for lying down. A sanitary unit with a bio-toilet and an autonomous ventilation system is mandatory. Emergency lighting powered by a backup source, first-aid kits, a drinking water supply (3 liters per person per day), and CO2 fire extinguishers are essential elements of the PMU configuration.

Placement and Installation Requirements

Key aspects of shelter placement and installation:

1. Site. The most important consideration is the selection and preparation of the site. The area must have a level surface and stable soil with low groundwater levels to avoid the risk of flooding. Engineering and geological surveys are conducted before installation to assess the soil's load-bearing capacity.
2. Location. The standard gathering radius is 500 meters, and the time from the alarm signal to complete sheltering of people should not exceed 10 minutes.
3. Logistics and Evacuation. At least two emergency exits, located diagonally, and clear access routes for heavy machinery required for deployment are mandatory.
4. The distance from the shelter to buildings and communications should be at least half the height of the nearest structure to protect against debris.

Advantages of Hobbit House Shelters

PMU from Hobbit House is designed and manufactured in full compliance with Ukrainian regulations. Key benefits of the company:

1. Each shelter fully complies with the current edition of DBN V.2.2-5:2023, as confirmed by conformity declarations and acceptance test protocols.
2. The structures are mandatory for airtightness and strength testing. The company has received official certification from the State Certification Center of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine for the "Fortetsia" ground fortification shelter type, in accordance with DSTU 9329:2025.
3. A fully factory-controlled production cycle at every stage ensures high quality and eliminates potential errors due to human factors.
4. The modular system technology provides clients with flexibility in choosing solutions, as the shelter’s capacity increases proportionally with the number of modules connected. This allows for easy and reliable scaling from basic modules for 20–50 people to larger complexes with high capacity.

We handle turnkey projects of any complexity, managing all tasks from site analysis and geodetic surveys to design, delivery, assembly, system commissioning, and subsequent service maintenance in accordance with regulations.

Shelter Acceptance Checklist from the Supplier

The acceptance of the finished shelter is a critical technological and administrative step that requires careful verification of the availability and correctness of all accompanying documentation and equipment.

Basic Checklist:

1. Availability of a declaration of conformity with the technical regulations and a complete set of test protocols confirming the stated protective characteristics — resistance to shock waves and the level of airtightness.
2. Checking the product passport and the user manual, which should provide a detailed list of spare parts, tools, and accessories.
3. Verifying the technical specification of the filter ventilation system, including protocols for checking its performance and cleaning efficiency in various operating modes.
4. Checking the comprehensive inspection report for the functionality of all engineering systems: ease of opening emergency exits, operation of emergency lighting from all power sources, and proper operation of the automatic backup system.
5. Conduct a visual inspection to ensure the presence of all required markings, evacuation plans, and informational notices for those taking shelter.
6. The presence of an acceptance certificate which serves as the basis for placing the shelter on the company's balance sheet. It should contain a full description of the transferred property, including serial numbers.

Any project also includes signing warranty certificates for the equipment, as well as a service agreement that defines the procedures for technical maintenance, the frequency of inspections, and the conditions for training responsible personnel.

FAQ

1. How does a mobile shelter differ from a stationary one?

Stationary shelters are structures that are designed and built as an integral part of a building or infrastructure. These include adapted basements, special floors, and separately located shelters. Their modification or relocation requires extensive construction work, which is practically impossible. A mobile shelter is an autonomous object that is delivered to the site of operation in its finished form or as modules and is assembled in a short period of time by a few specialists. Its main advantage is flexibility in placement, independence from the architectural features of nearby buildings, and the ability to quickly change location based on the changing operational situation.

2. Is it necessary to include PMU in the civil protection shelter fund, and how is this done?

Yes, including a primary mobile shelter (UPMU) in the civil protection shelter fund is considered a mandatory procedure, regulated by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (CMU) Resolution No. 138. This is necessary for accounting, control, and ensuring funding for its maintenance. The facility's owner submits a written application to the relevant local authority, which is the executive body of the rural, settlement, or city council. The application must be accompanied by a package of documents, including the product passport, the commissioning act, the test results conclusion, the planimetric maps indicating the exact location, and other technical documents that confirm compliance with standards. Based on the positive decision of the local authority, the PMU is included in the register of the civil protection shelter fund and accepted for maintenance, which imposes an obligation on the owner to maintain it in readiness.