Stellos Brief · Rules

What Makes a Garage or Basement a Shelter Point in Poland

An underground garage is a strong shelter-point candidate for an obvious reason: it is already below grade, structural and enclosable. But "good candidate" is not "compliant." Let me walk through the practical dimensions that decide whether a space can be organised as a temporary shelter point, with the firm caveat that the binding spec is set by regulation, not by this article.

Stellos operates parking technology across Switzerland and Germany, trusted by teams at Google, Swisscom, Implenia, Wincasa, CWS and Sony.

Why below-grade parking starts ahead

The temporary shelter point category exists precisely so that suitable existing space can be pressed into service, and an underground garage ticks the first boxes by default: it is underground, it has a load-bearing structure and a concrete envelope, it can be closed off, and it usually has multiple access routes. That is why the law and the planners keep naming underground parking specifically. You are starting from a structure, not a green field.

The dimensions that decide it

Turning that candidate into a usable shelter point is about a handful of practical questions: access and egress (can people get in quickly and out safely), ventilation and air, drinking-water provision, usable capacity per person, basic sanitation, power and lighting resilience, and clear signage and an organisation plan so the space can actually be activated. None of these are exotic for a parking structure, which is the point, but each has a defined standard you must meet.

The line you must not cross alone

Here is the discipline. Exact figures (area per person, ventilation rates, water volumes, organisation timelines) are fixed in implementing regulations and technical guidance that are still maturing in Poland, and they can differ by building. I am deliberately not quoting numbers here, because a wrong number on a safety structure is worse than no number. This is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Shelter rules, technical specifications and funding amounts change and vary by location. Verify the current requirements with the relevant authorities (in Poland: MSWiA and the State Fire Service; in Switzerland: BABS) and a qualified planner before acting.

Design it once, benefit twice

The smart move, especially for new projects caught by the 1 January 2026 rule (the act explained), is to design for dual use from day one rather than retrofit later, the approach Switzerland has run for decades (the Swiss model). A garage planned as a shelter point keeps earning as parking the rest of the time. Funding may be available to help (grants and funds).