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Title of the thesis: The Finnish Civil Defence Shelter System -  Evolution of the regulation and technical specification 1954-2011

Thesis defender: Pekka Kyrenius
Opponent: Professor Thomas Olofsson, Umeå University, Sweden
Opponent: Professor emeritus Mika Hyytiäinen, National Defence University, Finland 
Custos: Prof. Jouni Partanen,Aalto University School of Engineering

There are 50,500 civil defense (CD) shelters in Finland, with approximately 4.8 million shelter places for a population of 5.6 million. The construction of civil defense shelters is a legal obligation and is regulated by Acts, Decrees and technical regulations. This dissertation examines the development of civil defense shelter regulations in the years 1954–2011.


The development of shelter regulations was influenced by estimates of the military threat models, the desire to protect the population from weapons effects cost-effectively and to provide a reasonably safe and healthy, albeit uncomfortable, shelter environment.The specifics of the Finnish civil defense shelter design are compared with Swedish, Swiss, American and German regulations over the research timeline. The processes of ventilation and heat regulation have been analyzed using established technical methods.


The study defines the Finnish CD shelter system as a socio-technical system that encompasses various actors, interest groups, organizations, regulation, and the nationwide shelter system itself.


This study explores two questions: What significant changes occurred in the regulation of shelters during the study period and what was the root cause or effect of the changes? Are there any significant research gaps in Finnish CD shelter research and what is the significance of the gaps if found?


The evolution of regulation and changes are examined through three case studies, in which the perspectives are protection from weapon effects, maintenance of basic life functions of shelter users, and the combined effect of both.


The study shows how the Finnish CD shelter system developed its own technological style, the most significant feature of which, mirroring other countries that build shelters, is a cost-effective financing model. The owner of the shelter is responsible for the construction costs, not the taxpayers. Finnish shelter tests with users and the analysis of this study have shown that the design parameters of the shelters are valid. Temperature control of the shelter during use and possible air conditioning during hot and humid summer months are proposed as subjects for further research.


The shelter system is a success story, with an average of three years of defense budget, a system that protects the entire population has been built cost-effectively over decades.


The research is timely due to Finland's NATO membership and the upcoming legislative reform of civil defense regulations.

Thesis available for public display 10 days prior to the defence at . 

Contact information: 
E-mail: pekka.kyrenius@aalto.fi