It is the property owner who owns and is responsible for the condition of the existing shelters, according to the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB). At Stockholm University, Akademiska Hus is the property owner and therefore responsible.
It is also the property owner who is responsible for ensuring that all equipment is available, that the shelter works properly and that it is opened up in case of heightened alert.
“At Stockholm University, there are about 30 shelters and in total there is room for about 6,500 people in them”, says Nellie Grenius, Head of Security at Stockholm University.
The shelters are located adjacent to Södra huset, Universitetsvägen, Arrheniuslaboratoriet and Geovetenskapens Hus as well as by Svante Arrhenius väg, in Kräftriket and in Frescati Hage (see map above).
“Shelters are spaces for the protection of the population in war. We hope we never have to use these. However, due to the situation in the world, the work of producing continuity plans in the business has begun. This work includes reflecting on how we can best support the property owner to quickly prepare the shelters if necessary”, says Nellie Grenius.
Shelters may in peacetime be used for other purposes than as shelters, but they must be able to be set up for their purpose within 48 hours.
What if the shelters at Frescati need to be used?
“If the risk of war is great, the government decides on heightened alert and the public is informed through radio and television. Once a decision has been made, the property owner is responsible for putting the shelters in order. When this is done, there must be water bottled in vessels, heating, ventilation and toilet facilities.”
The shelters are for everyone
Shelters that have been put in order are considered a public place and are for everyone in the civilian population, regardless of whether you are a Swedish citizen or not.
“You do not belong to a special shelter and if you do not find a shelter in your neighborhood, the advice is to find another protective space, such as a basement, a tunnel or a metro station”, says Nellie Grenius.
All shelters must have a storage room with equipment, tools and instructions so that the property owner together with those seeking protection can help empty the shelter and ensure that, for example, water and toilet vessels are in place.
The shelter should only be used temporarily and therefore there is a lack of such things as food, extra clothes and mattresses. In a war situation, everyone also needs to be prepared for the fact that there may be interruptions in, for example, the water, electricity and heating supply.
More information about shelters at the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (Swedish)
Questions and answers about shelters at the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (Swedish)
Shelter Map from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (Swedish)