Building Law 1992 — Mamad Requirements for New Construction in Israel

Background — Why the Law Was Enacted

In January 1991, during the Gulf War, 39 Iraqi Scud missiles hit Israel. Civilians were forced to shelter in sealed rooms with gas masks, but most apartments had no built-in protected space. The lesson was clear: Israel needed apartment-level protection.

In 1992, an amendment to the Planning and Building Law (Civil Defense Regulations) was enacted, requiring a Mamad (Merhav Mugan Dirti — apartment-level protected space) in every new residential unit. This is one of the most significant building regulations in Israel.

What the Law Requires

Mandatory in New Construction

All new construction for which a building permit was submitted from 1992 onward must include:

Mamad (apartment-level protected space) in every residential unit
Mamak (floor-level protected space) as an alternative in certain buildings
Mamam (institutional protected space) in public buildings — schools, hospitals, office buildings

Technical Requirements (Israeli Standard 4910)

The mamad must comply with Israeli Standard 4910:

Requirement	Specification
Minimum area	9 sqm
Wall thickness	30 cm reinforced concrete (B-30)
Ceiling height	2.5 meters minimum
Door	Steel, DR-4 grade, operable from both sides
Window	Max 50x30 cm, with steel shutter
Sealing	Continuous rubber gasket around entire door frame
Filtration	NBC system in exterior wall
Electricity	Power outlet and lighting
Communication	Phone connection (in new buildings, internet)

Full details: Israeli Standard 4910 Guide

Who Does the Law Apply To?

Required to Have a Mamad

New construction — every apartment, house, or residential unit with a permit application from 1992 onward
Building additions — adding a floor, expanding an apartment, or dividing a unit into multiple apartments
Change of use — converting a commercial building to residential
Major renovation — when renovation involves significant structural changes

Exemptions

Existing buildings — structures built before 1992 are not required to add a mamad (unless undergoing major renovation)
Temporary structures — buildings with a lifespan under 5 years
Very small structures — units where it is technically impossible to build a mamad (in exceptional cases only, with authority approval)

Connection to TAMA 38

TAMA 38 (National Master Plan for Earthquake Strengthening) also requires adding mamads to older buildings undergoing reinforcement. In TAMA 38 projects:

Every new or expanded apartment must include a mamad
Existing apartments renovated as part of the project receive a mamad
The cost is borne by the developer, not the residents

More details: TAMA 38 and Mamad Addition

Enforcement and Penalties

Local authorities are responsible for enforcing building law
Construction without a mamad when required can lead to a demolition order or fine
A Form 4 (occupancy permit) cannot be issued without confirmation that the mamad was built to standard
Inspection — the Home Front Command inspects mamads and certifies compliance

What to Check When Buying an Apartment

Year of construction — an apartment from 1992 onward must include a mamad. If it does not, investigate why
Form 4 — confirm there is an occupancy permit certifying the mamad is compliant
Mamad condition — check the door, rubber seal, window, and shutter. Use our readiness checker
Size — measure the area and verify it is at least 9 sqm
Filtration system — check if present and functional

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an apartment be exempted from the mamad requirement? Only in very exceptional cases, with an engineering opinion proving it is technically impossible. In practice, nearly all new construction must include a mamad.

What if the contractor built a non-compliant mamad? You can sue the contractor under the Sale of Apartments Law. The contractor is obligated to fix defects or compensate. The warranty period is 7 years from delivery.

Is the mamad counted in the apartment’s total area? Yes, the mamad area is included in the total apartment area for taxation and registration purposes.