Standard 4910 — Everything You Need to Know About Mamad Regulations

What is Standard 4910?

Israeli Standard 4910 (IS 4910) is the official standard that defines the construction and maintenance requirements for residential protected spaces (mamad) in Israel. Published by the Standards Institution of Israel (SII), the standard is updated periodically and applies to all new construction. The current version incorporates lessons learned from multiple rounds of military conflict and reflects the latest understanding of ballistic threats and chemical warfare protection.

The standard covers everything from wall thickness and concrete grade to door specifications and filtration system requirements. Compliance is verified during the building permit process and through inspections by the local planning committee.

Main Requirements

Minimum Dimensions

Requirement	Specification	Purpose
Floor area	9 sqm minimum	Enough space for a family of 4-5
Height	2.5 meters minimum	Standard room height for habitation
Width	1.6 meters minimum	Ensures the room is usable, not a narrow corridor
Door opening	80cm minimum	Allows passage with children or equipment

The 9 sqm minimum applies to the net usable area inside the mamad. Some builders offer larger mamads (12-15 sqm) as an upgrade option, which is worth considering if your family is large.

Walls

Thickness: 30cm reinforced concrete minimum — this is roughly 3x the thickness of a standard interior wall
Concrete strength: B-30 minimum (approximately 30 MPa compressive strength)
Reinforcement: Double steel mesh with specific bar diameters and spacing defined in the standard
Continuity: The walls must be continuous from floor to ceiling with no breaks except for the door and window openings
Connection: Walls must be structurally connected to the building’s frame to prevent separation during an explosion

Ceiling and Floor

Ceiling: Same reinforced concrete specification as the walls (30cm B-30 with double mesh)
Floor: Reinforced concrete, connected to the walls
No penetrations: No pipes, ducts, or conduits may pass through the ceiling or walls of the mamad except for the designated openings (door, window, filtration, electrical)

Door

Type: Standard steel door, DR-4 grade or higher
Opening direction: Inward (so that external debris cannot block the door)
Lock: Manual, operable from both sides — important so that people inside are not trapped, and people outside can enter during an emergency
Sealing: Continuous rubber gasket around the entire door perimeter
Weight: Typically 80-130 kg depending on the protection level
Swing clearance: The door must open fully without obstruction

Window

Size: Maximum 50x30 cm — deliberately small to minimize the vulnerable opening
Shutter: Steel, opens from the inside only — the shutter provides blast and shrapnel protection
Sealing: Fully sealed when closed, with rubber gasket
Location: Must be on an exterior wall for ventilation and emergency filtration
Glass: The window glass itself is standard (not blast-resistant) — the steel shutter provides the protection

Filtration System

Location: Air filtration unit mounted in or near the window opening on the exterior wall
Filter: NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) rated filter capable of removing chemical and biological agents from incoming air
Ventilation: Overpressure relief valve to maintain positive pressure inside the mamad (preventing contaminated air from seeping in)
Mandatory: Required in all new construction since the early 2000s
Filter lifespan: Filters have a limited shelf life (typically 5-10 years sealed, shorter once opened) and must be replaced according to manufacturer specifications

Electrical and Communication

Power: At least one electrical outlet and one light fixture
Communication: A telephone/internet connection point
Emergency: Wiring must be routed through protected conduits

History and Updates

Year	Milestone
1991	Gulf War — Iraqi Scud missiles hit Israel, exposing lack of residential protection
1992	Law passed requiring mamad in all new construction
1993	First version of Standard 4910 published
2002	Major update adding NBC filtration requirements
2006	Post-Second Lebanon War updates (northern border threats)
2014	Updates following Operation Protective Edge
2023-2024	Ongoing review following October 7 and multi-front conflict

How to Check Compliance

Self-Assessment

Use our Mamad Readiness Checker to perform a basic compliance check. The 10-question assessment covers the most critical elements:

Does the door close and lock properly?
Is the rubber seal intact and flexible?
Does the steel shutter close and lock?
Is the room free of unauthorized penetrations (holes, added pipes)?
Is the ventilation/filtration opening accessible?
Does the room have working electricity?
Is the room at least 9 sqm?
Are the walls solid concrete (no drywall additions)?
Can the room be cleared for use within 2 minutes?
Do you have a sealing kit available?

Professional Inspection

For a thorough assessment, hire a certified inspector. A professional inspection (500-1,000 ₪) includes:

Measurement of wall thickness and room dimensions
Door alignment and seal integrity testing
Window and shutter functionality check
Filtration system inspection (if installed)
Concrete quality assessment (visual and tap test)
Written report with findings and recommendations

Municipal Inspection

Your local planning committee (vaada mekomit) can send an inspector. This is particularly relevant for:

New apartments still under builder warranty (the builder must fix non-compliance)
Before purchasing an apartment (to verify the mamad meets standards)
After renovations that may have affected the mamad structure

Common Compliance Issues

Issue	How Common	Fix	Cost
Damaged rubber seal	Very common	Replace seal	200-500 ₪
Door won’t close	Common	Hinge adjustment or replacement	300-4,500 ₪
Unauthorized holes in walls	Common (from AC, cables)	Professional concrete patching	500-2,000 ₪
Missing filtration system	Common in older mamads	Install NBC filter	3,000-8,000 ₪
Drywall added inside mamad	Occasional	Remove drywall, restore concrete	1,000-3,000 ₪
Window shutter doesn’t close	Occasional	Repair or replace mechanism	500-1,500 ₪

What Happens If Your Mamad Isn’t Compliant?

New apartments (within warranty): The builder is obligated to fix any issues at their own expense. The warranty for structural elements is typically 7 years from delivery
Older apartments: The tenant or building committee (vaad bayit) is responsible for upgrades and maintenance
Consequences: Non-compliance can affect your home insurance (some insurers require a functional mamad), reduce property value by 10-15%, and most importantly, leave you without adequate protection during an emergency

Legal Rights

If you discover that a newly purchased apartment has a non-compliant mamad, you may have legal recourse against the developer. Consult with a real estate attorney who specializes in construction defects.

For rental properties, the landlord is generally responsible for ensuring the mamad meets basic functional requirements (door closes, seal is intact, window works).

FAQ

Does Standard 4910 apply to older buildings? The standard applies to new construction from 1992 onward. Older buildings are not legally required to comply, but upgrading is strongly recommended for safety. If a major renovation is undertaken, the municipality may require adding a mamad as part of the building permit.

Who is responsible for mamad maintenance? The tenant is responsible for routine upkeep (keeping the room accessible, lubricating the lock, not damaging the door). The building committee (vaad bayit) is responsible for shared protected spaces (mamak). For structural issues in individual mamads, responsibility typically falls on the apartment owner.

Can a mamad be expanded? Yes, subject to a building permit and full compliance with the standard. Expansion requires re-engineering the reinforcement design and must be done by a licensed structural engineer and contractor.

Can I convert my mamad into a bathroom or kitchen? No. Running water pipes through mamad walls is prohibited because it creates penetrations that compromise the room’s integrity. The mamad must remain a dry room that can function as a protected space.

Is it legal to remove the mamad door? No. The mamad door is a safety-critical element and removing it violates the standard. Some tenants remove the heavy door for daily convenience, which is both illegal and dangerous.

What if my building has a mamak instead of individual mamads? Buildings with mamaks (floor-level shelters) are still compliant with the law as it existed when they were built. However, individual mamads provide significantly faster access and better chemical protection. If possible, consider adding a mamad to your apartment.

How often should the filtration filter be replaced? Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, but typically sealed (unused) filters last 5-10 years. Once a filter has been activated (used during an event), it should be replaced immediately. Some manufacturers recommend replacement every 5 years regardless of use.