Types of Protected Spaces in Israel

Israel is one of the only countries in the world with a multi-layered civilian shelter system built into every level of society — from individual apartments to public underground bunkers. Since the Civil Defense Law (1951) and the 1992 amendment to the Planning and Building Law, every new structure must include a protection solution. As of 2025, Israel has over 2.5 million protected spaces of various types.

Here is a breakdown of each type, their differences, and when each one is relevant.

Mamad — Apartment-Level Protected Space

A mamad (Hebrew: ממ”ד, Merhav Mugan Dirti) is a reinforced room built inside every new apartment. It is the most common and accessible form of protection.

Key Features

Reinforced concrete walls 20-30 cm thick per Israeli Standard 4910
Sealed steel door weighing 80-100 kg with rubber gaskets
Armored window with external steel shutter
NBC filtration connection point (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical)
Minimum area of 7 square meters

Advantages

Reachable within seconds — critical in areas with short warning times (15-90 seconds)
Full privacy for the household
Used daily as a regular room (bedroom, office, children’s room)

Legal Requirement

Under the Planning and Building Law (1992), every new apartment must include a mamad. Apartments built before 1992 are not required to have one, but a mamad can be added during renovation or as part of TAMA 38 urban renewal projects.

Mamak — Floor-Level Protected Space

A mamak (Hebrew: ממ”ק, Merhav Mugan Komati) is a shared protected room for all residents of one floor, common in buildings constructed in the 1980s and 1990s.

Parameter	Mamad	Mamak
Location	Inside the apartment	Shared area on the floor
Access time	Immediate	10-30 seconds
Privacy	Full	Shared
Area	7+ sqm	12-20 sqm
Capacity	One household	3-6 households

Residents must exit their apartment and reach the mamak in the floor corridor. Less convenient than a mamad but still close and fast.

Mamam — Institutional Protected Space

A mamam (Hebrew: ממ”מ, Merhav Mugan Mosadi) is found in public institutions — schools, hospitals, government buildings, and offices. It is designed to hold dozens to hundreds of people simultaneously.

Features

Large area of 50 square meters and above
Central air filtration system
Emergency lighting and communication systems
Built to Israeli Standard 4910, institutional specification

Public Shelter (Miklat)

A miklat (Hebrew: מקלט) is an underground public shelter designed for the general population. According to Home Front Command data, Israel has approximately 28,000 public shelters.

Advantages

Highest level of protection — underground structure with thick concrete walls
Suitable for direct or very close impact
Includes ventilation, water, and emergency lighting systems

Disadvantages

Requires 1-3 minutes to reach
Crowded — shared with dozens or hundreds of people
Maintenance depends on the local municipality

Migunit — Portable Blast Shelter

A migunit (Hebrew: מיגונית) is a portable steel or concrete shelter placed in public spaces — near bus stops, kindergartens, industrial zones, and areas without a nearby shelter.

Features

Protection against shrapnel — not against a direct hit
Capacity for 6-20 people
No air filtration system
Access time: a few seconds

Miguniyot are especially common in Gaza border communities and northern border areas, where warning times are extremely short (15 seconds or less).

Which Protected Space is Right for You?

Criterion	Mamad	Mamak	Miklat	Migunit
Access time	Seconds	10-30 sec	1-3 min	Seconds
Protection level	High	High	Very high	Basic
NBC protection	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Privacy	Full	Low	None	None
Availability	Apartments from 1992	Older buildings	Public	Open areas

Home Front Command Recommendation

Always enter the nearest protected space the moment you hear the siren. If your apartment has a mamad, it is always the first priority. If not, find a nearby public shelter using the Home Front Command app or our shelter map.

References and Standards

Israeli Standard 4910 — technical specification for protected spaces
Planning and Building Law, 1992 — mandatory mamad in new construction
Home Front Command (Pikud HaOref) — emergency behavior guidelines and shelter mapping

Types of Protected Spaces in Israel — Mamad, Miklat, Mamak & Migunit