Economics Ministry to amend shelter building code after failed tenders in Daugavpils

Latvia's Ministry of Economics plans to prepare amendments to the shelter building code LBN 210-25, aiming to clarify its requirements and improve how they are applied in practice, the ministry said on 7 November. The issue has come to the fore after two shelter construction tenders in the city of Daugavpils ended without a result.

Shelter categories under the law

Latvia's Civil Protection and Disaster Management Law divides shelters into three categories. First-category shelters protect against blast shock waves and fragments, as well as chemical warfare agents, ionising radiation and radioactive dust. Second-category shelters protect against shock waves and fragments. Third-category shelters are created by adapting existing buildings or parts of them to reduce the impact of shock waves and fragments, and are subject to guidelines drawn up by the State Fire and Rescue Service.

The building code prepared by the ministry sets technical requirements for first- and second-category shelters. To help municipalities, state institutions and other contracting bodies prepare procurements, the ministry has also published a standard technical specification for the industrial production, delivery and placement of modular shelters. It helps buyers define requirements, prepare tender documents consistently and receive comparable bids.

While drafting the specification, the ministry identified certain issues in the building code that need improvement, which is why amendments are planned.

The situation in Daugavpils

In late October, Daugavpils mayor Andrejs Elksniņš ("Sarauj, Latgale!" party) told journalists that the city council was waiting for the new government's view on requirements for shelter projects. Daina Krīviņa, head of the council's Development Department, said two tenders had ended without a result and a third had been announced. The specifications were slightly refined, but substantive changes are not possible given national requirements.

Elksniņš said the contract with the Central Finance and Contracting Agency also contains specific requirements, and building codes do not allow major changes, so the council is forced to announce the tender as it stands.

The project involves adapting premises as third-category shelters, with electricity, lighting, ventilation and sanitary provisions, and access for people with limited mobility. Total costs are €458,129, of which €389,410 comes from the European Regional Development Fund and €68,719 is municipal co-financing. The project is due to be completed by the end of January 2028.