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Checklist

Safety Commission Checklist

The safety commission visit determines the opening and continued operation of your French ERP (public-access establishment). This checklist covers the 10 points checked, preparation timeline, visit walkthrough and types of opinions. All regulatory references cited.

What is a safety commission?

The safety commission against fire and panic risks is a French departmental or municipal advisory commission created by decree no. 95-260 of 8 March 1995. It visits Public-Access Establishments (ERP) to verify compliance with the fire safety rules defined by the order of 25 June 1980 and the French Construction Code. Its visit is mandatory before opening a new ERP, after building modifications, and periodically depending on the establishment's category (1, 2, 3 or 5 years). Its visit results in an opinion that may be favorable, favorable with prescriptions, or unfavorable — in which case the establishment may be closed.

10 points to verify before the commission

1
ISO 7010 and NF X08-070 compliant evacuation plans

The evacuation plan is the most visible element and the first checked. It must be present at every level, near each exit, and properly oriented.

  • ISO 7010 compliance (pictograms) and ISO 23601 / NF X08-070 (presentation)
  • "You are here" indicator clearly shown on each plan
  • Scale, legend and emergency numbers (18, 112) included
  • Plan up to date: redo if premises were reorganized since last plan
  • Minimum A3 format in ERP categories 1-4, A4 acceptable in category 5

2
Up-to-date safety register

Mandatory document (article R. 143-44 of the Construction Code) recording all fire-safety related events.

  • Annual technical inspections: extinguishers, alarm, smoke control, emergency lighting, hose reels
  • Evacuation drill reports (semi-annual minimum)
  • Hot work permits for all welding/grinding/etc. tasks
  • Previous commission visits and lift of prescriptions
  • Available immediately, paper or digital with guaranteed access

3
Organized and recorded evacuation drills

The French Labor Code (article R. 4227-39) requires at minimum 1 drill every 6 months. ERPs may have stricter frequency by type.

  • At minimum 2 drills per year, roughly 6 months apart
  • Varied scenarios: fire start, smoke, blocked exit, alarm failure
  • Structured debrief with weak-point analysis
  • Date, duration, scenario, participants and observations recorded
  • Schools: quarterly drill mandatory (order of 13 January 2004)

4
Verified safety equipment

All firefighting equipment must have been verified within regulatory deadlines by an accredited body, with report.

  • Extinguishers: annual inspection (NF S 61-919), 1 per 200 m² minimum
  • Fire Safety System (SSI): semi-annual or annual inspection by category
  • Emergency lighting (BAES): weekly visual + annual technical check
  • Smoke control: annual inspection of vents and air intakes
  • Electrical installation: annual Q18 or triennial Q19 by risk
  • All reports and certificates filed and accessible in the register

5
Clear and signposted emergency exits

First point physically checked by inspectors: they open doors, verify distances and obstacles.

  • Minimum width: 0.90 m for 1 passage unit, 1.40 m for 2
  • No storage, furniture or decoration blocking the path
  • Functional fire doors with self-closer (alarm-triggered if present)
  • Illuminated "EXIT" signage visible and powered
  • Maximum distance between 2 exits: 50 m (40 m for dead-end, art. CO 38)

6
Posted and legible safety instructions

General and specific instructions must be posted near evacuation plans at every level.

  • General evacuation instruction (who does what when alarm sounds)
  • Specific instructions: fire, gas, injury response
  • Emergency numbers in large print (18 fire, 15 SAMU, 112 European)
  • Intervention plan for firefighters stored at reception or lobby
  • Instructions translated if hosting foreign public (hotels, stations)

7
Up-to-date staff training

Every employee must have received fire safety training appropriate to their role; specific actors must be trained and qualified.

  • Initial fire training for every new employee (R. 4141-3-1 Labor Code)
  • Extinguisher handling training at least every 5 years
  • First-Intervention Team Members (EPI): 1 per 10-15 employees recommended
  • SSIAP 1, 2 or 3 for ERP categories 1, 2 or IGH
  • Training certificates kept in the safety register

8
Available technical documentation

All technical documents must be immediately accessible to the commission.

  • Safety notice (building description, occupants, response means)
  • Architectural plans of premises (initial visit)
  • Previous commission report with prescriptions lifted
  • Layout opinions, ERP work authorizations
  • Technical inspection reports (RVRAT, RVRMD)

9
Periodic inspections performed

Beyond equipment, certain installations and parts of the building have their own inspection cadence.

  • Elevators: annual + complete check every 5 years
  • Automatic doors: quarterly
  • Kitchens with professional hoods: quarterly duct cleaning
  • Gas installations: annual by accredited body
  • Lightning rods if present: annual + complete check every 5 years

10
Compliance with current ERP standards

Specific obligations depend on category (1-5) and type of ERP (M, N, O, P, R, U, J, etc.).

  • Category correctly declared per total occupancy (public + staff)
  • ERP type correctly declared: M (retail), N (restaurant), O (hotel), R (school), U (healthcare), etc.
  • Layout changes (partitions, mezzanines) authorized
  • Compliance with type-specific provisions (order of 25 June 1980)
  • If IGH (high-rise): reinforced IGH compliance

Preparation timeline: D-30 → D-day

A commission cannot be prepared the day before. Reference timeline for serene anticipation.

D-30: complete internal audit

Walk through the building with the checklist. Identify gaps. Prioritize corrections by risk (safety > documentation). Order missing technical inspections.

D-15: gap closure

All technical inspections complete and received. Evacuation plans updated and printed. Instructions posted. Register updated. Evacuation drill conducted if last one over 3 months ago.

D-7: team briefing

Gather staff, recall instructions, designate the person welcoming the commission. Prepare a physical dossier with all supporting documents. Verify SSIAP or safety lead presence on D-day.

D-1: final check

Quick walk-through: all emergency lights on? All exits clear? All pictograms in place? All extinguishers correctly positioned? Register near reception with all annexes.

D-day: typical walkthrough

Welcome of the commission (1-3 people: fire prevention officer, elected official, technician). Building presentation, physical walkthrough, document check, observations. Average duration 1-3 hours by category. Opinion delivered verbally at end of visit, written report sent within 2-4 weeks.

The 3 types of opinions and their consequences

Favorable opinion

The establishment may open or continue operating without modification. Next visit will follow the category periodicity (1 year for category 1, 2 years for category 2, etc.).

Favorable with prescriptions

The establishment may open, but must lift prescriptions within a stipulated timeframe (typically 2-6 months by severity). A control visit may be scheduled. Prescriptions must be recorded in the register.

Unfavorable opinion

The establishment cannot open or must close pending compliance. The mayor or prefect may issue a closure order. Common reasons: missing compliant evacuation plan, unverified safety equipment, blocked exits, missing training, serious register gaps.

Visit periodicity by category

  • Category 1 (over 1,500 people): annual visit
  • Category 2 (701 to 1,500): every 2 years
  • Category 3 (301 to 700): every 3 years
  • Category 4 (under 300, excl. 5th cat.): every 5 years
  • Category 5 (small ERP with sleeping accommodations or specific public): visit at opening then on demand
  • IGH (high-rise): every 2 years systematically
  • Establishments with accommodation (hotels, hospitals): reinforced periodicity

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