Fire Safety Obligations by Establishment Type
Complete guide to fire safety obligations by establishment type. Public buildings, companies, industries, healthcare facilities: discover your specific obligations.
Public Access Buildings (ERP)
Public buildings are subject to the decree of June 25, 1980. Obligations vary by category (1st to 5th) and type (L, M, N, O, P, etc.):
- Evacuation plans: Mandatory on each floor
- Evacuation drills: At least twice a year
- Safety register: Must be kept up to date
- Safety commission: Periodic mandatory visits
- Fire safety system (SSI): According to category
- Emergency lighting: Mandatory
- Smoke extraction: According to type and category
Companies and Offices
Companies are subject to the Labor Code (articles R. 4227-1 to R. 4227-57):
- Evacuation plans: Mandatory if more than 50 people
- Safety instructions: Mandatory posting (art. R. 4227-28)
- Evacuation drills: Every 6 months if > 50 people, otherwise once/year
- Fire extinguishers: 1 per 200 m² minimum
- Staff training: Mandatory for all
- Single Document (DUER): Fire risk assessment
- Exits: Always clear and signposted
Industrial Establishments and Classified Installations
Classified installations for environmental protection have enhanced obligations:
- Hazard study: Mandatory according to regime
- Internal Operations Plan (POI): For Seveso sites
- Intervention plans: For emergency services
- Enhanced fire-fighting means: Hose reels, sprinklers, etc.
- Compartmentation: Limiting fire spread
- Automatic detection: According to activities
- Periodic inspections: By approved organizations
Healthcare Facilities
Hospitals, clinics and nursing homes have specific obligations:
- Adapted evacuation plans: Considering people with reduced mobility
- Regular drills: Specific staff training
- Enhanced compartmentation: Patient protection
- Category A fire safety system: Most demanding
- Enhanced emergency lighting: Extended autonomy
- Trained staff: Night and day teams
- Adapted equipment: Bedridden patient evacuation
Hotels and Accommodation
Accommodation establishments (type O) have particular obligations:
- Evacuation plans: In each room and corridors
- Multilingual instructions: For foreign guests
- Room detection: Mandatory
- Staff drills: Regular and documented
- Emergency lighting: In all circulation areas
- Corridor smoke extraction: Mandatory
Retail and Shopping Centers
Stores (type M) have obligations adapted to public access:
- Evacuation plans: Visible to public
- Proportional exits: According to occupancy
- Fire safety system: According to area
- Smoke extraction: Mandatory beyond certain areas
- Staff training: Public evacuation procedures
- Secure storage: Separation of storage areas
Educational Establishments
Schools, colleges and universities (type R) have specific obligations:
- Evacuation drills: 3 times per year minimum
- Evacuation plans: In each room and corridor
- Staff training: Child evacuation
- Adapted exits: Width according to student age
- Alarm system: Audible in all rooms
- Safety register: Checked by commission
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Create my documents⚡ FreeFrequently asked questions
What are the specific obligations for public buildings?
Public buildings must comply with the decree of June 25, 1980: evacuation plans on each floor, drills twice/year, safety register, safety commission visits, SSI according to category, emergency lighting and smoke extraction.
What differences between public building and company obligations?
Public buildings are subject to the decree of June 25, 1980 (stricter), while companies follow the Labor Code. Public buildings have mandatory safety commission visits, more frequent drills, and higher technical requirements.
What obligations for classified installations?
Classified installations have enhanced obligations: hazard study, POI for Seveso sites, intervention plans, enhanced fire-fighting means (hose reels, sprinklers), compartmentation, automatic detection, and periodic inspections by approved organizations.
Do healthcare facilities have particular obligations?
Yes, healthcare facilities have enhanced obligations: plans adapted to reduced mobility, enhanced compartmentation, category A SSI, emergency lighting with extended autonomy, 24/7 trained staff, and bedridden patient evacuation equipment.
How to know which obligations apply to my establishment?
Obligations depend on establishment type (public building, company, classified installation), category (for public buildings), occupancy, and activity. Consult regulations specific to your sector or get support from a control office.
Resources by establishment type
Explore our specific guides