Safety rules of an institution receiving from the public (ERP)

Verified 21 November 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The construction and operation of a ERP: titleContent are subject to fire and panic safety requirements. The aim of these measures is to protect persons, to promote early warning and response and to limit material losses. We present you with the information you need to know.

Manufacturers and owners must comply with the LES security regulations and accessibility rules.

ERPs are designed to:

  • Prompt and orderly evacuation of all people or their shelter if necessary
  • Emergency response
  • Limitation of fire propagation by suitable materials and elements

For the purposes of applying the safety regulations, a ERP is classified both by type of business and by category according to its capacity.

The technical rules shall apply in particular to the following:

  • Development and isolation of the premises
  • Façade (1 or more) at the edge of the track or of free spaces allowing evacuation of the public and access by firefighters
  • Fire resistant building and interior fittings materials
  • Indoor distribution and subdivision to limit the spread of fire and smoke
  • Number and width of exits, possible safe waiting areas and internal clearances (proportional to capacity)
  • Smoke-Free
  • Alarm and warning devices, monitoring service and fire-fighting equipment appropriate to the hazards
  • Prohibition of the storage, distribution and use of explosives or toxic substances, of any particularly flammable liquids (except as specifically provided for in the safety regulations)
  • Electrical lighting required
  • Safety lighting required
  • Guaranteed safety and proper operation of lifts and hoists, electricity, gas, heating and ventilation installations

FYI  

When a person carries out a professional activity (doctor, accountant, physiotherapist, etc.) in his family residence, the premises are not considered as an LES. The fire safety regulations imposed on LES do not apply.

In other cases, the premises are subject to the LES regulations of 5e category.

The ERP shall be equipped with alarm and warning devices, a monitoring service and fire-fighting equipment appropriate to the hazards.

Safety and preventive measures shall be proportionate to the activity and the public that may be admitted to the ERP.

The ERP categories are divided into 2 groups by the safety regulations according to the number of people who can be admitted inside and their ability to evacuate the building during a fire.

The 1er group includes the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th category.

The 2nde group shall consist of 5th category.

The regulation includes general requirements common to all institutions and other requirements specific to each type of ERP.

Please note

Where the same building houses several activities, the preventive and safety measures for each activity shall apply to that part of the building which it occupies.

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Group 1 (Category 1, 2, 3 and 4 ERP)

Security Service

In the presence of the public, depending on the type and category of the ERP, a fire safety service is mandatory. It is composed in one of the following ways:

  • Persons designated by the operator, trained in fire-fighting and public evacuation
  • Qualified fire safety officers
  • Fire-fighters of a public fire-fighting and rescue service
  • Combination of these 3 different possibilities

The workforce is commensurate with the importance of the LES.

A security station shall be provided for security personnel where possible at the arrival point of external emergency services. It shall be connected to the fire brigade emergency center by a rapid and safe means of transmission.

When the service is provided by fire safety officers, 3 persons are present at the same time in the ERP, 1 of whom remains permanently in the security station.

Safety instructions

Precise instructions for LES personnel, constantly updated by the operator, are displayed on fixed and unalterable signs. They must indicate the following:

  • Fire brigade telephone number
  • Measures to be taken to ensure the safety of the public and staff
  • Arrangements for the evacuation of persons with disabilities or their deferred evacuation if necessary
  • Implementation of ERP relief measures
  • Reception and guidance of firefighters

Evacuation procedures and instructions shall be developed under the authority of the operator of theERP: titleContent.

Alarm

The safety regulations shall specify the type of alarm system to be settled according to the category and type of theERP: titleContent.

Manual triggers must be placed in the traffic (direct route to the stairs, exits...). They are located on each level, in the immediate vicinity of each staircase and on the ground floor near the exits.

The general audible alarm signal shall not be confused with any other audible signal. LES staff are trained to recognize this. Periodic evacuation exercises complete this training.

Making it easier for firefighters to act 

An unalterable schematic plan is displayed at each building entrance to facilitate the intervention of the fire brigade.

It must at least represent the basement, ground floor, each floor or the floor occupied by the ERP.

It shall indicate the following:

  • Clearances (door, exit, exit, horizontal circulation, circulation zone, staircase, corridor, ramp...)
  • Safe waiting areas
  • Main divisions
  • Technical premises and other special risk premises not accessible to the public (administrative, storage, staff accommodation, etc.)
  • Safety devices and controls
  • Devices for interrupting fluids and energy sources (water, gas, electricity, ventilation, air conditioning, etc.)
  • Fixed extinguishing and alarm means

ERPs located, even partially underground, must allow civil security services to ensure the continuity of their radio communications at any point of the ERP.

Group 2 (Category 5 ERP)

Fire extinguishing device

The ERP has at least 1 portable extinguisher for 300 m² and at least one per level. Where an extinguishing appliance or device is not visible, it shall be indicated by one panel.

A fixed and rigid piping, called dry column, is settled in the ERP with the highest low floor more than 18 meters from the fire engine accessible route.

LES staff

Personnel shall be trained on the action to be taken in the event of fire.

He is trained in the operation of the emergency means.

At least one staff member must be present at all times when the LES is open to the public.

This provision does not apply to LES receiving fewer than 20 persons. However, it does apply to sleeping quarters (e.g. hotel, boarding house).

Guidelines

Safety instructions adapted to different types of disability are clearly displayed.

They must contain the following information:

  • Call number of the fire brigade
  • Nearest Rescue Center Address
  • Immediate steps to be taken in the event of a disaster
Alarm

All ERPs have an alarm system.

The general audible alarm signal shall not be confused with any other audible signal.

LES staff are trained to recognize this. Periodic evacuation exercises complete this training.

The general alarm is given per building if the ERP has more than one.

The choice of alarm equipment is left to the operator.

The equipment must be kept in good working order.

FYI  

The Autonomous Smoke Alarm Detector (AFAD) is not required in business premises. However, it is mandatory if they have a mixed use of dwelling.

In addition, an insurer can require the Daf for certain professional activities (restaurant, liberal cabinet welcoming the public...).

Liaison with the fire brigade

The link with the fire brigade is made with a fixed telephone (DSL or fiber optic) in all ERPs. However, in the case of episodic or very temporary occupancy of the LES, this link is not required.

Making it easier for firefighters to act 

When an ERP is upstairs or underground, an unalterable schematic plane is displayed at the entrance.

This response plan must represent at least the basement, the ground floor, each floor or the floor occupied by the ERP.

The plan shall indicate the following:

  • Clearances (door, exit, exit, horizontal circulation, circulation zone, staircase, corridor, ramp...)
  • Main divisions
  • Technical premises and other special risk premises not accessible to the public (storage premises, staff accommodation, etc.)
  • Safety devices and controls
  • Devices for interrupting fluids and energy sources (water, gas, electricity, ventilation, air conditioning, etc.)
  • Fixed extinguishing and alarm means

ERPs located even partially underground must allow civil security services to ensure the continuity of their radio communications at any point of the ERP.

The operator of an LES shall maintain a safety record containing the information necessary for the safety service:

  • List of fire service personnel
  • General and specific instructions in the event of fire
  • Evacuation instructions taking into account the different types of disability
  • Dates of the various checks and inspections and the observations they gave rise to
  • Dates of development and conversion work, nature of the work, name(s) of contractor(s) and, if applicable, architect or technician responsible for supervising the work

The register may be in paper or dematerialized form. It is updated as soon as information changes. It is systematically presented to the Security Commission.

The operator is responsible for safety compliance in their ERP. It is subject to various controls.

Monitoring by the Security Committee

The Departmental Advisory Committee on Safety and Accessibility (CCDSA) is composed of the following members:

  • Representative of the Prefect (he chairs the CCDSA)
  • Police or gendarmerie representative
  • Officer of the Departmental Directorate of Territories (DDT)
  • Fire brigade with a prevention certificate
  • Mayor of the commune or the deputy appointed by him, or a municipal councilor

The CCDSA conducts monitoring visits at the construction, opening and during the operation of the LES. It identifies all breaches of regulations.

Operators are required to attend their LES visit or be represented by a qualified person. The mayor or his representative is also present.

The Board monitors LES in operation every 2, 3 or 5 years. The frequency of these visits varies depending on the type of activity and category of the establishment. It may be amended at the request of the Mayor or Prefect after the opinion of the Security Commission.

The purpose of these controls is to:

  • Verify compliance with safety rules and in particular the proper functioning of all fire-fighting appliances and of safety lighting
  • Verify the application of provisions allowing evacuation of persons with disabilities
  • Ensure that facility and equipment audits by organizations and certified persons have been completed
  • Suggesting improvements or changes to be made within the framework of the regulations
  • Explore potential accommodation measures

After the visit, the Security Committee shall give a favorable or unfavorable opinion.

The mayor notify to the operator the report of the visit with the opinion of the commission. It shall take all measures necessary for the safety of persons and property. In the event of danger, he may issue an ERP closure order setting out the nature of the improvements and the work to be carried out and the deadlines for completion.

Checks carried out by approved bodies

Manufacturers, installers and operators have ERP installations and equipment checked (electricity, lighting, alarm equipment, smoke control, lifts, extinguishers...).

These checks take place during construction and regularly during operation.

They are carried out by organizations accredited by the Ministry of the Interior or by competent technicians.

The minutes and reports of the verifications shall be made available to the members of the Security Commission.

They shall be communicated to the mayor, who may require additional tests and verifications, after consulting the competent safety commission.

Police and gendarmerie monitoring

The police and gendarmerie services can, during opening hours, check the regularity of the administrative situation of LES and record breaches of security rules

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