Prevent natural and technological risks that could affect your business

Verified 19 December 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Of natural hazards (floods, earthquakes, etc.) or technological (industrial accident, leak of a pipe, etc.) can impact your company. We present you how know the risks that can impact your business, how the prevent (insurance, preventive work) and how inquire on weather forecasts to know when to improve your vigilance.

Step-by-step approach

The platform Georists allows you to know the different natural and technological risks can impact establishments of a company.

Filling in theskill of the institution, the platform shall indicate the existence and level of importance of the different risks:

Know the natural and technological risks around your company (Georisques)

The different natural hazards considered are:

  • Flooding
  • Field Movements
  • Volcanism
  • Earthquakes
  • Avalanches
  • Underground cavities (land subsidence, collapse, etc.)
  • Wildfires
  • Radon
  • Clay shrinkage-swelling
  • Cyclonic winds.

The different technological risks considered are:

  • Soil pollution (in particular linked to the presence of old industrial sites)
  • Networks and pipelines (natural gas, hydrocarbons, drinking water, wastewater, electrical cables, telecommunications, etc.)
  • Emissions
  • Classified Installations
  • Mining risk.

To learn more about these different risks, you can consult the thematic files of Georisques:

Consult the thematic dossiers on natural and technological risks

Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion

Pour en savoir plus

These files shall set out, for each risk:

  • Challenges
  • Territory exposure and data
  • Vulnerability Prevention
  • Regulation
  • Actors and resources to learn more.

It is recommended to subscribe to an insurance contract covering natural and technological risks, especially in high-risk areas.

FYI  

One fact sheet dedicated to professional insurance against natural or technological disasters step-by-step details how to benefit from it and be compensated in case of damage.

The Natural Hazards Prevention Plan (NRPP) provides for city planning measures to reduce the vulnerability of inhabitants and companies to natural hazards.

More than a third of French municipalities have a PPRN. The vast majority of approved NPRPs address the risk of flooding and flooding. The others deal with the risks of land movements, avalanches, earthquakes and forest fires.

A mapping of theANCEST: titleContent allows you to know if there is a Natural Hazard Prevention Plan (NPRP) in each of the municipalities of Metropolitan France and overseas departments and regions (Drom).

Mapping of municipalities covered by a Natural Hazards Prevention Plan (NRPP)

To access the PPRN of your municipality, you can contact your city council or the prefecture of your department:

Who shall I contact

Please note

The existence of a NNRP may also allow companies with fewer than 20 employees to access the Major Natural Hazards Prevention Fund (MNRF).

Mobilization of the FPRNM by companies with fewer than 20 employees

The Fund for the Prevention of Major Natural Risks (FPRNM), known as the "Barnier Fund", makes it possible to support measures for the prevention or protection of persons and property exposed to major natural risks. It can be mobilized by companies with less than 20 employees.

FYI  

Companies with 20 or more employees cannot benefit from the FPRNM.

The FPRNM contributes to the support of studies and prevention work made mandatory by a plan for the prevention of foreseeable natural risks (PPRN) approved or in a Flood Prevention Action Program (PAPI).

It can help with the following:

  • Vulnerability diagnostic studies under the control of a local authority or group of local authorities
  • Work identified by the study, in the programs of actions to prevent flooding and in the area of French territory most at risk seismic (Martinique and Guadeloupe), on property covered by an insurance contract including natural disaster risk.

Ceiling on the Fund's contribution

The contribution of the fund shall be capped to:

  • 40% eligible expenditure on goods used in the course of professional activities, up to 10% of value venal or estimated value of each asset
  • 50% of the amount of diagnostic studies on the vulnerability of assets
  • 80% of eligible expenditure on goods mixed use for studies and preventive work. The contribution from the Fund must remain below €36,000 by property and be less than 50% the market value of the property.

The market value or estimated value of the asset is recognized at the date of completion of the vulnerability diagnostic study or at the date of approval of the plan.

Please note

These ceilings shall apply after deduction of any compensation received for the same work under an insurance contract.

Types of work involved

The types of work eligible for the MNRF differ depending on whether the risk is flood or seismic:

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Flood risk

The following types of work can benefit from the FPRNM, if they contribute to the safety of people or reduce damage or facilitate a return to normalcy:

  • Removable or permanent closure of opening panels of buildings and creation of equivalent opening panels on unexposed facades
  • Perennial waterproof treatment of waterways from cracks or networks
  • Acquisition and installation of equipment, fixed or mobile, for the disposal of waste water in buildings
  • Creation or development of a refuge area for persons
  • Acquisition and installation of manual opening devices
  • Reinforcement of building walls and foundations
  • Installation of a deflector (wing wall) to protect access to buildings
  • Acquisition and installation of flotation control, anchoring and flotation devices for light recreational dwellings and mobile recreational residences
  • Construction or raising of floor
  • Removal or flooding of electrical switchboards and transformers, climate engineering, heat generation, domestic hot water and ventilation equipment (including vents), and hydrocarbon tanks
  • Anchoring and sealing of hydrocarbon tanks
  • Replacement of flooring
  • Redistribution or modification of electrical circuits
  • Acquisition and removal from water of a device for interrupting gas and low electric current networks
  • Disconnection of cabins and operating mechanisms of lifts and stairlifts, and acquisition and installation of water detection devices to automatically stop the operation of such mechanisms
  • Acquisition and installation of non-return valves and/or similar equipment on wastewater and storm water connections, as well as lockable manhole covers
  • Acquisition and installation of devices to materialize the rights of way of swimming pools
  • Acquisition and installation, in the ground, of draining devices in the vicinity of buildings
  • Acquisition and installation of ventilation grilles for sanitary voids
  • Perennial movement out of the floodplain area, removal of perennial water or acquisition and installation of anchoring, flotation limitation or flotation prevention devices for equipment, materials, stocks and documents. The equipment concerned is compressors, generators, machines, tanks, tanks for polluting or dangerous products, silos., The acquisition and installation of devices to limit the risks in the event of total or partial immersion of this equipment, equipment, stocks and documents may also benefit from the fund.
  • Acquisition and installation of fencing around agricultural plots
  • Acquisition and installation of perimeter barriers, as well as other devices to materialize the rights of way of ponds and pits
  • Creation or development of a fallback zone for livestock.

Seismic hazard

The assets eligible for the fund are: mixed use or used in the context of professional activities located in municipalities located in seismicity zone 5 (strong seismicity). These communes are mainly located in Guadeloupe and Martinique.

Types of subsequent work may benefit from the FPRNM if they contribute to the safety of persons and reduce the damage caused by an earthquake:

  • Non-structural elements and equipment:
    • Securing facade elements
    • Securing external carpentry
    • Securing Coverage Elements
    • Securing of vertical and horizontal interior surface elements: partitions, lining, suspended ceilings, raised floors
    • Securing of added elements that do not have a bearing function (awnings, awnings, veranda)
    • Securing masonry elements: acrotères, balusters, railings
    • Attachment of heavy equipment
  • Floor and connecting elements:
    • Reinforcement of floors and anchoring of floors
    • Adding tie rods to strengthen the connections between walls and floor
    • Reinforcement of anchorages of connections between walls and floors
  • Structures made of wood or mixed wood:
    • Structural bracing work
    • Strengthening Connections Between Walls and Foundations
    • Relief of coverage by replacement of heavy elements
  • Concrete reinforced structures:
    • Structural brace work (steel or reinforced concrete brace)
    • Reinforcement by chain and tie rod (chain or tie rod made of steel or reinforced concrete)
  • Stone or chain masonry walls:
    • Adding horizontal and vertical chains
    • Strengthening horizontal and vertical chains
  • Roof:
    • Addition of loose roof diaphragm
    • Stabilization of gears
    • Reinforcement of the brace of the traditional framework and of the connection between the framework and the wall
    • Reinforcement of the bracing of the industrial framework and of the connection between the framework and the wall
  • Foundations: Work to take over the foundations under construction.

In areas where natural and technological risks are high, it is essential to prepare for them.

As regards natural risks, the concept ofclimate change adaptation brings together all the assessments, diagnostics and actions implemented to prepare for climate change and the multiplication of related natural disasters (floods, droughts, forest fires, etc.).

The Ecological Transition Agency (ADEME) has created a guide as of january 2024, compiling 30 testimonies from companies that have implemented climate change adaptation actions. It is intended to inspire other companies to engage in this process.

In company, how can we embark on a path of adaptation to climate change?

Ecological Transition Agency (Ademe)

Pour en savoir plus

Weather vigilance bulletins

It is important to regularly monitor weather forecasts in order to anticipate as far as possible the occurrence of natural events that could affect the activity, employees or property of its company and to protect itself from them.

Weather France is the public reference establishment for weather forecasts. Sound watch report indicates 4 levels of alertness

  • Green: No particular vigilance
  • Yellow: Pay attention
  • Orange: Be very careful
  • Red: Absolute vigilance

The vigilance bulletin is available in all French territories:

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Metropolitan France

The vigilance bulletin of metropolitan France includes the following risks:

  • Wind
  • Rain-flooding
  • Storms
  • Floods
  • Avalanche
  • Flood Waves
  • Ice snow
  • Very cold
  • Heatwaves

Consult the weather vigilance bulletin of metropolitan France (Météo France)

Guadeloupe

The vigilance bulletin of Guadeloupe includes the following risks:

  • Flood Waves
  • High winds
  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms
  • Cyclones

Consult the weather vigilance bulletin of Guadeloupe (Météo France)

Guiana

Guyana's vigilance report includes the following risks:

  • Flood Waves
  • High winds
  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms

Consult the weather vigilance bulletin of Guyana (Météo France)

Reunion

The vigilance bulletin of La Réunion includes the following risks:

  • Flood Waves
  • Strong winds
  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms

Consult the weather vigilance bulletin of La Réunion (Météo France)

Martinique

The vigilance of Martinique includes the following risks:

  • Flood Waves
  • High winds
  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms
  • Cyclones

Consult the weather vigilance bulletin of Martinique (Météo France)

Mayotte

The vigilance bulletin of Mayotte includes the following risks:

  • Flood Waves
  • Strong winds
  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms

Consult the Mayotte weather vigilance report (Météo France)

Other French territories

New Caledonia

New Caledonia's vigilance report includes the following risks:

  • Strong swell
  • High winds
  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms

Consult the New Caledonia Weather Watch Bulletin (Météo France)

French Polynesia

The vigilance bulletin of French Polynesia includes the following risks:

  • Flood Waves
  • High winds
  • Heavy rains
  • Storms

Consult the weather vigilance bulletin of French Polynesia (Météo France)

Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy

The vigilance bulletin of Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy includes the following risks:

  • Flood Waves
  • High winds
  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms
  • Cyclones

Consult the Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy weather watch bulletin (Météo France)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

The vigilance bulletin of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon includes the following risks:

  • Dangerous sea on the coast
  • High winds
  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms
  • Snow
  • Ice

Consult the weather vigilance bulletin of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon (Météo France)

In case of orange or red vigilanceHowever, it is important to learn more about the possible consequences of the planned phenomenon and to respect the behavior prescribed by the authorities and Météo France.

Please note

In times of drought, companies may be subject to water restrictions. To learn more, see the dedicated page.

Floods

Vigicures is a public information service on the flood risk of major watercourses in France.

The interactive map allows a visualization of the risks of river flooding according to the following classification:

  • Green: no special vigilance required
  • Yellow: risk of floods causing overflows
  • Orange: risk of floods leading to major overflows
  • Red: risk of major flooding

Know the risk of floods in the main rivers in France (Vigicrues)

Please note

Information on the risk of flooding of watercourses in the overseas departments and regions (Drom) are available in the “Overseas” tab.

Fires

Weather conditions strongly influence the start and spread of fires. In order to prevent fires and to ensure that everyone adapts their behavior according to the foreseeable danger, forest weather indicates a forest fire hazard level based on weather forecasts and the dry condition of the vegetation.

This information is issued department-wide for the next day and the day after, with 4 levels of hazard representation :

  • Green: Low
  • Young: moderate
  • Orange: high
  • Red: very high.

The Forest Weather does not report on current or future fires.

Check the weather of the forests of Météo France (fire risk)

Please note

Forest weather is published during the hottest months of the year, starting in June.

Avalanches

The mountain weather de Météo France indicates the weather forecast, the avalanche hazard and the snow level the following mountains and mountain ranges:

  • Northern Alps
  • Southern Alps
  • Pyrenees
  • Corsica
  • Jura
  • Vosges
  • Central Massif

View weather mountains from Météo France

Please note

Mountain weather reports snow levels and avalanche hazards during the months when it snows most, starting in November.

FAQ