Fire safety compliance for ERP and IGH projects.
Check designs against the French fire safety rules for buildings open to the public (ERP), high-rise buildings (IGH) and housing — before the file goes to the commission de sécurité.
Codes and standards in France
- Règlement de sécurité ERP (Ministry of the Interior (arrêté of 25 June 1980, as amended)): Fire and panic safety rules for buildings open to the public, by type and category.
- IGH regulations (Code de la construction et de l’habitation): Specific fire safety rules for immeubles de grande hauteur (high-rise buildings).
- Residential fire safety (Arrêté of 31 January 1986, as amended): Fire protection of residential buildings, by building family.
- Eurocodes (EN 1991-1-2 and fire parts) (CEN / AFNOR): Structural fire design; APSAD rules are often required by insurers for sprinklers and detection.
How fire safety approval works
For ERP and IGH, fire safety is reviewed with the building permit and again before opening, with the commission de sécurité playing a central role.
- Classify the building: Determine the ERP type and category, IGH class or residential family — this sets the applicable rules.
- Permit and fire safety file: Submit the fire safety notice with the building permit or works authorisation for review.
- Construction and verification: Build to the approved design, with checks by a technical inspection body (contrôleur technique).
- Commission de sécurité visit: For ERP and IGH, a safety commission visit before opening; the mayor authorises opening.
What Verify AI checks
- Number and width of exits (unités de passage) for the occupancy — Règlement ERP — dégagements
- Travel distances and dead ends — Règlement ERP / Code du travail
- Compartmentation and fire-resistance of structure and walls — Règlement ERP / IGH / Eurocodes
- Smoke extraction (désenfumage) of circulations and large spaces — Règlement ERP — désenfumage
- Fire alarm system (SSI) and emergency lighting — Règlement ERP
- Sprinklers and fire water supply — Règlement ERP / APSAD R1
Frequently asked questions
What is an ERP?
An établissement recevant du public (ERP) is a building open to the public, such as a shop, school, hotel or office open to visitors. ERPs are classified by type and category, which decides the fire safety rules that apply.
Do the Eurocodes apply to fire safety in France?
The Eurocodes cover structural fire design, such as how long the structure resists fire. Occupancy-specific rules such as exits, alarms and smoke extraction come from the French regulations for ERP, IGH and housing.
Is the platform available in French?
The Verify AI interface and reports are currently in English. Checks reference the French regulations your project is subject to.
What files can I upload?
IFC (2x3 and IFC4), DXF and PDF drawings exported from Revit, ArchiCAD, Bentley, Tekla or AutoCAD.