Section 2: Clearances

Establishments have clearances such as doors, corridors, passageways, staircases and ramps, distributed in such a way as to allow rapid evacuation of all occupants in conditions of maximum safety. These exits must always be unobstructed. No object, merchandise or equipment may obstruct the movement of people or reduce the width of the clearances below the minimums set in article R. 4227-5. These clearances must be arranged in such a way…

The premises to which workers normally have access are served by clearances, the number and width of which are as follows: WORKFORCE NUMBERof exits WIDTHtotal cumulated Less than 20 people 1 0,80 m 20 to 100 people 1 1,50 m 101 to 300 people 2 2 m 301 to 500 people 2 2,5 m Over the first five hundred people:– the minimum number of clearances must be increased by one…

Doors must comply with the following requirements: 1° Doors likely to be used to evacuate more than fifty people must open in the direction of exit; 2° Doors forming part of the regulatory clearances must open by simple operation; 3° Any locked door must be operable from the inside under the same conditions as in 2° and without a key.

Sliding, revolving or upward-opening doors do not qualify as emergency doors. They are not considered as regulatory clearances. However, power-operated sliding doors which, in the event of failure of the control device or the power supply, free up the entire width of the opening by moving sideways or outwards by simply pushing, can be considered as statutory emergency exits.

The existence of lifts, goods lifts, moving walkways or conveyor belts cannot justify a reduction in the number and width of clearances.

The staircases extend to the evacuation level to the outside. The walls and steps do not contain cladding materials classified, according to their reaction to fire, in a category lower than that specified by joint order of the ministers responsible for labour and agriculture.

Staircases are fitted with a handrail or handrail. Staircases at least 1.5 metres wide must have handrails on both sides.

The staircases serving the upper floors are separate from the staircases serving the basements.

The minimum widths laid down in Article R. 4227-5 are increased by half for staircases serving basements.

Signage indicates the way to the nearest exit and the way to the nearest safe waiting area or equivalent area. Other signs identify these areas. Clearances that are not normally used as passageways during working hours are marked with the words “emergency exit”.