Section 2: Clearances

Each passageway has a minimum passage width proportionate to the total number of people using it. This width is calculated on the basis of a standard passage unit of 0.60 metres. However, when a clearance has only one or two passage units, the width is increased from 0.60 metres to 0.90 metres and from 1.20 metres to 1.40 metres respectively.

The corridors of buildings and premises are subject to the provisions of articles R. 4227-4 to R. 4227-14 with the exception of articles R. 4227-5 and R. 4227-12. However, for the application of the provisions of article R. 4227-10, the width of the stairs to be taken into account is at least equal to two passage units, within the meaning of article R. 4216-5.

No projection or deposit may reduce the regulation width of the clearances. However, fixed fixtures and fittings are permitted up to a maximum height of 1.10 metres, provided they do not project more than 0.10 metres.

The premises to which workers normally have access are served by clearances, the number and width of which are specified in the following table: WORKFORCE NUMBERof exits TOTAL NUMBERof passage units Less than 20 people 1 1 20 to 50 people 1 + 1 accessory 1 (a)or 1 (b) 2 51 to 100 people 2 2 or 1 + 1 clearanceaccessory (a) 2 101 to 200 people 2 3 201…

For premises located in basements where the number of people exceeds one hundred, clearances are determined on the basis of the number of people calculated as follows: 1° The number of people is rounded up to the nearest hundred; 2° The number of people is increased by 10% per metre or fraction of a metre beyond a depth of two metres.

Only premises whose technical nature justifies it may be located more than six metres below the average level of the evacuation thresholds.

The maximum distance to be covered to reach a staircase on an upper floor or in a basement is never more than forty metres. A staircase leading to the ground floor must be less than twenty metres from an exit to the outside. The escape routes do not include a dead end of more than ten metres.

The steps must comply with the following requirements: 1° They must not be slippery; 2° If there is no riser, successive steps must overlap by 5 centimetres; 3° It is forbidden to place one or two isolated steps in the main passageways; 4° The dimensions of staircase steps must comply with good practice; 5° There must be no more than 25 steps in each flight; 6° Landings are the same…