Book II: Provisions applicable to workplaces

In order to take account of the increased risks in the event of a disaster, buildings where the lowest floor of the top level is more than eight metres above the outside ground must have a fire-stable structure with a fire rating of one hour and fire-stop floors of the same rating. They are isolated from any building or premises occupied by third parties by at least one-hour fire-stop walls…

The buildings mentioned in article R. 4216-24 are accessible on at least one side to the fire and rescue services.

The staircases and lifts in the buildings referred to in article R. 4216-24 are: 1° Either enclosed in one-hour fireproof shafts with half-hour fireproof doors and, in the case of staircases, a smoke extraction system in the upper section; 2° Or in the open air.

The internal layout of the buildings referred to in Article R. 4216-24 is such as to limit the spread of fire and smoke, in particular by cross-cutting or compartmentalisation. The interior fittings of the premises, in particular the wall, floor and ceiling coverings, drapes and curtains, comply with reaction to fire characteristics that prevent the rapid development of a fire likely to compromise evacuation.

The provisions of this section apply taking into account the classification of construction materials and elements according to their behaviour in fire, as defined in articles R. 121-1 et seq. of the Code de la construction et de l’habitation and by the orders of the Minister of the Interior issued pursuant to article R. 121-5 of this same code.

A joint order of the ministers responsible for labour, agriculture and construction defines the terms and conditions for applying the provisions of this section, in particular: 1° The characteristics of exits and the lateral isolation of the building from another building; 2° The classification of materials and construction elements for certain parts of the building; 3° Smoke extraction rules.