CALCULATE THE STAFFING OF YOUR BAR, RESTAURANT, OR ANY OTHER ERP (FRANCE)
Hotels, bars, and restaurants are subject to safety and fire prevention obligations. The regulations to be applied vary depending on the type of establishment and the capacity to accommodate guests. Here, we only discuss establishments classified as 5th category ERP (establishments open to the public). The applicable regulations concern requirements for exits commonly known as emergency exits, construction and decoration materials to be used, air circulation, and all aspects related to fire safety.
The fire safety regulations are presented in the Decree of June 22, 1990, approving the provisions supplementing the safety regulations against fire and panic risks in establishments open to the public. (Official Journal of August 26, 1990)
When creating an establishment, what matters most to the creator is quickly understanding the access and exit requirements to quickly determine if their project can be realized in the premises. To answer this question, one must know the desired activity and the number of people in the establishment. Then, based on this quota, deduce the necessary exits. This allows for assessing the feasibility of the project in the targeted premises.
In case of doubt and for confirmation, it is essential to consult with competent individuals to establish an ERP diagnosis.
How to Calculate the Maximum Capacity of Your Establishment?
To determine if an establishment falls under the 5th category, the following steps should be taken:
1- Identify its type (e.g., Type N = Restaurants and bars).
2 - Calculate the maximum capacity of the establishment based on the rule of calculating square meters per client, according to the type of establishment.
3 - Ensure that the maximum capacity of the establishment is less than that of the 5th category type of establishment. If the capacity exceeds what is allowed in the 5th category, the establishment moves to a higher category. This guide does not consider categories higher than the 5th category.
4 - Calculate the necessary exits based on the maximum capacity of the establishment.
5 - Compare the necessary exits with those existing or potentially adaptable in the premises.
Table of Maximum Capacity in Establishments Receiving the Public (ERP) and Calculation Rule by Type of Establishment
We have intentionally included in the table types of establishments that are not primarily intended to be drinking establishments, as more and more establishments are incorporating a bar without it being the main activity.
Example of occupancy calculation:
For the opening of a beverage outlet, the type is therefore type N. The premises include a ground floor room with a total area of 60 m² for seated consumption, of which 5 square meters are at the counter for standing consumption. The occupancy is therefore (55 m² of room X 1 person per m²) + (5 m² of counter x 2 people) = 65 people.
Clearances based on the size of the audience.
Depending on the maximum capacity of the establishment and the spaces, the clearances must be calculated using the following table.
* Article CO 41
Accessory and Additional Exits
§ 1. Accessory exits may be required after consultation with the safety commission if, exceptionally, the regular exits and stairs cannot be judiciously distributed.
§ 2. Accessory exits can consist of exits, stairs, walkways, bridges, underground passages, or easy and safe circulation paths with a minimum width of 0.60 meters, or even continuous balconies, terraces, ladders, evacuation chutes, etc.
When an accessory exit crosses a property belonging to a third party, the operator must justify contractual agreements in the form of an authentic deed. If the exit passes through a partition wall with a building or room occupied by a third party, the doorway must be fire-rated for half an hour and equipped with a door closer.
Accessory stairs are not subject to the provisions of articles CO 36, 38, 50 (§ 3, 1st paragraph), 55, and 56.
§ 3. Additional exits are subject to the general provisions related to exits, except for those in articles CO 36 and 38.
Example: Following the previous example, we calculated a maximum capacity of 65 people in the bar. According to the table, we fall into the range of 51 to 100 people. Therefore, the venue must offer either two exits of 90 cm or one exit of 140 cm and one exit of 60 cm, or one exit of 140 cm + accessory exit. In our example, the venue has a main door of 140 cm and a door connecting to the common areas of the building of 90 cm. The establishment thus complies with the initial fire safety rules.
This simple example does not take into account the multitude of characteristics and rules addressed in the regulations. Depending on the layout of the venue, the distances of the exits, the age of the building, the size of the levels, etc., multiple rules are imposed. To better inform oneself without delving into the complexity of regulatory texts, there are guides available to help understand and easily interpret these issues.
