Fire safety in apartment buildings and collective housing: what do you need to know?

Fire safety in multi-unit residential buildings is governed by strict regulations designed to protect occupants, prevent fires from starting, and ensure rapid evacuation in the event of a fire.

🧱 1. Applicable regulations

• Decree of January 31, 1986, relating to fire protection in multi-unit residential buildings.
• Building and Housing Code.
• Strengthened requirements for buildings over 50 meters (high-rise buildings).

🧯 2. Obligations for owners or property managers

• Smoke detector (DAAF): Mandatory in every home since 2015.
• Inspection of electrical installations: Particularly in common areas.
• Regular maintenance of safety equipment: Fire doors, emergency lighting, alarms, fire extinguishers in parking lots or boiler rooms.
• Inspection of ventilation and smoke ducts.

🚪 3. Building design and layout

• Compartmentalization to limit the spread of fire (fire doors, hatches, etc.).
• Enclosed (closed) staircases with secure access.
• Do not obstruct common areas (corridors, halls, staircases).

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 4. Responsibilities of residents

• Do not block emergency exits.
• Do not use elevators in case of fire.
• Follow the posted safety instructions.
• Avoid risky behavior: unattended candles, overloaded power strips, cigarettes that have not been properly extinguished, etc.

🧑‍🚒 5. Prevention and awareness

• Inform residents about what to do in the event of an alarm or smoke.
• Organize poster campaigns or information meetings through the building managers.
• Check that evacuation plans are visible in halls and corridors.

✅ Key takeaway:

👉 Tip: Good coordination between owners, managers, and residents is essential to ensure optimal safety in multi-unit dwellings. Prevention starts with everyday vigilance.