Plan D'Évacuation ERP Template for France

If you operate an establishment that receives the public in France, you are legally required to create and maintain a Plan d'Évacuation ERP. This critical safety document serves as a comprehensive guide for emergency evacuation procedures, ensuring the protection of all occupants during fire, natural disasters, or other emergency situations. The plan must comply with strict French regulations and include detailed building layouts, emergency exits, assembly points, and safety equipment locations.

When do you need this document?

You need a Plan d'Évacuation ERP if you operate any establishment that receives the public, regardless of size or capacity. This includes retail stores, restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals, cinemas, sports facilities, and office buildings open to visitors. The requirement applies from the moment your establishment opens to the public and must be updated whenever you make structural changes, modify emergency exits, or relocate safety equipment. Additionally, you need updated plans when regulations change or when your local fire safety commission requests revisions during periodic inspections.

Key legal considerations

Your evacuation plan must include six essential sections: establishment identification with name, address, and ERP category; detailed building layouts showing all levels and room configurations; clearly marked emergency exits and evacuation routes; designated exterior assembly points for occupant gathering; precise locations of all safety equipment including fire extinguishers, alarms, and manual call points; and comprehensive evacuation instructions with step-by-step emergency procedures. The plan must follow NF X 08-070 graphical standards and ISO 23601 international design requirements, ensuring universal symbol recognition and clear visual communication. Failure to maintain compliant evacuation plans can result in administrative fines, temporary closure orders, or criminal liability if negligence contributes to injury during an emergency.

Legal requirements in France

Under the Code de la construction et de l'habitation Article R123-8, every ERP must display evacuation plans prominently throughout the premises, with copies provided to local fire services and verification bodies. The arrêté du 25 juin 1980 mandates specific content requirements, including building dimensions, capacity calculations, and emergency lighting systems integration. Plans must be approved by authorized verification organizations and updated within 30 days of any structural modifications. The Code du travail Article R4227-37 adds workplace-specific requirements for employee training and evacuation drill documentation. Regular inspections by Services de secours et d'incendie ensure ongoing compliance, with inspection schedules varying by ERP category and occupancy risk level.