Compliance

• When embarking on a project that involves a professional space, the standards are more stringent and sometimes complex in their implementation.

So that the professionals can focus on their work, we provide invaluable assistance, right from the definition of needs (planning) stage, to ensure that compliance with standards is both indisputable in regulatory terms, and architecturally and financially acceptable.

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• While the regulations are clear in terms of their principles, some gaps in the rules allow us to make choices that are less likely to encumber the entire ergonomics of the site.

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• When it comes to public buildings, a number of security and accessibility requirements apply at the time of their construction, adaptation and operation. The applicable regulations vary according to the building’s « ERP » category (5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 – see definitions of these French categories on the website www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr)

Safety

Regarding safety, design principles for public buildings must focus on:

+ limiting the risk of fire (construction materials, electrical and gas installations, storage of flammable products, etc.)

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+ ensuring occupants are quickly alerted when an incident occurs (alarm systems)

+ providing swift and secure evacuation of occupants, while avoiding panic (emergency lighting, layout of clearings and emergency exits)

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+ alerting the emergency services, and facilitating their intervention (at least one façade on a road, or open spaces for evacuating the public, access to and implementation of emergency and fire safety systems)

Accessibility

+ When it comes to accessibility, the design principles for public buildings must allow people with disabilities, whether permanent or temporary, to:

MARION LE CAISNE 2015

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+ Enter the premises and move around independently (horizontal and vertical flows without obstacles, wide doors, signage, toilet facilities, etc.)

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+ The idea behind the law is not to hinder the free movement of people with disabilities.