Fire safety in
sports and leisure facilities
Between fans, athletes and staff, sports and leisure facilities accommodate a lot of people in a small space. In the event of a fire, the priority is to keep everyone safe and avoid panic.
In the sports and leisure sector, there are two types of public buildings.
- Public buildings type X are closed and covered establishments whose main purpose is the practice of physical activity and sport. These include sports halls, ice rinks, rides, indoor swimming pools and multi-purpose sports halls.
- Public buildings type PA (outdoor) refer to sports grounds, stadiums, skating rinks, open swimming pools, arenas, racecourses, etc.
They are classified into five categories according to their capacity.
Mandatory safety precautions for athletes and spectators
Regulations
The main priority in indoor sports halls is to enable athletes and spectators to leave the premises safely in the event of a fire, while waiting for the emergency services to arrive.
The fire alarm
Establishments are subject to the general provisions of the June 25, 1980 decree and the specific provisions of the June 4, 1982 decree. These require the installation of a fire alarm system for ERP type X.
The choice of the type of fire alarm system (from 1 to 4, with 1 being the most comprehensive) depends on the infrastructure’s capacity. The audible signal must be loud enough to be heard throughout the entire establishment during the evacuation and must not be mistaken for any other sound.
Smoke extraction
Evacuation can take some time, with the public gathered in areas of limited circulation (such as stands), so smoke extraction and compartmentalization help limit the spread of flames, smoke, and toxic gases, ensuring the safety of everyone.
Smoke extraction is mandatory in:
- Multipurpose rooms with a dominant sports use,
- Sports rooms larger than 300 m²,
- Changing or clothing storage areas,
- Equipment rooms larger than 100 m² without access to a sports area.
Recommended Fire Safety Devices
In addition to the sound equipment required by law, covered sports facilities can equip themselves with additional devices to ensure the protection of athletes, staff, and spectators. Some solutions are even recommended by various sports federations.
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Manage Emergency Exit Locking
Entrance to sports and leisure facilities is generally conditional, such as holding a ticket. To avoid uncontrolled intrusion through emergency exits, it is possible to limit their use by locking them when not in use. A emergency exit management system allows you to handle both situations: locking the doors under normal conditions and opening them in case of fire.
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Automatically Extinguish Fires
In rooms housing important equipment for the proper functioning of the facilities (technical and IT rooms, clothing and sports equipment storage, etc.), it may be useful to install automatic gas extinguishing systems or water mist systems.
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Ensure the Security of People and Property
Sports and leisure facilities, being open to the public, are particularly exposed to malicious acts. To ensure the security of the premises, it is possible to implement systems such as access control (notably via entry tickets) and video surveillance for incident confirmation in case of fire alert and for monitoring potential intrusions.
A hypervision system consolidates both security and fire safety systems into a single interface for an overall view and quicker decision-making in case of danger.
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Maintain Your Fire Safety System
An efficient fire safety system is one that works at all times. To ensure proper functioning when needed, maintenance of the equipment is mandatory once or twice a year.
Do you want to limit the risk of intruders and malicious acts on your premises? Discover DEF Sûreté solutions
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Outdoor establishments
almost risk-free?
These open-air establishments of type PA, not being covered, present lower risks for the safety of people and the protection of property. As such, they are not subject to specific regulations.
Special rules based on municipalities
However, an establishment with a capacity of more than 300 people is subject to the rules set by the mayor of the municipality, following advice from the security commission.
Large Sports Venues Under High Surveillance
Large multi-use sports establishments (GEEM) are subject to the opinion of the Central Security Commission dated May 6, 2010. This specifies in a requirements document the applicable provisions and mandates the installation of a Category A fire safety system (SSI), which is the most complete and demanding system in terms of flame detection and aiding the evacuation of people.
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Automatically Detect a Fire in its Early Stages
Automatic fire detectors must be installed in the following areas:
- Rooms with particular risks (electrical panels, boiler rooms, etc.)
- Spectator boxes
- Public foyers
- Restaurants
- Areas with specific risks, as advised by the security commission
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Automatically Extinguish the Fire
To facilitate the safe and calm evacuation of the public, a security sound system allows the venue to inform people about what to do and where to find the emergency exits. This system can also be used for comfort sound systems to make announcements related to the venue’s activities.
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Limit the Spread of Smoke
A natural or mechanical smoke extraction system must be installed in areas serving the public, including restrooms, dining areas, shops, refreshment stands, lounges, and first aid stations.
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Unlock Emergency Exits
For venues with an internal forecourt, the unlocking of emergency exit doors located around the building must be operable from the security post and the event command center. This is backed up by the ability to open the exits locally.
This double requirement implies the installation of a Centralized Emergency Exit Management Unit (UGCIS).
Réseau DEF, at your side for your fire safety projects
For over 60 years, Réseau DEF has been supporting numerous sports and leisure buildings in their fire safety projects, both simple and complex. We assist from risk analysis to the implementation and maintenance of the systems.
With more than 60 companies in the network, each specializing in a field of fire safety, we work hand in hand to offer you complete solutions tailored to your industry and projects. Discover the experts in your country
