Culture & Leisure

Fire safety, culture, and leisure

Museums, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, stadiums, and parks welcome large international crowds every day, often in complex environments.

There are many fire safety challenges: protecting visitors, safeguarding sensitive works of art or equipment, and ensuring business continuity.

DEF designs and implements solutions tailored to these constraints, drawing on the expertise of the Réseau DEF.

Protecting visitors
Preserving works of art
Business continuity

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A regulatory and legal framework specific to cultural venues

Fire safety in cultural and recreational facilities is primarily governed by French standards and the public access building regulations, which are designed to protect the public, safeguard property, and facilitate emergency response efforts.

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Safety regulations for public access buildings

Decree of 25 June 1980

This decree sets forth the rules applicable to the public access buildings:
performance venues (type L), museums and exhibitions (type T), or outdoor facilities (type PA).

In particular, it covers detection and alarm systems, smoke exhaust systems, and evacuation procedures.
Decree of 25 June 1980
Labour Code

The Labour Code requires employers to ensure the safety of workers and the public:
staff training, safety procedures, evacuation drills, and facility maintenance.

It complements the public access building requirements related to operations.
Labour Code
Fire Safety Systems

NF S 61-931 through 61-940 Standards

The fire safety system comprises all the equipment used to detect a fire, alert occupants, and secure the building.

It is sized based on the site’s capacity and layout.
NF S 61-931 to 61-940 standards
APSAD Standards and Insurers

APSAD Rules R7, R13, R17

These standards define best practices for fire detection, suppression, and smoke extraction.

Insurers often require them to ensure that installations comply with regulations and perform as intended.
APSAD

The main fire risks in cultural and recreational facilities

An uncontrolled fire can result in: loss of life, destruction of property, data loss, disruption of essential services, and significant financial costs.

Overloaded power grids

Lighting, control rooms, and stage equipment: electrical overloads are the leading cause of fires in performance venues. (INRS, 2023)

Large crowds

A swift and coordinated evacuation is essential to prevent panic.

Failure to comply with the fire-resistant classification for materials

Curtains, decorations, and wiring increase the risk of rapid fire spread.

Invaluable historical heritage

The inestimable value of history and heritage must be highlighted.

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Performance halls and cinemas

Fire risk in a few figures.

60 %
Fires at cultural sites are caused by electrical issues. (INRS, 2023)

3 minutes
are enough to cause a fire to get out of control in an enclosed room. (DGSCGC, 2022)

2 visits
by the safety commission per year are required for type L public access buildings. (Ministry of the Interior)

90 %
of artworks can be preserved using inert gas fire suppression. (CNPP, 2022)

Solutions tailored to cultural and recreational venues

Each space has its own specific constraints: areas open to the public, preservation of the artworks, maintaining the aesthetic appeal, and ensuring uninterrupted operations. DEF designs systems capable of adapting to these demanding environments without damaging the sites or complicating their operation.

Our detectors are discreet

It is important to preserve the prestige of a venue by installing a discreet fire detection system.
The aim is to détecter It is important to preserve the prestige of a venue by installing a discreet fire detection system. The challenge is to detect a fire as early as possible, without affecting the building’s appearance or its operational conditions. DEF implements tailored fire detection solutions: adaptées :

Suction-based detection: the analysis is performed in a separate unit; the detection point is hidden from view.
Architect range: a line of sleek, stylish detectors that blend seamlessly into any setting.
Recessed linear detection: monitoring large areas.

Assess the risks

local archive extinction gaz brouillard eau

Supress fire and protect your belongings

DEF deploys protection and automatic fire suppression solutions tailored to each environment:

Brouillard d’eau Water mist: Prevents the spread of fire in open or enclosed areas (stage, server room, generator room). Automatic gas fire suppression: Extinguish a fire in its early stages in an enclosed space, such as a server room or equipment room.
Extinction Automatique à Gaz

The result: effective protection with no impact on property.

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A clear and orderly evacuation

As required by public access building regulations and applicable standards, an evacuation system must be clear, unambiguous, and understandable to everyone.

Safety public address systems fully meet this requirement by enabling the broadcast of audible and easily understandable evacuation announcements. They can also be used on a daily basis to play music or audio announcements.

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Facilitate the operation of systems

The performance of a fire safety system depends as much on the quality of its installation as on how easy it is to operate on a day-to-day basis.

With the Mon SSI Facile app, DEF helps teams use their system more easily, clearly, and effectively on the go:

real-time alarm monitoring
providing guidance to teams on the actions to be taken
tracking events and interventions

The result: teams that are more autonomous, better supported, and more responsive to emergency situations.

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Video

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Our services

DEF supports you at every stage of your fire safety

We offer services tailored to your needs, to support you effectively and guarantee quality results.

Branch network

Secure your cultural venues without compromise

Protect your audiences, your works, and your facilities with solutions tailored to your specific needs.

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Fire safety, culture, and leisure

A regulatory and legal framework specific to cultural venues

Safety regulations for public access buildings

Labour Code

Fire Safety Systems

APSAD Standards and Insurers