FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL MEASURES

Prevention of fires

For the application of the provisions of this chapter, inflammable
materials are classified into three groups:
(a) The first group includes substances emitting flammable vapors,
substances liable to burn without oxygen, substances in a highly divided
physical state and liable to form an explosive mixture with air,
(b) The second group includes other substances liable to ignite almost
instantly on contact with a flame or spark and to spread fire rapidly,
(c) the third group includes combustible substances which are less
flammable than the preceding ones.
Establishments with fire hazards must be located in particular areas
separated from other establishments for the safety of the latter and to
facilitate fire fighting and containment of the fire.
Within establishments, workplaces presenting fire hazards shall, as far
as possible, be inside establishments, workplaces that present fire
hazards must be isolated from other workplaces as much as possible.
In addition to the provisions on building standards, the following
requirements must be applied:
a) establishments with fire hazards shall be built of explosive or fire-
resistant materials; the same shall apply to coverings, paints, etc.
b) staircases shall be constructed of non-combustible materials or,
failing that, of hardwood plastered to a suitable thickness or protected
by a covering of equivalent effectiveness;
(c) doors and exits which may be used for the evacuation of persons in
case of danger shall open in the direction of the exit.

In addition to the provisions of Chapter V of Title III relating to
hazardous materials, the following measures shall be
applied:
(a) premises where flammable substances referred to in the paragraph
above may be lit only by electric lamps with a double envelope;
(b) such premises shall not contain any fireplace, flame, or appliance
capable of producing sparks or having parts that may be brought to
incandescent.
(c) smoking shall be prohibited in such rooms and a notice in
conspicuous characters or a symbol reminding the public of this
the prohibition shall be posted.
In premises where flammable substances are referred to in paragraphs (a)
and (b) are stored or handled, no normal workstation shall be more
than ten meters from an exit. The passageway between the
workstation and the exit shall be kept clear.
If the windows of these rooms are equipped with grilles or screens,
these grilles or screens must be easily opened from the inside.
It is forbidden to deposit or allow to remain flammable materials
referred to in paragraphs a) and b) above in the staircases, passages and
corridors, under the staircases, as well as near the vicinity of exits from
premises and buildings.
Containers containing flammable liquids are referred to in paragraphs (a)
and (b) above shall be leak-proof.
Rags, cotton, and paper, impregnated with flammable liquids or greasy
substances must, after use, be enclosed in closed and leak-proof metal
containers.

During the hours of the presence of the personnel, the filling of the lighting
apparatuses with or gaseous fuel, either in the rooms of work or in the
passages or staircases being used for circulation must be done only
with the light of the day and with the condition that no hearth is lit
there.
Pipes carrying combustible liquids or gases to lighting and heating
equipment must be entirely metallic.
The flames of the portable lighting devices must be distant from any
combustible part of the building, furniture, or goods in storage by at
At least thirty centimeters horizontally.
However, as far as walls and ceilings are concerned, lesser distances
may be tolerated with the interposition of a non-combustible screen.
In addition to the prescriptions contained in the present decree, the
heads of establishments must comply with all the prescriptions enacted
by the regulations in force.

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