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Shopping centres

Fire safety for shopping centres

As high-traffic areas, shopping centres pose multiple risks: fire, panic, and the rapid spread of smoke. Every installation must combine reliability, responsiveness, and regulatory compliance without disrupting business operations.

DEF designs, installs, and maintains high-performance systems tailored to each site’s layout to ensure everyone’s safety.

centre commercial
  • Great number of visitors
  • Business continuity
  • Multi-zone security
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A strict regulatory framework for type M public access buildings

Shopping centres are classified as type M public access buildings and are subject to strict fire safety regulations, as defined in particular by the decree of 25 June 1980.

 

These requirements are supplemented by the Labour Code and several technical standards (APSAD, NF standards), which govern the design, installation, and operation of fire safety systems.

 

The system is designed to protect a large number of people, ensure the rapid evacuation of occupants, and limit the spread of fire in open and complex spaces.

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  • TEST12

    Comprehensive fire detection

    Installation of systems compliant with NF S 61-970 standards and APSAD R7 regulations, ensuring early detection in shopping arcades, stores, and common areas.

    NF S 61-970
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    Fire Safety System

    Fire safety system designed in accordance with NF S 61-931 through 61-940 standards, incorporating detection, alarm, and automatic building safety shutdown.

    NF S61-940
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    Smoke exhaust systems for hallways

    Smoke exhaust systems that comply with Technical Instruction 246 (IT 246), which are required in shopping centres, atriums, and passageways.

    IT 246
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    Alarm and evacuation of the public

    Alarm systems that meet public access building requirements, enabling rapid alert dissemination and the safe evacuation of occupants.

    Alarm and evacuation of the public
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    Organisation and staff training

    Requirements under the Labour Code: fire safety training, safety procedures, and regular evacuation drills.

    Labour Code
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    Inspections and regulatory maintenance

    Mandatory periodic inspections in accordance with APSAD standards (R7, R17) and approval by the safety committees.

    APSAD
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    Gas detection in hazardous areas

    Installation in compliance with regulatory requirements in parking garages, boiler rooms, and utility rooms.

    Gas detection in hazardous areas
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    Monitoring of photovoltaic systems

    Implementation of appropriate detection systems (e.g., linear detection), in accordance with insurers’ recommendations and technical standards.

    Monitoring of photovoltaic systems

The main fire hazards in shopping centres

An uncontrolled fire can result in: destruction of equipment, data loss, disruption of essential services, and enormous financial costs.

Electrical systems under strong charge

Lighting, signs, air conditioning: excessive electricity consumption is the leading cause of fires in shopping malls. (INRS, 2023)

High number of visitors

In the event of a fire, there is a high risk of panic and a disorderly evacuation.

Multiple tenants 

Heterogeneous systems complicate the management and maintenance of the overall fire safety system.

Warehouse storage and back rooms

Each area presents specific risks.
Flammable materials and cardboard increase the risk of rapid fire spread.

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SALLE DE PAUSE
SALLE BOUTIQUE
SALLE LOCALE TECHNIQUE
SALLE PARKING
SALLE RESTAURATION

Hallways and common areas

  • Hallways and common areas
  • Stores
  • Storage areas and utility rooms
  • Parking lots
  • Dining facilities

DEF at a glance

  • 60
  • Fires in shopping centres often start in a store or a utility room. (BARPI, 2023) 
  • 15000 m²
  • of average area to be protected for a regional centre. (CNCC, 2024) 
  • 3 minutes
  • is the maximum time allowed for the complete evacuation of a shopping centre, in accordance with safety standards. (DGSCGC, 2023) 
  • 2 regulatory inspections
  • are required annually for fire safety systems in type M public buildings. (Ministry of the Interior)

Solutions tailored for shopping centres

Shopping centres require a comprehensive approach to fire safety.
A wide variety of spaces, a constant flow of visitors, and a mix of activities: the system must be cohesive across the entire site while remaining practical for day-to-day use.

incendie boutique protection

Multi-zone fire detection

In a shopping centre, each store can have its own system.
The aim is to ensure détection consistent throughout, with information reported back centrally.

DEF systems detect the earliest signs of a fire and transmit the information to a single security control centre for coordinated management.

Safety measures and evacuation

The fire safety system automatically controls essential functions: alarm, smoke exhaust, isolation, and exit management désenfumage, compartimentage et .

The goal is simple: to enable a rapid evacuation and limit the spread of fire in open, high-traffic areas.

securite incendie centre commercial

Smoke exhaust systems for shopping malls

Shopping malls promote the circulation of smoke.
Mechanical smoke exhaust systems help maintain acceptable evacuation conditions and facilitate emergency response efforts.

extinction automatique centre

Targeted automatic fire suppression

Certain areas require enhanced security: restaurants, storage areas, and utility rooms.

Appropriate fire suppression systems make it possible to quickly contain a fire in its early stages without affecting the entire site.

detection gaz centre

Gas detection

DEF integrates gas detection solutions into sensitive areas such as parking garages and boiler rooms to prevent invisible hazards and ensure the safety of technical facilities.

supervision centre

Installation monitoring

In a shopping centre, the challenge isn’t just having equipment that meets standards, but being able to operate it easily on a day-to-day basis, even with non-specialised staff.

 

Avec Mon SSI Facile, DEF offers a digital tool for monitoring the state of the fire safety system in real time, straight from a smartphone or tablet.

 

The app logs events (fire alarms, malfunctions, system shutdowns, etc.) and guides users with clear, context-specific instructions, facilitating decision-making in emergency situations

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