Condominiums are no joke!

Obligations and fire safety

Smoke detectors
In condominiums, the decree of February 5, 2013 sets out fire safety obligations. This decree makes it compulsory to install smoke detectors in private areas, i.e. in each dwelling, preferably in the area leading to the bedrooms. Contrary to popular belief, however, smoke detectors are not permitted in common areas. In fact, when residents hear the building's fire alarm sounding, they go out through their front door. If it's the smoke detector in the corridor that goes off, they'll be putting themselves in danger by going out into the corridor.

Fire extinguishers
Fire extinguishers must be installed in stairwells if the building is over 50 meters high. If the building is lower, you can always vote at the general meeting to install fire extinguishers. In parking lots, one extinguisher is required for every 15 vehicles, and in boiler rooms, it all depends on the fuel used.

Obligations and elevators

Article R 125-1-2 of the French Construction and Housing Code also imposes safety standards on condominiums with elevators. If your elevator dates from before 27/08/2000, you'll need to bring it up to standard. A schedule has been drawn up to stagger these upgrades. According to the text, safety in this case consists in ensuring :

- The closing of landing doors;
- Safe access to the cabin for people;
- Protection of users against impacts caused by closing doors;
- Prevention of the risk of the cabin falling and being crushed;
- Protection against cabin speed disturbances;
- Providing users with the means to alert and communicate with an emergency service;
- Protection of the installation's electrical circuits;
- Safe access for emergency personnel to machine rooms, associated equipment and areas through which the cabin passes;
- Impossibility for anyone other than emergency personnel to gain access to machine rooms, associated equipment and areas through which the cabin passes.

A parking space for everyone

In new-build property, if you're buying in a condominium, regulations often stipulate one parking space per apartment. However, these rules may vary according to the PLU (local urban planning plan). If the builder doesn't respect these rules and doesn't provide a parking space, you can alert the town hall.
As for bicycles, the ENE (national commitment to the environment) law of July 12, 2010 began to regulate bicycle parking in buildings. The principle: secure bicycle parking must have a minimum surface area of 0.75 m2 per 2-room dwelling, and 1.5 m2 for 3-room dwellings and above. This applies to main residential buildings for which the building permit was submitted after July 1, 2012.

Accessibility from outside
A parking space must be left free for firefighters in the event of an emergency. The amount of space reserved depends on the size of the building, to enable the use of a large ladder or the parking of a larger vehicle. Not to be overlooked if you want to save lives!

The right to a plug

New condominiums are required to equip 10% of their parking spaces with charging stations for electric vehicles. For older condominiums, you can ask for a charging point to be installed, at your own expense. Of course, approval by the general meeting is essential!

Stéphanie SWIKLINSKI