The text, which had been awaited for years, was published on February 19, 2026. It establishes the general fire safety regulations applicable to public-access buildings (ERPs). Specific provisions—particularly for hotels and hospitals—are still being drafted. Although the document has been published, it is not yet in effect; it will come into force on June 1, 2027.

"It required a period of consultation between the Ministry of the Interior—which is sponsoring the order—and the Ministry of Housing. The time allowed for broader consultation was very short. The regulatory text was then submitted to the CSC2E (Higher Council for Construction and Energy Efficiency) and the Standards Evaluation Council. Both issued unfavorable opinions, though these remain advisory," notes Grégoire Pianet (FCBA Institute).

"We are currently in a phase of familiarization with the new rules. We need to use this time to clear up any uncertainties. While the broad outlines—or 'guiding principles'—shared by upcoming regulations are known, the way they are translated into actual texts could lead to inconsistent application," explains Grégoire Pianet. The debate is taking place on several levels, "particularly regarding the applicability of prescriptive rules versus the tools currently available—specifically, laboratory assessments. This is sparking considerable discussion among technical experts about how to comply with the new provisions."

According to a well-informed source, the text is not good news for timber construction and has even prompted a legal challenge before the Council of State. "It must be understood that excessive requirements regarding the protection of structural timber—or the fireproofing of timber exposed to the elements (which remains difficult to specify in terms of durability)—will in many cases effectively force projects to switch to non-combustible materials, creating an insoluble dilemma regarding environmental regulations," the source warned *BOISmag*. "We are therefore heading toward an unprecedented tightening of requirements, yet we must move forward and find solutions."

The ERP (Public-Access Building) order sets the guiding principle.

The Ministry of the Interior will co-sign the orders covering other types of structures. "The regulatory agenda will therefore be particularly busy over the next two years," notes Grégoire Pianet. The published text amends or adds approximately 25 articles concerning construction elements made from combustible materials. These changes center on several key themes: fire resistance, reaction to fire, fire spread via facades, and exposed versus protected structural timber. Regarding fire resistance, the required durations remain largely unchanged. However, while combustible structural elements may naturally withstand fire, most will now require protection. This is the focus of Article AM1-4. "Reaction to fire" refers to a material's tendency to contribute to the development of a fire, whether inside or outside a structure. Fire spread via facades is another major focus of the new text. A new theme is also introduced: the protection of structural timber. A new set of requirements mandates timber protection under specific conditions.

Good to know

The guide *Timber Construction and Fire Spread via Facades*—developed jointly by the CSTB and the FCBA—is a "collaborative, free tool available to everyone that helps meet certain regulatory objectives."

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