Fire protection in retail outlets is challenging due to the diverse areas to be protected and high footfall. The fire risks are just as varied, for example due to technical defects, overheated electrical appliances or careless behavior.
Focus on personal protection
Retail and meeting places - whether shopping centers or individual stores - have a high and changing pedestrian frequency. The protection of people is paramount here. For this reason, smoke extraction systems and marked escape and rescue routes are crucial in order to ensure quick orientation and evacuation for people from outside in the event of a fire.
However, sales areas are often designed in a confusing way in order to increase the time spent in the store. At the same time, goods are often stored in aisles, blocking escape and rescue routes. Regular inspection of fire protection equipment is therefore very important.
What regulations are there for fire protection in retail outlets?
The Model Building Regulations (MBO) and the State Building Regulations (LBO) as well as the BetrSichV and the Technical Rules for Workplaces (ASR A2.2 and ASR A2.3) apply to fire protection in retail outlets.
In addition, sales outlets with more than 2,000 m² of retail space are considered special buildings in accordance with Section 51 (1) of the Model Building Code (MBO). In addition, the Sales Premises Ordinance (VkVO) applies to sales premises as special buildings.
Note: A breach of the fire protection requirements of the Retail Premises Ordinance is subject to a fine.
Frequently asked questions
Fire protection in retail outlets is varied and challenging. CWS provides you with answers to the most important questions for more safety in your sales outlet.
Why is fire protection so important for retail outlets?
Retail premises have a high number of people (often from outside the premises), which makes it difficult to evacuate quickly. At the same time, there are many fire hazards due to defects in electrical systems, a high fire load and arson.
A comprehensive fire protection concept, based on all three pillars of preventive fire protection, is therefore necessary in order to detect and fight fires at an early stage. If a fire does occur, the focus is on the rapid and safe evacuation of people who are often not in the building. This requires clear and well-marked escape and rescue routes.
What fire protection equipment is required for retail outlets?
The individual fire protection systems for sales outlets depend on the total area or floor space and the areas to be protected. Smoke extraction systems are often required to extract smoke from escape and rescue routes and to support firefighting.
At the same time, retail premises must have safety lighting, fire alarm systems and fire extinguishing equipment (such as sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers or wall hydrants) in all rooms and corridors. These also require an emergency power supply to ensure the operation of the above safety-relevant fire protection equipment.
When is a sales outlet considered a special building?
A sales outlet is considered a special building according to MBO if the floor area exceeds 2,000 m².
What needs to be considered in fire protection for sales outlets as special buildings?
A sales outlet as a special building must submit a fire protection concept or fire protection certificate to the relevant authorities and insurance companies. This must show which preventive fire protection equipment is necessary to meet the protection objective of the building.
What fire protection rules apply to smaller sales outlets with less than 2,000 m²?
A sales outlet with an area of between 800 m² and 2,000 m² is considered an unregulated special building. Although the Model Building Code (MBO) already considers sales premises with more than 800 m² to be special buildings, the Sales Premises Ordinance only applies from an area of 2,000 m². Nevertheless, the Retail Premises Ordinance (VkVO) forms the basis for fire protection in retail premises of any size.
Is a regular inspection of fire protection measures in sales outlets necessary in accordance with the Special Building Regulations?
Yes, the inspection must be carried out when the fire protection equipment is commissioned in a sales outlet, after structural changes and at least every 3 years.
For example, regular testing of smoke and heat extraction systems, fire extinguishers, extinguishing systems, safety lighting and fire alarm systems is required. The inspection by an expert must be documented and test reports must be kept for at least 5 years.
CWS Fire Safety is happy to carry out regular inspections of your fire protection equipment. The documentation of the inspection is digital and is available to you at any time. Contact us now.
What are the regulations for escape and rescue routes in retail outlets?
According to Section 10 of the Retail Premises Ordinance, at least two independent escape routes are required for each sales area or shopping street.
The maximum distance to the escape and rescue route must not exceed 25 meters for sales areas and 35 meters for other areas. The width of escape and rescue routes in sales areas depends on the size of the sales areas. The CWS experts will advise you in detail and without obligation.
More security from a single source
Fire protection in retail outlets requires a wide range of fire protection measures to counter the various fire hazards in different areas of the building. Fire protection depends on the store area, the number of people to be protected and the goods on display. The CWS experts will advise you on optimal technical, structural and organizational fire protection in all types of retail outlets.
At CWS, you receive advice, planning, installation, acceptance and maintenance from a single source. We also provide external fire safety officers and carry out fire safety training courses throughout Germany. Contact us now.
