Fire permit: a strategic document every leader should know

Sometimes we think that a quick welding operation, a fast pass with a grinder, or a spot brazing is risk-free. In reality, a single spark is enough to start a fire that can have dramatic consequences.

INRS estimates that approximately 30% of fires Fires in businesses often originate from work involving flames or incandescent projections. When a major incident occurs, the consequences are often irreversible. Indeed, a large proportion of affected businesses cease operations within months.

The good news? This risk is manageable. Provided that a clear and formalized framework is put in place, and this also involves drawing up a fire permit.

In this article, we explain in concrete terms what a fire permit is, why it directly concerns you as a manager, and how digital technology can transform this obligation into a real management tool.

What is a fire permit?

Definition

A fire permit is an official document that can be in paper or digital format. It authorizes and regulates the execution of work that generates a significant source of heat. The work primarily concerned is:

• Welding
• Oxy-fuel cutting
• Grinding
• The use of blowtorches
• All interventions producing flames, sparks or high temperatures

The purpose of the fire permit is simple: it serves to prevent the risks of fire or explosion by ensuring that all safety measures are taken before, during and after the work.

Why is this document strategic for a leader?

A fire permit is not simply an administrative form. It plays a key role in your responsibilities as a business owner. Indeed, it allows you to protect your business by:

• Identifying the hazards present in the intervention area
• Formalizing the prevention measures put in place
• Clarifying the responsibilities between your company and service providers
• Ensuring complete traceability of actions performed

In the event of an incident, the fire permit becomes a crucial piece of evidence to demonstrate that you have complied with your safety obligations.

The regulatory framework: does it affect you?

The fire permit is governed by several regulations depending on the nature of the establishment:

• The Decree of June 25, 1980 (article PS 28) is dedicated to Public Access Establishments (ERP).
• The Decree of November 26, 2012 (article 24) sets out the rules for Classified Installations for Environmental Protection (ICPE).
• The Labour Code (articles R4512-7 and following) defines the regulations for establishments receiving workers.
• The Decree of December 30, 2011 is intended for High Height Buildings (IGH).

In practical terms, if you bring in an external company for hot work in your premises, you are very likely required to obtain a fire permit.

Validity period: an often overlooked point

A fire permit is valid for one day only. Each day of work requires a new permit. If the work conditions change, a new fire permit must be issued.

Who is responsible for the fire permit?

Who writes it?

The contracting company, therefore you as the operator or manager, is responsible for obtaining the fire permit. The document is then completed in collaboration with the contractor.

Who needs to sign it?

To be valid, the fire permit must be signed by:

• The company commissioning the work (you)
• The company that carries out the work (your service providers)
• Potential subcontractors (the service providers of your service providers)

The signature legally binds each party to comply with the defined safety measures. It is therefore essential to have each party sign.

Lack of a fire permit: what are the real risks for your business?

Failing to obtain a fire permit when required exposes your business to three major types of risk.

Material damage

We all know that a fire can destroy your buildings, your inventory, your production equipment, and bring your business to a sudden halt. Beyond the losses incurred due to the shutdown, you must also consider repair costs and potential compensation for employees who were present during the incident. Financial losses often far exceed the cost of initial preventative measures, so obtaining fire permits is crucial.

The human risk

Without a formalized framework, employees and contractors are exposed to serious burns or fatal accidents. You may be held criminally liable if negligence is proven. It is important to remember that employers have a responsibility to protect their employees. This protection includes a safe working environment.

Legal sanctions

In the event of a breach of the safety obligations stipulated by the Labor Code, a manager may be subject to:

• Fines
• Criminal proceedings
• A claim for inexcusable negligence in the event of an accident

Beyond the legal aspect, we also wish to emphasize that the reputational impact on your company can be considerable.

What should a compliant fire permit contain?

A compliant fire permit must include several elements, namely:

1. Precise identification of the construction site

• Exact location where the work will be carried out
• Date and time of the intervention
• Nature of the work
• Equipment used (here we will find the equipment that will produce the risk)

2. The stakeholders

• Operator names
• Person in charge of the intervention
• Companies involved

3. Risk analysis and prevention measures

4. Removing doubt

A post-intervention inspection is essential to ensure that no fire risk remains. This step must be formalized in the fire permit.

Why does paper show its limitations?

Many companies still use paper forms. However, this system has significant flaws, whether for fire permits or any other regulatory documents.

Indeed, documents can be lost or illegible, and errors in completion are frequent. Archiving is complex because often the document's whereabouts are unknown. Paper also makes "proof" difficult, because if the fire permit is missing or illegible, it is very complicated to prove that the necessary actions were taken. In the event of a fire, the paper will burn with the flames, which will almost certainly make it impossible to justify the actions taken to the relevant authorities.

Finally, the paper does not give any alerts, so it does not warn if an action needs to be taken or if an element is missing.

The digital fire permit: a simple and secure solution

Is this legal?

Yes. Article 1366 of the French Civil Code recognizes the same legal value for an electronic document as for a paper document, provided that its integrity, the identification of the signatories, and its traceability are guaranteed. A compliant digital solution such as the one offered by Deemply This allows you to fully secure your approach.

Why digitize your fire permit with Deemply?

Digitizing your fire permit shouldn't be seen as a simple administrative upgrade. It's a powerful management tool for you. With Deemply, you benefit from:

• Complete traceability of actions
• Accessible via mobile devices (computer, tablet, smartphone)
• Ready-made templates & 100% customizable templates
• Centralizing all your regulatory documents
• Simplified sharing with your service providers for a more harmonious relationship

The result: less risk, less tension with external stakeholders, and complete control over your regulatory obligations. The fire permit then becomes not a constraint, but a tool for risk management and securing your operations.

In conclusion, the fire permit directly impacts your responsibility as a business leader. Ignoring this obligation can jeopardize your company, your teams, and your professional assets. Conversely, structuring and digitizing its management allows you to transform a regulatory requirement into a strategic advantage.

To discover how Deemply can secure and simplify the management of your fire permits, you can request a personalized demonstration and to concretely assess the benefits for your organization.