Queue Management in ERP: Obligations and Guidance Solutions

Queue management in public buildings: obligations and guidance solutions

Any public building or venue (PBV) - shops, public offices, museums, hospitals, entertainment venues - is subject to precise regulations concerning safety, accessibility and flow management. A queue guidance system helps organise reception, provided these rules are respected.

What is a public building or venue?

A PBV is any location open to the public, whether free or paid access. In France, these buildings (known as ERP) are classified into several categories (1 to 5) according to their capacity, and each category is subject to specific safety rules concerning in particular:

• Exits and evacuation routes
• Accessibility for people with reduced mobility
• Safety signage
• Flow organisation in case of high attendance

Obligations related to queues in public buildings

In public buildings, queue management must imperatively comply with certain constraints:

Accessibility for people with reduced mobility

A queue must not deprive wheelchair users or people with reduced mobility of the accessible route. In France, that route must keep 1.40 m clear in a new building and 1.20 m in an existing one (French arrêtés of 20 April 2017 and 8 December 2014); a narrower width is only allowed at isolated points. Other countries have their own rules. Also avoid tight angles in zigzag configurations. Find out more in our guide to choosing the right barrier rope.

Exits and evacuation

Guidance systems must never block escape routes or emergency exits. In France, no projection or storage may reduce the regulatory width of escape routes (article CO 37), and movable furniture has no place there, except in a widening forming a waiting area. So do not count on removing the posts at the moment of an evacuation: plan a layout that keeps these routes clear at all times.

Safety of people

Guidance equipment installed in a public building must not present any risk of injury: no sharp edges, stable bases, straps in good condition.

Why have public buildings massively adopted retractable strap posts?

In the majority of public buildings, retractable strap posts have become the reference solution for several reasons:

• Flexibility: configurations can be modified in a few minutes
• Easy clearing: posts are easily removed outside busy periods
• Robustness: professional models withstand intensive use
• Safety: heavy and stable bases, strap locking mechanisms
• Accessibility: the layout can be planned to keep the required passage width clear

What types of public buildings need guidance?

How to size your guidance system in a public building?

Sizing depends on daily flow and peak attendance. For a public building, it is recommended to:

• Estimate the number of simultaneous visitors expected at peak times
• Calculate the required queue length (approximately 1 m per waiting person)
• Plan spacing of 2 to 2.5 m between posts
• Add 20% margin for unexpected peaks

Conclusion

Queue management in public buildings is based on a balance between regulatory obligations, safety and visitor comfort. Potelet® solutions offer the flexibility and robustness needed in any public building or venue.