Fire Safety: Following the Crans-Montana Tragedy, Monaco Strengthens Fire Safety Regulations for Entertainment Venues

Following the fire that occurred on New Year's Day in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, the Prince's Government launched a review aimed at strengthening fire safety requirements for establishments open to the public.

Since the beginning of the year, the Technical Commission for Hygiene, Safety and Environmental Protection has stepped up its oversight of the Principality's nightlife venues by carrying out unannounced inspections during operating hours to assess fire safety standards and, where necessary, prescribe and explain the corrective measures required. These inspections focused in particular on the risks associated with the use of open flames, the compliance of materials and decorative elements, the suitability of fire detection and alarm systems, and the availability and accessibility of emergency exits.

Building on this initiative, amendments to the Fire Safety Regulations will be published in the Journal de Monaco on 31 July 2026, strengthening the rules applicable to dance halls, gaming establishments, restaurants and licensed premises.

The new provisions introduce a strict, general prohibition, regardless of the number of occupants, on the use or introduction of open flames in areas accessible to the public, including candles, tapers and sparklers. The prohibition also applies to any device that produces, or is liable to produce, a flame, combustion or ignition for decorative, entertainment or food-related purposes.

Derogations may nevertheless be granted on a case-by-case basis by the Department of Forward Studies, Urban Planning and Mobility, subject to the implementation of additional compensatory fire safety measures and following an opinion from the Technical Commission for Hygiene, Safety and Environmental Protection.

Finally, it should be recalled that the applicable fire safety requirements depend on the activities actually carried out by the establishment. Accordingly, restaurants and licensed premises that provide facilities for live musicians or disc jockeys, amplified music or dancing are subject to the specific requirements applicable to dance halls and gaming establishments. Operators of the establishments concerned are invited to contact the Technical Commission for Hygiene, Safety and Environmental Protection to obtain confirmation of their administrative classification and ensure that the fire safety measures in place are appropriate.