Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure on technical conditions for buildings in the context of restaurants and hotels

The Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure on the technical conditions to be met by buildings and their location is a key piece of legislation governing the design, construction and use of buildings in Poland. In the context of hotels and restaurants, these regulations specify detailed requirements for various building aspects, such as accessibility, safety, fire protection and sanitation. Below are the key points of this regulation pertaining to restaurants and hotels.

Read the regulation.

Definitions of public buildings and collective housing

According to the regulation, hotels and restaurants are classified as public buildings and collective residence buildings. Restaurants and catering establishments are classified as service buildings, while hotels and other accommodations, such as boarding houses and holiday homes, belong to collective housing. This distinction is important because it involves different requirements for landscaping, fire protection and accessibility for the disabled.

Accessibility requirements

The regulation regulates in detail the accessibility of buildings for people with limited mobility. It requires public buildings, including restaurants, to provide easy access to all parts of the building that can be used by people with disabilities. Among the most important guidelines are:

• Accessibility of entrances: Entrances to buildings should be barrier-free or have appropriate ramps with a slope that allows wheelchairs to enter comfortably.
• Elevator requirements: In high-rise buildings, including hotels, where more than three floors above ground are available, elevators adapted to the needs of the disabled must be provided.

Height of buildings and fire protection requirements

For buildings such as hotels, regulations distinguish between low-rise, mid-rise, high-rise and high-rise buildings, which directly affects requirements for evacuation, fire protection and alarm systems. Among the requirements are. the use of appropriate building materials that meet fire resistance requirements, as well as the installation of smoke detection and fire alarm systems. Hotels must be equipped with adequate staircases and escape routes to accommodate the number of guests.

Minimum area and height of rooms

The regulation specifies the minimum heights of rooms intended for human habitation. In the case of restaurants and hotels, the height of the rooms must not be less than 3 meters in new buildings, and 2.5 meters in converted buildings. This is a key aspect affecting occupant comfort and ventilation of the premises.

Sanitary and ventilation standards

Catering establishments, such as restaurants, must meet specific sanitation requirements. Adequate ventilation systems are required, as well as sewage systems that allow safe disposal of sewage and waste. Restaurants must have a mechanical ventilation system that provides a constant flow of fresh air in the kitchen, as well as appropriate air filtration systems.

Parking lots and parking spaces

The ordinance also sets out requirements for landscaping around public buildings. Restaurants and hotels must provide an adequate number of parking spaces, both for guests and for people with disabilities. For hotels, the number of parking spaces should be proportional to the number of rooms, while for restaurants it must take into account the maximum number of guests.

Noise protection

In the context of hotels and restaurants, noise protection regulations are also key. Buildings must be designed and constructed in such a way as to provide adequate sound insulation, both inside the building and in relation to the surroundings. In hotels, for example, special attention is paid to protecting against noise coming from corridors and from outside the building.

Energy efficiency of buildings

According to European Union directives, hotel buildings and restaurants must meet energy efficiency requirements. This includes the need for adequate thermal insulation, the use of energy-efficient heating systems and installations using renewable energy sources. The goal is to minimize energy consumption, which has a direct impact on operating costs and environmental impact.

Summary

The Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure on technical conditions for buildings precisely regulates the requirements that hotels and restaurants must meet. From accessibility requirements for the disabled, to fire protection regulations and energy efficiency rules, all are aimed at ensuring the safety, comfort and operational efficiency of buildings in the catering and hospitality sector.