Temperature limits inside buildings (heating, air conditioning)

Verified 07 August 2026 - Entreprendre Service Public / (Prime Minister)

The regulations set out heating temperature limits buildings, and cooling temperature limits (by air conditioning). Specific provisions are laid down for certain buildings housing scientific, sporting, craft, industrial, commercial, agricultural or medical activities. We present the regulations to you.

General regulations

In premises, particularly for teaching, office or public use, upper heating temperature limits are, during periods of occupation, fixed at an average of 19° C for all premises used for a purpose other than housing included in the same building.

Example :

A building of 100 m² including 30 m² from premises are heated to 20°C and 70 m² from premises are heated to 18°C respects the limit of 19°C maximum on average.

During the periods ofvacancy of these premises for a period of between 24 and 48 consecutive hours, the upper average heating temperature limits for all premises for professional use included in the same building shall be fixed at 16° C.

During periods ofvacancy of such premises for a period of 48 consecutive hours or more, these limits shall be set at 8°C.

Premises where scientific, sporting, craft, industrial, commercial or agricultural activities are carried out

Temperature limits are different in certain premises where administrative, scientific, sporting, craft, industrial, commercial or agricultural activities are carried out.

Temperature limits depend on the activity carried out:

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Scientist

In premises for scientific research where heating is used mainly for reasons unrelated to the health and hygiene of personnel (e.g. culture temperature of living organisms, etc.), the heating limit temperature is fixed in each case by the head of the establishment, in accordance with scientific requirements.

In other scientific premises, the general rules apply (19°C during periods of occupation).

Sporty

Swimming pool

In the swimming pools, during periods of activity, the air heating limit temperature shall be fixed at:

  • 27°C in the halls of basins
  • 23°C in annexes, including changing rooms and showers

In a period ofvacancy, the heating limit temperature of the whole building is fixed at:

  • 16°C when the period of vacancy or inactivity is between 24 and 48 hours
  • 8°C when the period of vacancy or non-activity is equal to or greater than 48 hours.
Ice rink

In the ice rinks, during periods of activity, the heating limit temperature shall be fixed at:

  • 12°C in bleachers and practice areas (on ice)
  • 20°C in annexes, including changing rooms and showers

In a period ofvacancy, the heating limit temperature shall be fixed at:

  • 16°C in the Annexes, where the period of vacancy or non-activity is between 24 and 48 hours
  • 8°C in the entire rink, when the duration of vacancy or non-activity is equal to or greater than 48 hours.
Other sports facilities

In the sports facilities (excluding swimming pools and ice rinks), the heating limit temperature shall be fixed at:

  • 18°C in premises where corrective gymnastics is practiced
  • 15°C in premises where ground gymnastics are practiced
  • 14°C in other sports facilities. Examples: basketball, handball, climbing, etc.
  • 20°C in annexes, including changing rooms and showers

In a period ofvacancy, the heating limit temperature shall be fixed at:

  • 16°C in the annexes and in the premises where corrective gymnastics is practiced, when the duration of vacancy or non-activity is between 24 and 48 hours
  • 8°C throughout the building, where the period of vacancy or non-activity is equal to or greater than 48 hours.

Craft or industrial

In premises where heating is used for reasons unrelated to the health and hygiene of the personnel, and in particular premises where heating is necessary for the treatment or preservation of materials or products, the heating limit temperature is set, in each case, by the head of the establishment depending on the technical requirements of the activities in question.

In premises where a non-sedentary work, the heating limit temperature shall be fixed in each case by the prefect, after consulting the labor inspector, and not more than 18°C.

In other craft or industrial premises, the general rules apply (19°C during periods of occupation).

In premises where a non-sedentary work, in the period ofvacancy, the heating limit temperature shall be fixed at:

  • 16°C when the period of vacancy or inactivity is between 24 and 48 hours
  • 8°C when the period of vacancy or non-activity is equal to or greater than 48 hours.

Commercial

In premises where people must be undressed, and in particular beauty salons, the heating limit temperature shall be set at 23°C.

In other commercial premises, the general rules apply (19°C during periods of occupation).

In premises where people must be stripped, during periods ofvacancy, the heating limit temperature shall be fixed at:

  • 16°C when the period of vacancy or inactivity is between 24 and 48 hours
  • 8°C when the period of vacancy or non-activity is equal to or greater than 48 hours.

Agricultural

Livestock buildings

In the livestock buildings, the heating limit temperature shall be fixed at:

  • 18°C in cattle and equine farming buildings
  • 18°C, which may be occasionally 30°C in the maternity areas of pigs
  • 25°C in the post-weaning workshops of pigs
  • 16°C in other pig-rearing buildings
  • 22°C in nurseries (poultry)

In other livestock buildings, the general rules shall apply (19°C during periods of occupation).

In the livestock buildings, in the period ofvacancy, the heating limit temperature shall be fixed at:

  • 16°C when the period of vacancy or inactivity is between 24 and 48 hours
  • 8°C when the period of vacancy or non-activity is equal to or greater than 48 hours.
Greenhouses

In greenhouses, the heating limit temperature is fixed in each case by the head of the establishment depending on the needs of the agricultural activity.

Other premises of an agricultural nature

In agricultural premises which are not livestock buildings or greenhouses, the general rules shall apply (19°C during periods of occupation).

Premises and facilities where medical care is provided

In the premises and facilities where medical care is provided, during periods of activity, the heating limit temperature shall be fixed at:

  • 26°C in the premises of high medical technology, including premises:
    • Surgical procedure
    • Obstetric intervention
    • Resuscitation
    • Continuous monitoring
    • Intended for burn victims
    • Neonatology or intended for infants
    • Of special isolation
    • Diagnostic radiology
  • 24°C in the parts receiving partially or completely naked patients, such as:
    • Consultation premises
    • Medical offices
    • Examination rooms for explorations, treatments, samples
    • Sanitary facilities and bathrooms
  • 22°C on average and not exceeding 24°C, in the accommodation or premises where medical care is provided to persons who are not hospitalized or who house elderly persons or young children.

In other medical premises, the general rules apply (19°C during periods of occupation).

Please note

In rooms where the temperature constitutes a means of treatment or investigation, the limiting heating temperature is fixed by the head of establishment.

In premises where a cooling system is installed, it shall be operated or maintained only when the indoor temperature of the premises exceeds 26°C.

Whenever the indoor temperature is below 26°C, the cooling (air conditioning) system shall be switched off.

Please note

That does not apply buildings or parts of buildings where medical care to non-hospitalized persons, hospital establishments and dwellings, premises and establishments where elderly persons or young children are housed or accommodated.

This also does not apply to buildings or parts of buildings which, because of constraints related to their use (e.g. food preservation), must guarantee specific conditions of temperature, humidity or air quality.

The exceeding heating temperature limits of the eastern buildings punished by the fine for contraventions of 5e class, of an amount of €1,500 (natural persons) or €7,500 (legal persons).

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