Detailed design in Morocco: calculation notes, safety notices and specifications

The detailed design, or APD, is where the approved preliminary plans become a technically justified project. The structural engineer prepares a pre-sizing note under the RPS 2000 (2011 version) with the zoning revised by Decree 2-24-766, an energy performance note shows compliance with the RTCM, and the architect drafts the fire safety and accessibility notices. Materials are described against Moroccan standards made mandatory, such as NM 10.1.008 for concrete, and network connections follow the distributors' conditions. The engineering consultants and, where required, an inspection body are appointed at this stage, and the client approves the dimensioned plans and detailed estimate.

Scope

This page covers the detailed design of a building: dimensioned APD plans, the structural pre-sizing note, the energy performance note, the fire safety notice, the accessibility notice, the outline materials description and the detailed estimate. It also covers the appointment of the structural and building services consultants and of the inspection body when the project or the client requires one.

It begins after the client signs the preliminary design and ends with the written approval of the APD and its technical documents. Filing the building permit is the next stage; full construction drawings, reinforcement drawings and the tender documents come after the permit.

Regulatory table

Reference, edition, status, the text that makes the rule mandatory and the verified source (standards catalogue 2026-10-25; NM statuses checked against the official list of the Ministry of Industry and Trade).

ReferenceEditionStatusText making it mandatorySourceNote
Décret n° 2-02-177 du 22/02/2002
Règlement de construction parasismique RPS 2000 version 2011		version consolidée du décret au 11/11/2024mandatoryThe text itself (published in the Official Bulletin)full textSeismic design regulation for buildings: the structural pre-sizing note and the regularity of the frame are justified against it.
Décret n° 2-24-766 du 22/10/2024
Modification du décret 2-02-177 (RPS 2000) — révision du zonage sismique		2024mandatoryThe text itself (published in the Official Bulletin)full textRevised seismic zoning: confirm the zone of the municipality before the structural engineer fixes the design assumptions.
Décret n° 2-13-874 du 15/10/2014
Règlement général de construction fixant les règles de performance énergétique des constructions (RTCM)		2014mandatoryThe text itself (published in the Official Bulletin)full textThermal regulation: the energy performance note filed with the APD shows compliance by the prescriptive or the performance route.
Décret n° 2-14-499 du 15/10/2014
Règlement général de construction fixant les règles de sécurité contre les risques d'incendie et de panique dans les constructions		2014mandatoryThe text itself (published in the Official Bulletin)full textFire safety decree: the fire safety notice describes classification, escape routes, compartments, smoke control and firefighting means.
Décret n° 2-11-246 du 30/09/2011
Décret d'application de la loi 10-03 relative aux accessibilités		2011mandatoryThe text itself (published in the Official Bulletin)full textAccessibility decree: the accessibility notice demonstrates accessible routes and facilities where the building is concerned.
Décret n° 2-12-666 du 28/05/2013
Règlement parasismique des constructions en terre		2013 + 2024mandatoryThe text itself (published in the Official Bulletin)full textOnly for earth construction (rammed earth, adobe): a specific seismic regulation replaces the general rules for those walls.
Loi n° 18-00 modifiée par la loi 106-12
Statut de la copropriété des immeubles bâtis		consolidée (adala)mandatoryThe text itself (published in the Official Bulletin)full textCo-ownership law: in apartment buildings, common parts and lots must be identifiable on the plans to support the future co-ownership rules.
Règlements de service eau
Conditions de raccordement aux réseaux (eau potable, assainissement, électricité)		—voluntary—Régies et sociétés régionales multiservicesDistributors' connection conditions for water, sewerage and electricity: meter positions, inspection chambers and any transformer room are placed in the APD.
NM 10.1.008
Bétons — spécification, performances, production et conformité		NM 10.1.008-2009mandatoryDécision/arrêté d'homologation n° 1074-09MCINET listMoroccan concrete standard made mandatory; the APD description names it so that concrete classes are prescribed on a recognised basis.
NM 10.8.913
Travaux de bâtiment — étanchéité des toitures-terrasses et toitures inclinées avec éléments porteurs en maçonnerie		NM 10.8.913-2020mandatoryDécision/arrêté d'homologation n° 2344-20MCINET listMandatory Moroccan rule for roof waterproofing on masonry decks; the roof build-up described in the APD should be compatible with it.

Who does what

PartyRole
Client (owner)Appoints the structural and services consultants and, when required, the inspection body; approves the APD, its notices and the detailed estimate.
ArchitectProduces the dimensioned plans, the fire and accessibility notices and the outline description of materials, and coordinates the consultants.
Structural engineerWrites the pre-sizing note under the RPS, using the soil report, and fixes the frame principle compatible with the architecture.
Building services engineerPrepares the energy performance note, the power estimate and the services principles for plumbing, electricity and ventilation.
Inspection body (if appointed)Reviews the structural and safety assumptions early, so that its later opinion on the construction drawings holds no surprises.

Inspection milestones

  1. Geotechnical survey Specification (CPS) requirement
    Soil report available and its recommendations taken over in the structural pre-sizing note.
  2. Engineering consultants and inspection body appointed Specification (CPS) requirement
    Contracts signed with the structural and services consultants, and the inspection agreement when the project calls for one.
  3. Detailed design (APD), calculation notes and consultants' drawings approved Legal obligation
    Dimensioned plans, pre-sizing note, RTCM note, fire and accessibility notices, outline description and detailed estimate approved in writing.

Common non-conformities and follow-up

FindingAction
The energy note shows the envelope does not meet the RTCM for the climatic zone.Revise insulation, glazing or shading with the architect and update the note before the permit file is assembled.
The pre-sizing note was prepared without a soil report.Commission the geotechnical survey and have the structural engineer confirm or revise the foundation assumptions.
Fire notice and plans disagree on escape routes or compartments.Align plans and notice, then ask the inspection body or the civil protection reviewer for an early informal opinion.
Materials are described by brand or by foreign standard only.Rewrite the description by performance and by Moroccan standard, keeping foreign references as contractual equivalents if the specification later cites them.

Frequently asked questions

Which technical notes are prepared at APD stage in Morocco?

A structural pre-sizing note under the RPS, an energy performance note under the RTCM, a fire safety notice, an accessibility notice where applicable, an outline materials description and a detailed estimate.

When should the inspection body be appointed?

At the latest during the APD when the project or the client requires one, so that it reviews assumptions before construction drawings are produced.

Are Eurocodes accepted for the structural design?

They can serve as technical references where no Moroccan text applies, but the RPS 2000 remains mandatory for seismic design and Moroccan standards made mandatory prevail for products.

Why mention co-ownership in the design stage?

In apartment buildings, Law 18-00 requires common parts and private lots to be defined. Drawing them clearly at APD avoids rework when the co-ownership plans are prepared.

Does the APD fix the final price?

No. It gives a detailed estimate; the price is set later by the tender and the works contract, based on the construction drawings and the specification.

Sources, author and revisions

Written by , architect · under review · updated . Professional reading, separate from the text of the standard: each requirement is classed as a legal obligation, a specification (CPS) requirement or good practice.

Revision log

All standards for this trade (308)

"Detailed design" phase: 308 regulations and standards from the library apply at this stage. Moroccan texts take precedence; foreign standards are references or equivalents when no Moroccan standard exists.

Moroccan regulations (35)

Mandatory Moroccan standards (NM) (15)

Approved Moroccan standards (NM, voluntary) (57)

Eurocodes (69)

and 29 more: full list, filters and related texts in the standards library of your account (free). Create my free account →

European and French standards (EN, NF, DTU) (60)

and 35 more: full list, filters and related texts in the standards library of your account (free). Create my free account →

Other jurisdictions (equivalents) (72)

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All phases

Sketch design · Preliminary design · Building permit · Tender documents · Construction documents · Construction site · Handover

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