vide sanitaire
Page approvedn. m. · crawl space (US) · underfloor void or sub-floor void (UK)
Definition
Espace vide, en général ventilé, situé entre le sol naturel et le plancher bas du bâtiment. Il éloigne le plancher de l'humidité du sol.
An empty space, usually ventilated, between the ground and the lowest floor of a building. It keeps the floor away from ground moisture.
Diagram
Example sentences
Written (email, official document)
FRLe vide sanitaire sera ventilé par des aérations sur deux façades opposées.
ENThe crawl space will be ventilated through openings on two opposite façades.
Spoken (standard)
FRLes gaines passent dans le vide sanitaire.
ENThe ducts run through the crawl space.
Spoken (informal)
FRLe vide sanitaire est inondé, il faut pomper.
ENThe crawl space is flooded, we need to pump it out.
Nuances and pitfalls
Nothing to do with toilets. “Sanitaire” refers to the health of the building: the void protects the floor from moisture.
Not a basement. A sous-sol is a level people use (basement); a vide sanitaire is a low space, often just high enough to crawl in.
Related terms
fondationssemelledalle sur terre-pleinradierRegulatory and standard references
Legislation in force may differ from what is shown here.
Validation
- French term, register, FR sentences : ✓ validated
- US/UK equivalents and EN sentences : ✓ validated
- Diagram : ✓ validated
Reviewed by Raphaël B. · 5 Oct 2026
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