Escape and rescue plans
Escape and rescue plans are essential orientation aids in dangerous situations such as fires, power outages, or other emergencies. They ensure that people can leave the building quickly and safely, while also giving emergency responders important information for rescue and firefighting operations. As part of preventive fire protection, they are legally required for numerous facilities – and save lives in an emergency.
Escape and Rescue Plans in Detail
An escape and rescue plan is a standard-compliant, clearly structured overview showing escape routes, emergency exits, fire extinguishers, wall hydrants, first-aid stations, and assembly points. The graphic representation must be oriented correctly from the viewer's perspective and based on the building's current floor plan.
Creation is based on DIN ISO 23601 and uses safety signs in accordance with DIN EN ISO 7010. For buildings with older markings under BGV A8 or mixed signage, additional requirements from ASR A1.3 apply.
Areas of Application & Legal Requirements for Escape and Rescue Plans
Escape and rescue plans are required wherever many people are present who need to orient themselves quickly in an emergency – particularly in:
Workplaces (offices, workshops, production halls)
Public buildings (schools, daycare centers, hospitals, government offices)
Accommodation facilities (hotels, youth hostels)
Event venues (cinemas, stadiums, theaters)
Residential complexes with elevated risk (e.g. high-rise buildings)
The obligation to display escape and rescue plans arises, among other things, from Section 4 of the Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV) as well as the Technical Rules for Workplaces, in particular ASR A1.3, A2.2, and A2.3. Requirements regarding the structure, colors, and content of such plans are set out in DIN ISO 23601. The safety signs contained therein are based on DIN EN ISO 7010. In addition, individual requirements from the respective fire protection concept must be observed.
An escape and rescue plan must always be up to date, standard-compliant, and clearly legible. Changes to the building (renovations, new fire protection equipment, etc.) must be incorporated promptly. Regular review – ideally every two years – is recommended.
Your Experts for Escape and Rescue Plans
With our all-inclusive service, we create legally compliant, standard-conforming escape and rescue plans – individually tailored to your local conditions and the regional requirements of the fire protection authorities.
Our range of services:
Analysis of on-site conditions
Creation of standard-compliant escape and rescue plans
Simple and fast updates when changes occur
Consideration of regional regulations
Use of standard-compliant safety signs in accordance with DIN EN ISO 7010
Additional Products & Services
In addition to creating your escape and rescue plans, CWS Fire Safety offers a comprehensive range of standard-compliant accessories: these include high-quality frames for optimal display, escape route signage in accordance with ASR A1.3, as well as safety lighting to current standards. We also handle the regular updating of your plans as a convenient service – fast, legally compliant, and reliable.
Would you like to learn more about implementing escape and rescue plans in your building? Contact us – we would be happy to advise you individually and without obligation.