An escape and rescue plan is a simplified, graphical representation of a building part or a floor. It shows the viewer's location and unambiguously visualizes the fastest and safest way to an exit to the outdoors or into a secured area.

In addition, the plan lists the locations of:

Fire extinguishing agents (e.g. fire extinguishers, wall hydrants)

First aid facilities (e.g. first aid kit, defibrillator)

Alarm devices (e.g. push button detectors)

Collection points outside the building

The obligation to prepare and issue escape and rescue plans is mediated by the risk assessment. According to the Technical Rule for Workplaces ASR A2.3 "Escape routes and emergency exits", plans are required in particular if:

The escape route is confusing (e.g. due to winding, long or unclear paths).

A high proportion of local uninformed persons is in the building (e.g. in hotels, hospitals, shopping malls, public facilities).

There are particular risks in the premises (e.g. due to hazardous substances in laboratories or production facilities).

Regardless of this, special building regulations (e.g. for high-rise buildings, assembly or places of sale) also require such plans.

Escape and rescue plans must be prepared by an expert. This person must have the necessary knowledge of the relevant regulations, in particular DIN ISO 23601 and ASR A2.3, as well as the principles of graphic design and security marking. In practice, this task is often taken over by fire protection officers, architects or specialized service providers.

The design and content are significantly regulated by the international standard DIN ISO 23601. The most important requirements are:

Heading: The plan must bear the heading "Escape and Rescue Plan".

Floor plan: A simplified, but to scale representation of the building floor plan. Walls are to be represented as narrow, load-bearing components as broad lines.

Viewer's location: A blue dot labeled Location.

Colour scheme: Escape routes are to be shown in bright green (RAL 6032). The background of the plan should be white or luminescent.

Symbols: All safety signs (for rescue, fire protection, first aid) must comply with the current standard DIN EN ISO 7010.

Code of Conduct: The plan must contain clear instructions on how to behave in case of fire and accident.

Legend: A legend must explain all the symbols used.

Plan head: Information about the building, floor, creator, creation and revision date are mandatory.

Escape and rescue plans must be posted in strategically important and clearly visible places in the building. Typical places are:

Entrance areas and foyer

In front of elevators and in stairwells

In corridor intersections and on long corridors

In break, on-call and common areas

In hotel or patient rooms

The plans must be firmly attached and permanently illuminated or made of aftergloss material.

Escape and rescue plans must always be kept up to date. A formal examination must be carried out at regular intervals, but at the latest every two years, by a competent person.

An immediate update is mandatory if:

Structural changes to the building or to the paths.

The use of the rooms changes.

The locations of security or first aid facilities.

The collection point changes.

The review must be documented on the plan.