Fire evacuation plans

• Clear, simplified layout of the building or floor, including rooms, corridors, and stairwells, as required for effective fire evacuation procedures.
• Location marked with a “You Are Here” pin correctly orientated, supporting the fire escape plan shown at each location.

• Displays all emergency exits using standard symbols (e.g., green running man or exit arrow per BS EN ISO 7010) across your fire evacuation plans and fire escape plan boards.

• Indicates designated escape routes to emergency exits with arrows or lines showing the direction of travel, consistent with your fire evacuation procedures.
• Includes alternative routes for blocked exits and accessible paths (e.g., ramps or evacuation lifts) for those with mobility needs, reflected in the fire action plan and fire escape plan legends.

• Marks locations of fire extinguishers, fire blankets, manual call points and all fire equipment with standardised icons within your fire evacuation plans.

• Shows designated assembly points outside the building for gathering after evacuation, referenced in both the fire escape plan diagrams and the fire action plan instructions.

Provides clear, step-by-step guidance, including:

• Remove: Immediately move anyone in immediate danger from the fire or smoke in line with your fire evacuation procedures. 
• Alarm: Activate the nearest fire alarm to alert others and the fire service as specified in the fire action plan.
• Confine: Close doors to help contain the fire and prevent it from spreading, as shown on the fire escape plan and procedural notes. 
• Extinguish / Evacuate: Attempt to put out the fire if it is small and you are trained to do so. Evacuate: Follow your designated evacuation route, using stairs and avoiding elevators, to move to a pre-determined safe assembly point, per your fire evacuation plans and fire evacuation procedures.

• Includes the building’s name, address, or floor number to assist emergency services and occupants on all fire evacuation plans and fire action plan panels.

• Uses standard fire safety symbols per BS EN ISO 7010 for exits, routes, and equipment across the fire escape plan and fire evacuation plans.
• Ensures legible text (per BS 5499-4) and high-contrast design for visibility in low-light conditions, supporting effective fire evacuation procedures.

• Clarity: Diagrams are designed from the users’ perspective; clear, simple, and uncluttered, using bold colors and large fonts for quick understanding in an emergency, as expected of robust fire evacuation plans.

• Visibility: Diagrams are placed in prominent locations (e.g., near entrances, lifts, or stairwells) to ensure the fire escape plan and fire action plan are easily seen.

• Standards: Diagrams meet BS 5499-4 (fire safety signs) and BS EN ISO 7010 (safety symbols). For residential buildings, they align with Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and, from April 2026, the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) Regulations 2025. For buildings over 11 m, plans reflect applicable additional measures and wayfinding.

• Tailoring: Diagrams reflect the building’s evacuation strategy (e.g., simultaneous for offices, stay-put for purpose-built flats, or phased for high-rise buildings) and are captured in the fire evacuation procedures and fire action plan. Where relevant, design aims for rapid detection, short travel to safety, and timely full evacuation in line with your risk assessment (see 30/30/30 considerations).
   
• Updates: Diagrams are reviewed and updated regularly (generally annually) to reflect changes in building layout, exits, or equipment, as required by fire risk assessments and reflected in your fire evacuation plans.