Fire department plans and escape and rescue plans – observe inspection and updating requirements

Organizational fire protection is an essential part of effective risk management and is subject to clear legal and regulatory requirements. Against this background, we would like to draw your attention today to the topic of fire department plans and escape and rescue plans—an area of expertise that is part of the existing portfolio of Hörtkorn Risk Solutions GmbH and is gaining renewed importance, particularly due to recent changes in standards.

Fire department plans and escape and rescue plans – observe inspection and updating obligations

Fire department plans

Fire department plans help firefighters get their bearings quickly, safely, and effectively in case of a fire or emergency. They clearly show all the info about buildings or facilities that’s relevant for the operation and are especially important for bigger or confusing places like industrial plants, meeting and sales venues, office complexes, or high-rise buildings.

The following points must be observed:
• Fire department plans must be drawn up by competent persons
• They must be drawn up in accordance with DIN 14095, which was revised in 2024
• Fire department plans must be reviewed at least every two years and revised as necessary
• In the event of structural, technical, or organizational changes, they must be updated immediately
• Changes and revisions must be coordinated with the responsible fire department.

Up-to-date and standard-compliant fire department plans contribute significantly to shortening response times, minimizing risks for emergency personnel, and limiting damage to people, the environment, and property.

Escape and rescue plans – requirements from the Workplace Ordinance

Escape and rescue plans are part of occupational health and safety and serve to guide employees and visitors in the event of danger. In particular, they show:

• the route of escape routes to the outside
• Locations of fire protection and rescue equipment
• Rules of conduct in the event of fire or emergency

This results in the following requirements, among others:
• Correct positioning of the plans in suitable locations in the building
• Provision of a sufficient number
• Review and revision at least every two years
• Creation in accordance with the applicable standards DIN ISO 23601 and DIN ISO 7010

Holistic approach to fire protection and risk management

The creation and revision of firefighting plans and escape and rescue plans is part of a comprehensive approach to assessing and managing corporate risks.

Hörtkorn Risk Solutions GmbH supports companies in the following areas, among others:
• Property-specific fire protection concepts/fire protection certificates
• Insurance-related fire protection consulting
• Fire protection inventory analyses
• Fire protection due diligence checks
• External fire protection officer
• Risk management • Transport and storage risks
• Logistics and transport concepts
• Project management and support after damage incidents

The aim is to identify risks at an early stage, develop preventive measures, and avoid or reduce potential damage in the long term.

We would be happy to work with you to assess whether your firefighting or escape and rescue plans currently require any action.