Ask a building manager whether they have escape plans displayed and the answer is almost always yes. Ask whether those plans comply with SANS 23601:2010 and the answer is almost always silence — followed by "I assume so." That assumption is wrong more often than it is right.
Across commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings in South Africa, the majority of displayed escape plans fail at least one mandatory requirement of SANS 23601. The failures are visible, measurable, and identifiable by any inspector who knows what to look for.
What SANS 23601 Is and Why It Is Legally Required
SANS 23601:2010 is South Africa's identical adoption of ISO 23601:2009 — the international standard for escape and evacuation plan signs. It establishes exact design principles for displayed escape plans: colour coding, graphical symbols, minimum sizes, content requirements, and installation positions.
It is referenced in SANS 10400-T and enforced under the OHS Act 85 of 1993. A plan that does not meet SANS 23601 is not a compliant escape plan under South African law — regardless of how much information it contains, how recently it was printed, or whether it was produced by a professional.
Legal exposure: DOL inspectors and fire department officials identify non-compliant plans during inspections and issue improvement notices requiring immediate rectification. Non-compliance can escalate to prohibition notices and prosecution under the OHS Act. A fire incident involving a non-compliant plan also gives insurers documented grounds to contest claims.
The 11 Mandatory Requirements — and Where Plans Typically Fail
Req 01
Minimum Size
Clause 5(h)
The minimum size of an escape plan is 297mm × 420mm (A3) for corridors, lobbies, and common areas. A4 (210mm × 297mm) is only permitted for plans in individual rooms. A 5% dimensional tolerance is acceptable.
A4 plans displayed in corridors and lobbies. Plans reduced during photocopying below the A3 minimum.
Req 02
Mandatory Colour Coding
Clause 5(b)
Escape plans shall use colour. A black-and-white plan does not comply. The colour coding is a mandatory part of the communication system, not a visual preference. Each colour carries a specific meaning defined by the standard:
| Colour | Purpose | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Light Green | Escape route highlighting | Clause 7.7.1 |
| Safety Green | Directional arrows, exits, header | ISO 3864-1 |
| Safety Blue | "You Are Here" marker — mandatory | Clause 7.7.3 |
| Safety Red | Firefighting equipment signs | ISO 7010 |
| White | Background — mandatory | Clause 7.7.4 |
| Black | Structural walls and text | Clause 7.7.5 / 7.7.7 |
Black-and-white AutoCAD or architectural prints. "You Are Here" marker in red or yellow instead of safety blue. Non-standardised route colours.
Req 03
"You Are Here" Marker
Clause 5(a) + 7.7.3
The exact location of the user shall be indicated on every plan — in safety blue per ISO 3864-1. The marker must be accurate and position-specific to each display point. The same plan template cannot be used at multiple locations without updating the marker for each.
Plans with no "You Are Here" indicator at all. Identical plan templates at every location with the marker in the wrong position — or the same position regardless of where the viewer is standing.
Req 04
Viewer Orientation
Clause 5(j)
The plan must be displayed so that locations to the viewer's left on the plan correspond to actual locations to the viewer's left in the building. This is not automatically "north up" — it depends entirely on the direction the viewer is facing at each display point.
This is the most dangerous failure. A north-up plan displayed to a viewer facing south reverses left and right completely. In a real fire with smoke and adrenaline, people follow the plan without questioning it. An incorrectly oriented plan sends them in the wrong direction.
The same north-up plan used at every location in the building regardless of which direction the viewer faces at each point.
Req 05
Standardised Header
Clause 5(m) + 7.1
Every escape plan must have a standardised header containing the words "Escape Plan" in safety colour green. Header height must be at least 7% of the smallest dimension of the plan.
No header at all. Header text in black. Header too small relative to plan dimensions.
Req 06
Legend
Clause 5(l) + 7.5
Every plan must include a legend explaining the meaning of all safety signs, graphical symbols, and colour coding used on that plan. If a symbol appears on the plan and is not in the legend, the plan does not comply.
No legend. Symbols appearing on the plan that are not explained anywhere.
Req 07
ISO 7010 Safety Signs
Clause 5(k)
All safety signs shown on the plan must conform to ISO 7010 — the international standard for safety signs in workplaces and public areas. This covers exit signs, directional arrows, firefighting equipment signs, and assembly point signs.
Generic or custom-designed icons instead of standardised ISO 7010 signs. Non-standard arrows for directional information.
Req 08
Overview Plan
Clause 7.2
Every escape plan must incorporate an overview plan showing: the assembly point location, the overall facility with the current section highlighted, and a simplified representation of surrounding roads and buildings. The overview must not exceed 10% of the total plan area.
No overview plan — only the relevant floor shown. Overview larger than 10% of plan area.
Req 09
Assembly Point
Clause 5(n)
Escape plans must show the position of the designated assembly point — the outdoor gathering location for all occupants after evacuation. The assembly point shown must be current and accurate.
No assembly point shown. Outdated assembly point location due to building extension, new fencing, or parking reconfiguration.
Req 10
Mandatory Plan Information
Clause 7.6
Every plan must include: plan designer name, facility name, floor designation, date of plan design, revision number, and plan number. These details make it possible to identify whether a plan is current and who is accountable for its accuracy.
No date — making it impossible to determine whether the plan reflects the current building. No floor designation on multi-floor buildings. No designer name or revision number.
Req 11
Currency — Plans Must Be Up to Date
Clause 5(i) + Section 10
Escape plans shall be up to date. Any change to the facility's layout, exits, escape routes, equipment locations, fire safety procedures, or assembly point triggers an obligation to review and where necessary revise the plans.
Plans showing a building layout that no longer exists. Missing fire equipment added after the plans were created. Outdated assembly points. Plans not reviewed after a renovation or change in use.
Where Plans Must Be Installed
SANS 23601 Section 9 specifies that plans must be permanently fixed and conspicuous. Storing them in a folder or displaying only at the main entrance does not comply. Each location requires its own correctly oriented, position-specific plan.
| Required Location | Requirement | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Every floor — entry points | Compliant plan at every floor-level entry, oriented to that viewer's position | 9(b) |
| Near lifts and staircases | Primary evacuation decision points — mandatory at all stairwells and lift lobbies | 9(b) |
| Corridor junctions | Every junction where an occupant must choose a direction during evacuation | 9(b) |
| Training and gathering points | Cafeterias, meeting rooms, office centres, reception areas | 9(b) |
| Individual rooms — hotels | Every guest room requires a plan — minimum A4, oriented to viewer in that room | 9(b) |
Compliant vs. Non-Compliant: What the Difference Looks Like
✕ Non-Compliant Plan
- A4 size in a corridor or lobby
- Black and white — no colour coding
- No "You Are Here" marker
- North-up at every location regardless of viewer direction
- No header, or header in black text
- No legend explaining symbols and colours
- Generic icons instead of ISO 7010 signs
- No overview plan and no assembly point
- No date, no designer name, no revision number
- Outdated building layout or equipment positions
✓ SANS 23601 Compliant
- Minimum A3 in corridors (A4 only in individual rooms)
- Full ISO colour coding throughout
- Safety blue "You Are Here" — accurate for each display point
- Oriented so left on plan = viewer's actual left at that location
- Safety green header with "Escape Plan" text at correct size
- Complete legend of all symbols and colour meanings
- ISO 7010 standard safety signs throughout
- Overview plan with current assembly point shown
- Designer name, date, revision number, plan number
- Current layout — reviewed after any building change
The Consequences of Non-Compliant Escape Plans
Legal: DOL inspectors and fire officials identify non-compliant plans and issue improvement notices. Escalation leads to prohibition notices and potential prosecution under the OHS Act 85 of 1993.
Insurance: A fire incident investigation finding non-compliant plans gives insurers documented grounds to contest claims and challenge coverage — particularly where evacuation was delayed or misdirected.
Life safety — the consequence that matters most: An incorrectly oriented plan sends occupants in the wrong direction. A plan without a "You Are Here" marker leaves people unable to self-locate. An outdated plan shows exits that no longer exist or routes that are now blocked. In a real fire, with smoke reducing visibility and adrenaline reducing cognitive function, occupants rely completely on what the plan shows them. If the plan is wrong, people go the wrong way. That outcome is irreversible.
Frequently Asked Questions
SANS 23601:2010 is South Africa's adoption of ISO 23601:2009 — the international standard for escape and evacuation plan signs. It specifies colour coding, minimum sizes, mandatory markers, viewer orientation, content requirements and installation positions for displayed escape plans. It is referenced in SANS 10400-T and enforced under the OHS Act 85 of 1993. A plan that does not comply is not a legally valid escape plan, regardless of when it was produced or who produced it.
SANS 23601 Clause 5(h) requires a minimum size of 297mm × 420mm (A3) for escape plans in corridors, lobbies, and common areas. A4 (210mm × 297mm) is only permitted for plans in individual rooms such as hotel guest rooms. A 5% tolerance is acceptable. A4 plans displayed in corridors are non-compliant regardless of their content.
Yes, without exception. SANS 23601 Clause 5(b) requires escape plans to use colour — a black-and-white plan does not comply. Each colour carries a mandatory meaning: light green for escape route highlighting, safety green for directional arrows and the header, safety blue for the You Are Here marker, safety red for firefighting equipment signs, white for the background, and black for structural walls and text.
No. SANS 23601 Clause 5(j) requires viewer orientation — the plan must be displayed so that left on the plan corresponds to the viewer's actual left at that location. Clause 5(a) requires the You Are Here marker to be accurate for each specific display point. Both requirements mean each display location needs its own correctly configured plan. A single north-up template used throughout a building will be incorrectly oriented at multiple locations.
SANS 23601 Clause 5(i) and Section 10 require escape plans to be kept up to date. Any change to the facility's layout, exits, escape routes, equipment locations, fire safety procedures, or assembly point triggers an obligation to review and where necessary revise the plans. There is no fixed calendar interval — the trigger is any material change to the building or its fire safety arrangements.
SANS 23601 Section 9 requires plans to be permanently fixed and conspicuous at: every floor-level entry point, near all lifts and staircases, at every corridor junction where an occupant must choose a direction, in cafeterias, meeting rooms and other gathering points, and in every guest room in hotels (minimum A4). Each location requires its own orientation-specific plan — a single plan displayed only at the main entrance does not comply.
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