· Kilta Mimarlık
Your guest is seeing the building for the first time, and your employee may not know what to do in a moment of panic. A clear plan on the wall saves those seconds.
Short-term rentals (Airbnb and similar platforms) have grown fast in Bodrum in recent years. But many hosts focus on comfort and leave guest safety for later. A simple emergency and fire evacuation plan is both a legal requirement in some cases and one of the most valuable reassurances you can give a guest or an employee.
1. What is an emergency evacuation plan?
It is a visual document drawn on the building's floor plan using standard symbols, showing the nearest exits, alternative escape routes, the location of fire equipment (extinguisher, fire blanket, emergency lighting) and the assembly point outside. It is usually hung somewhere visible: by the entrance, in a corridor or on each floor.
2. The legal basis: not just "nice to have", sometimes required
In Turkey, the Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331 and the related Regulation on Emergencies in Workplaces require employers to prepare an emergency plan and inform employees about it. The Regulation on Fire Protection of Buildings defines the standards for escape routes, fire safety equipment and evacuation plans.
On the short-term rental side, the rules on tourist rentals of homes that came into force in 2024 made hosts' responsibilities for guest safety and information more visible. Having a clear evacuation plan is one of the most concrete ways to meet them.
3. What does a sample plan look like?
Below is a simplified example. A real plan is drawn from the space's own floor plan, uses standard symbols (escape direction arrow, fire extinguisher, assembly point) and has a clean design that is easy to read at a glance.
Simplified example. A real plan is drawn from the space's own floor plan.
4. What should the plan show?
- The nearest and alternative exits
- Clear arrows showing the escape direction
- Fire extinguisher and fire blanket locations
- Emergency lighting and alarm points
- The assembly point outside
- A "you are here" marker
- Standard symbols
- A simple design that reads at a glance
5. Why have an architect draw it?
You can find ready-made templates online, but every space is different: room layout, stair position, balcony exits and garden access don't fit a template. A plan drawn by an architect who reads the space to scale reflects the real escape route and looks professional and reassuring. At Kilta we prepare these plans from your floor plan or photos of the space and deliver them as a PDF.
If you'd like an evacuation plan for your holiday rental, office or business, see our emergency and fire evacuation plan service.
Frequently asked questions
What is an emergency evacuation plan?
A drawing on the building's floor plan that shows the exits, alternative escape routes, fire-fighting equipment and the outdoor assembly point with standard symbols. It hangs at the entrance, in the corridor or in a visible spot on each floor.
Is an evacuation plan a legal requirement?
For workplaces, the Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331 and the Regulation on Emergencies at Workplaces require an emergency plan. For short-term rentals, hosts have guest safety and information duties; a clear plan is one of the most concrete ways to meet them. Check your own case with the relevant authority.
What should the plan show?
The nearest and alternative exits, escape direction arrows, fire extinguisher and fire blanket locations, emergency lighting and alarm points, the assembly point and a "You are here" mark, in a design that reads at a glance.
Why have an architect draw it instead of using a template?
Every property's room layout, stairs, balcony and garden exits are different. A plan drawn to scale from the actual space shows the real escape route. Kilta prepares these plans from your floor plan or photos and delivers them as a PDF.
This article is for general information and is not legal advice. We recommend confirming the regulatory duties that apply to your business with the relevant authorities or an occupational safety specialist.