Do you want to create a standard-compliant fire escape and rescue plan for your building? With the special add-on module in cadvilla professional plus, this is possible quickly and easily. You can work on the basis of your existing floor plan and transform it into a clear fire escape plan with just a few clicks. Simply add important symbols, colored escape routes, and legends via drag-and-drop. In this tutorial, we will show you step by step how to use the wizard and finish your plan professionally.

The add-on module Fire Escape Plan Wizard can also be purchased as a separate plugin for your cadvilla version.

1. Preparation and starting the wizard

[00:22] Load project

• First, open your existing cadvilla project for which the fire escape plan is to be created.

[01:09] Set up printer and paper format

• Open the menue and select Printer settings...

• In the Print window, click on Properties... and then on the More... (or Advanced) tab.
• Set the Papersize to the desired format (e.g., A3) and confirm all windows with OK.

[02:06] Call up the fire escape plan wizard

• Switch to the 2D & Layout tab and click on the Wizard function.
• The window for the import settings opens.

[02:17] Adjust settings in the wizard

• Choose the language of your choice.
• Select the option Use settings of the active 2D view.
• If necessary, adjust the Scale (e.g., to 1:125) and confirm with the TAB key. The preview updates automatically.
• Under Paper, check whether the size is correctly set to A3.
• Use the arrow buttons under Frame position to optimally align the floor plan on the sheet. You can adjust the Step width (e.g., to 3.00 m) to move the frame faster.
• Under the Wall section, you can define the 2D display, the fill style, and the fill color of the walls of the floor plan in the fire escape plan.
• Finally, click on Finish. The floor plan for the fire escape plan is now generated.

2. Draw guidelines and escape routes

[05:14] Introduction to the escape route concept

[06:15] Set guidelines for precise working

• Select 2D & Layout > 2D guidelines > Guideline > Centred guideline (or Free guideline).
• Draw guidelines (e.g., centrally through the corridor or in the stair area) in order to be able to place the arrows exactly later.
• Tip: Hold down Ctrl + W to align the line exactly horizontally or vertically. Press Esc to end the function.

[07:33] Place location and escape arrows (drawing elements)

• Go to the 2D & Layout tab > Drawing elements and select Set location.
• Right-click to open the properties, select Properties and set the Diameter (e.g., to 1.00 m). Place the location symbol in the desired room.
• Now select the first arrow under 2D & Layout > Drawing elements > Arrow, angled (or Arrow, straight) to draw the escape route.
• Here too, adjust the Width of the arrows via right-click > Properties (e.g., 0.30 m) and click along the escape route along your guidelines.
• Complete the fire escape plan with the other escape arrows.

3. Color rooms and place symbols

[11:01] Highlight escape routes in color (room representation)

• Select the Room 2D representation function in the menu.
• Click Color and choose a light green (e.g., LightGreen)
• Click on Colour a room and select the corridors and rooms that form the escape route.
• These are now automatically colored green.

[12:47] Insert fire protection and rescue signs

• Open the Catalog on the right side and navigate to 2D Symbols > Fire escape plans.
• Under Fire safety signs, select e.g. the fire extinguisher and place it in the plan with the left mouse button held down.
• To adjust the size, select the symbol, right-click > Properties and change the Width (e.g., to 0.80 m). Make sure that Maintain aspect ratio is activated.
• Use the functions Move with reference point and Copy with reference point to align the symbols exactly on the walls and duplicate them.
• Insert rescue signs (e.g., First aid or Evacuation assembly point) in the same way.

4. Add legends and labels

[17:48] Insert symbol legend

• Click on 2D & Layout > Legends in the menu and select 2D Symbol legend.
• The legend is now attached to the mouse pointer. The dialog window shows which symbols are used in the plan.
• Place the legend with a left-click on the plan.
• Via the selection of the legend > right-click > Properties, you can subsequently adjust the Width of the legend.

[19:30] Place information texts (behavior in case of fire / emergency)

• Go to the catalog under Action plates en-GB.
• Drag and drop the text blocks for “Fire Action” and emergency conduct onto your plan and place them.

[20:38] Individual texts and labels

• Select Text > Item text.
• Click on your location symbol and select the text Position to insert it automatically.
• Via selection of the text > right-click > Properties, you can adjust the text color (e.g., blue).
• Use the Labeling function to insert further free texts (e.g., “Office Building Salzburg, 2. Floor”) and position them on the plan. You can also change the font size (e.g., 5.0 mm) and style.

[23:50] Conclusion

• Check all elements. Your fire escape and rescue plan is now finished and ready for printing.

Note: If no sheet frame is displayed after starting the wizard, it may be due to the selected printer under the printer setup. In this case, simply select a different printer. A suitable and at the same time free PDF printer would be, for example, 7-PDF (Community Edition, free of charge).