Statutory rescue plans

Yes in many sites. A rescue plan under section 15 of the Rescue Act (379/2011) must be drawn up for the following sites:

1. residential buildings with at least three dwellings
2. sites referred to in section 18 of the Rescue Act
3. schools, educational institutions and other similar premises used for teaching
4. child welfare institutions and reform schools, as well as day-care centres, family day care and other premises used for group care of children, excluding private dwellings
5. accommodation premises under the Act on Accommodation and Catering Services (308/2006), and camping sites and temporary camping sites under the Outdoor Recreation Act (606/1973)
6. premises used for temporary mass accommodation of at least 20 persons
7. churches, libraries, sports and exhibition halls, theatres, transport stations, fairgrounds, motor racing circuits, amusement parks and equivalent assembly venues
8. shopping centres and similar premises, and shops over 400 square metres
9. restaurants and similar premises with more than 50 customer seats · Read more about restaurant rescue plans
10. industrial, production and warehouse buildings over 1500 square metres
11. animal shelters requiring an environmental permit under section 27 of the Environmental Protection Act (527/2014)
12. sites where minor industrial handling and storage of a dangerous chemical may be carried out only by submitting the notification referred to in section 24 of the Act on the Safety of Hazardous Chemicals and Explosives (390/2005)
13. buildings and sites defined as cultural property, or containing cultural property, under international agreements binding on Finland on the protection of cultural property, and other buildings and sites protected as cultural property under acts and decrees
14. workplace premises where the number of employees and other people present at the same time is usually at least 50
15. public tunnels over 100 metres long
16. peat production areas
17. sites referred to in sections 22 a–22 c of the Rescue Act

The list is based on Government Decree on rescue services (407/2011).

The purpose of the rescue plan is to protect users of the property and to maintain and develop safety. Although the plan is statutory and supervised by the rescue authority, it is always made first and foremost for the users of the property (other authorities may also ask to see it in connection with their supervision).

Section 15 of the Rescue Act (379/2011) sets the minimum requirements for a rescue plan.

The holder of the building or site is responsible for drawing up the plan. If several operators carry on activities in the building, the holder draws up the plan in cooperation with them.

The rescue plan must include an account of:

1. the conclusions of the hazard and risk assessment
2. the safety arrangements of the building and of the premises used for the activity
3. instructions for residents and other persons on preventing accidents and on acting in accident and hazard situations
4. any other measures related to the site's self-preparedness

These set the statutory minimum. Section 15 of the Rescue Act does not require a separate risk assessment report, but the conclusions of the risk assessment as part of the rescue plan. Through RISKRAMI you get the content required by law and, where needed, more.

The hazard and risk assessment is always carried out in close cooperation with representatives of your site. RISKRAMI tailors the assessment precisely to the real operations, special features and premises of your property: this ensures a realistic, practical picture of the situation instead of a paper exercise.

Every identified risk is examined carefully: we record a clear description of the hazard factor, its possible consequences and concrete preventive measures. In addition, each risk is given a clear visual risk score that illustrates severity and helps prioritise the most important corrective actions effectively.

Statutory responsibility always rests with the holder of the building or site:

• In housing companies: the housing company as the holder of the building is responsible for the rescue plan.
• In commercial properties: responsibility rests with the owner or holder of the property.
• In multi-use properties: the plan is drawn up in cooperation with the operators.

In practice, administration and updating are often delegated to the property manager.

How should a rescue plan be prepared?

You can prepare the rescue plan yourself or commission an external party. With RISKRAMI you prepare the plan in the easiest way. At the same time you ensure that it meets statutory requirements and supports developing safety at your property beyond the minimum.

What is the purpose of a rescue plan?

The plan shows that the property's hazards have been identified and prepared for. It brings together the responsibilities of both the owner and the users and ensures that everyone living, working or visiting the premises finds the safety instructions they need. In RISKRAMI's online emergency instructions, a QR code makes the rescue plan readily available to everyone concerned.

Under the Government Decree, a rescue plan must be kept up to date. Its contents should be reviewed regularly, at least annually, and whenever conditions or operations at the site change.

Changes are updated in the plan without delay, and residents and operators at the property must be informed. In connection with an update, it is also good practice to review the property's risks and any safety shortcomings.