What Is a Situation Plan?
A situation plan shows where all electrical components are physically installed in your building. Learn what it must include and how it differs from a single-line diagram.
A floor plan of your electrical installation
A situation plan (Dutch: situatieschema, French: plan de situation) is a simplified floor plan showing the physical location of relevant electrical equipment — such as sockets, switches, lights, distribution boards and fixed appliances. No universal drawing scale is prescribed; clarity and unambiguous locations matter.
Unlike a single-line diagram, the situation plan doesn't show the logical circuit hierarchy, but rather exactly where everything is located.
What does the AREI say?
The Federal Public Service Economy's official domestic-inspection guidance lists the single-line diagram and situation plan among the minimum documents to provide. The current AREI/RGIE Book 1 defines their content and shared references:
| Document | AREI Article | Shows |
|---|---|---|
| Single-line diagram | Art. 9.1.2 Nr. 1 | Logical structure — protection devices, circuits, hierarchy |
| Situation plan | Art. 9.1.2 Nr. 2 | Physical location — where everything is installed in the building, incl. location of the meter board and earthing system |
The documents must reflect the real installation. Missing or inconsistent plans may be recorded as an infringement; only the approved inspection body determines the official outcome.
What must be on the situation plan?
Checklist
- Clear, simplified floor plan of each relevant storey
- Position of all sockets (single, double, earthed)
- Position of all switches (on/off, two-way, dimmer)
- Lighting points (ceiling, wall, outdoor)
- Distribution board and meter location
- Fixed appliances (hob, boiler, EV charger)
- Unambiguous locations for the equipment referenced on the single-line diagram
- Circuit reference numbers (numbering must be identical between situation plan and single-line diagram)
- Appropriate symbols from AREI/RGIE Table 2.23 (Chapter 2.13)
Situation plan vs. single-line diagram
| Property | Situation plan | Single-line diagram |
|---|---|---|
| Representation | Physical floor plan | Logical circuit diagram |
| Shows position? | Yes — exact location | No |
| Shows hierarchy? | No | Yes — from grid to consumer |
| Protection devices | Position only | Ratings, type, coordination |
| Cable info | Routes visible | Type and cross-section listed |
| Scaled | No universal scale; clear and unambiguous | Not to scale |
Both documents complement each other and are equally mandatory.