Hospitals & Healthcare Evacuation Diagram

🏥 Hospitals & Healthcare Evacuation Diagrams

In healthcare facilities, evacuation diagrams must be carefully designed with the safety of staff, patients, and visitors as the top priority. Each type of emergency requires a different kind of map:

• Fire Evacuation Diagrams – showing safe exits and assembly areas in case of fire.

• Emergency & Severe Weather Maps – identifying safe refuge areas.

• Security & Lockdown Maps – guiding staff in response to security threats.

• Wayfinding & Campus Maps – helping visitors and contractors navigate the facility safely.

Healthcare facilities are often large, multi-level buildings where patients may outnumber staff and evacuation can be complex. Under AS 3745:2010, evacuation diagrams must be:

• Site-specific – tailored to each floor, ward, or department.

• Clear & Compliant – showing designated exit routes, fire doors, fire equipment locations, and assembly areas.

• Up-to-date – regularly reviewed and updated when layouts or risks change.

Our team of fire safety design experts has produced diagrams for hospitals, medical centers, aged care facilities, and specialist clinics. We ensure every diagram meets AS 3745:2010 requirements and supports compliance with:

• Local council approvals

• Accreditation and insurance audits

• Emergency management procedures

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Why Healthcare Evacuation Maps Must Be Up-to-Date (AS 3745:2010)

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Under AS 3745:2010 – Planning for Emergencies in Facilities, evacuation diagrams in healthcare facilities must be:

• Reviewed at least once every 5 years

• Updated immediately when there are changes to the building layout, use of the area, fire equipment, or emergency procedures

Healthcare facilities are often large, multi-level buildings with high occupancy, including patients who may have limited mobility, staff, contractors, and visitors. This makes clear and current evacuation diagrams absolutely essential.

If diagrams are out-of-date, occupants may be directed to incorrect exits or miss critical safety equipment locations, which can lead to serious injuries or fatalities during an emergency.

By keeping evacuation maps current, facilities ensure:

• Compliance with AS 3745:2010 and local fire safety regulations

• Accurate risk management for fire, severe weather, or security incidents

• Improved response times for staff, patients, visitors, and emergency services

• Better coordination with local fire brigades and other emergency responders during pre-incident planning​

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Healthcare Map Requirements (AS 3745:2010)

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According to AS 3745:2010 – Planning for Emergencies in Facilities, evacuation diagrams in healthcare facilities must meet strict compliance requirements to ensure patient, staff, and visitor safety. Each diagram must be customised to the specific facility and regularly reviewed for accuracy.

Key requirements include:

• Display Locations

  • Evacuation diagrams must be conspicuously displayed in areas accessible to occupants (e.g., wards, lobbies, staff areas, hallways).

• Mandatory Features
  Each diagram must clearly show:

  • “You Are Here” location marker

  • Fire exit doors and designated evacuation routes (primary & secondary)

  • Assembly/muster points

  • Location of firefighting equipment (extinguishers, hose reels, hydrants, fire blankets)

  • Fire detection and alarm points (manual call points, panels)

  • Labeled stairwells, lifts (not for evacuation), and exits

  • Building services and shut-offs where relevant (gas, electrical, medical gases in hospitals)

  • Emergency contact numbers

• Design Standards

  • Must be easy to read, simple, and consistent

  • Use colour coding and standardised emergency symbols (as per AS 3745:2010)

  • Include a legend/key explaining all symbols used

• Currency of Diagrams

  • Must be reviewed at least every 5 years, or

  • Immediately updated when floor layout, fire equipment, or emergency procedures change

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By following these requirements, healthcare facilities ensure compliance with Australian Standards while protecting patients, visitors, and staff during any emergency.