Where to Post Emergency Evacuation Diagrams in Australia – AS 3745:2010 (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Ter

Proper planning for building emergencies requires thorough preparation. Under AS 3745:2010 – Planning for Emergencies in Facilities, employers must have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for staff to follow. Emergency evacuation diagrams are a key part of that plan.

For evacuation diagrams to be effective, they must be:

• Easy to locate

• Clear and legible

• Designed to minimise confusion during an emergency

  
  

Best Locations for Emergency Diagrams

Evacuation diagrams should be displayed in conspicuous, well-lit locations. This is particularly important where emergency exits may not be immediately obvious. Staff and visitors should be aware of where diagrams are located on every floor and in every corridor. Including diagram locations in staff training helps occupants stay calm and evacuate safely in an emergency.

The most suitable diagram locations may vary depending on the building’s size, layout, and type of business or organisation. Always follow the requirements of your local fire authority or consult a qualified emergency planning specialist — like our team at Evacuation Diagram Australia — for site-specific advice and full compliance.

Evacuation Diagram Placement in Schools

In schools, evacuation diagrams should be clearly displayed next to or behind the door of every classroom to ensure visibility for all occupants. Additionally, diagrams should be installed at stairwells, lifts, and key circulation points such as corridors and passage areas. Proper placement not only ensures compliance with safety standards but also serves as a valuable wayfinding aid during an emergency, helping students and staff evacuate quickly and safely..

Consider how visitors use the school facilities, including during public events or when hosting other schools’ sports teams. Evacuation diagrams should also be displayed in locker rooms, auditoriums, gyms, and near entrances to large event spaces. This ensures everyone can quickly locate the nearest exit in an emergency.

Evacuation Diagram Placement – Healthcare Facilities

In healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and aged-care centres, evacuation diagrams should be strategically displayed in every patient area, Patient Room, ward, nurse station, waiting area, and corridor intersection. Diagrams should also be positioned near stairwells, lifts, exits, and major circulation points.

Given that patients and visitors may be unfamiliar with the premises, clear and accessible evacuation diagrams are essential to assist both staff and emergency responders in ensuring a safe and orderly evacuation

Evacuation Diagram Placement – Hotels and Accommodation Buildings

In hotels, resorts, and serviced apartments, evacuation diagrams must be installed on the back of every guest room door and in common areas such as lobbies, lift lobbies, corridors, stairwells, and meeting rooms.

These diagrams provide critical information to guests who may be unfamiliar with the building layout, ensuring they understand the nearest exit routes and emergency procedures in case of fire or other emergencies.

Evacuation Diagram Placement – Office Buildings

In office buildings, evacuation diagrams should be prominently displayed near all stairwells, lifts, and inside every conference or meeting room. While employees may be familiar with the general layout of the workplace, they may not always know the nearest safe exit—especially during an emergency.

For maximum visibility, diagrams should be positioned in high-traffic areas such as main entrances, corridors, and near exit doors. Installing them on facility noticeboards or communal areas helps ensure that safety information is always accessible and easily noticed by staff and visitors.

Restaurants and Retail Stores

In retail stores and restaurants, evacuation diagrams should be displayed at all customer entrances and near restrooms. This ensures visibility for both staff and visitors.

Additionally, a diagram should be posted in employee break rooms, such as on noticeboards or other locations where staff regularly access information. This way, employees are familiar with emergency exit routes.

Manufacturing Units and Industrial Facilities

In manufacturing and industrial facilities, evacuation diagrams should be displayed near all stairwells, lifts, and high-traffic areas. Many facilities hold stand-up meetings near noticeboards or information centres, which should also include clearly visible evacuation diagrams.

It is particularly important to place diagrams in areas where exits are not immediately obvious. This ensures all staff and visitors can quickly locate the nearest safe exit in an emergency.

Diagram Orientation is Critical for Clear Evacuation

While having evacuation diagrams available and accessible is essential, proper orientation of the floor plan on posted diagrams is equally important. Under AS 3745:2010, egress maps should be oriented so that the top of the map aligns with the forward walking direction. This ensures that:

• Diagrams are quick and easy to read

• Occupants are guided immediately in the correct direction for fast evacuation

• People evacuating are less likely to make mistakes or become confused

  
  

Proper map orientation is a simple but effective way to improve evacuation efficiency and safety for all building occupants.

Key Details to Include on Your Evacuation Diagrams

When creating an emergency evacuation diagram, it’s important to strike the right balance of information. Too much detail can make a map confusing and slow to use, while too little information may leave occupants unsure of where to go.

Under AS 3745:2010, effective diagrams should include:

• Primary and secondary evacuation routes clearly marked

• Exit doors and exit signs for all egress points

• Designated assembly or muster points

• Accessible routes for people with disabilities

• A “You Are Here” marker to help occupants orient themselves

  
  

These elements form the core of a compliant evacuation diagram. Depending on the building type, you may also need to include additional details, such as fire equipment locations, stairwells, lifts, and emergency shutoffs.

Working with experienced fire safety and evacuation specialists ensures your diagrams are accurate, compliant, and easy to understand. This gives occupants the best chance of safe evacuation during an emergency.

Evacuation Diagrams Australia: Experience Where It Counts

Every building is unique — and missing even a single key map location can cause confusion and delay evacuation during an emergency. To ensure your occupants can evacuate quickly, safely, and intuitively, it’s essential to work with an experienced evacuation planning team.

At Evacuation Diagram Australia, we are proud to be recognised as Australia’s #1 specialist in evacuation diagram design — and for good reason.

No one designs diagrams the way we do. Our team studies every floor plan in precise technical detail, ensuring that every exit, symbol, and direction is clear, compliant, and easy to follow.

This attention to detail means you won’t find a trade partner like us anywhere else in Australia. We combine technical accuracy, AS 3745:2010 compliance, and professional design clarity — creating diagrams that not only meet regulations but also help protect lives and enhance your organisation’s safety reputation.

Every evacuation diagram we produce is prepared by our team of qualified Civil Engineers — not just designers, but technical specialists in building and fire safety.

Before any drawing begins, our experts carefully analyse primary and secondary exit routes, review the building layout, and verify all emergency components to ensure the final diagram is technically accurate and fully compliant.

Because we focus on engineering precision before design, our evacuation diagrams are not only visually clear but also engineered for real-life safety. That’s why you won’t find specialists like us anywhere else in Australia. We don’t just design diagrams — we design life-saving clarity.

If you’d like our expert team to prepare evacuation diagrams for your building, contact us today for a fast, obligation-free quote. We’ll help keep your people safe — and your premises fully compliant.

For more information on evacuation diagrams, visit EvacuationDiagram.com.au. and email us- info@evacuationdiagram.com.au.