Common Mistakes in Evacuation Diagrams (And How to Avoid Them)

Having an evacuation diagram on the wall is not the same as having a correct one. Across thousands of Australian workplaces, evacuation diagrams contain errors, omissions, and outdated information that could compromise safety during a real emergency. Some of these mistakes are obvious (a diagram showing a layout that no longer exists), while others are subtle (incorrect symbol usage, missing mandatory elements, or a "You Are Here" indicator that points to the wrong location).

This guide covers the most common mistakes we see in evacuation diagrams across all industries, why they matter, and how to ensure your diagrams are genuinely compliant with AS 3745:2010.

1. The Diagram Does Not Match the Current Layout

This is the single most common problem. A wall has been added or removed during a fit-out. A door has been sealed. A new room has been created by partitioning an open plan area. The assembly area has moved because the car park was redeveloped. But the evacuation diagram still shows the old layout.

An outdated diagram is worse than no diagram at all, because it gives people false confidence. A person following an outdated diagram might head toward an exit that no longer exists, or away from a new exit that would get them out faster. AS 3745 requires that evacuation diagrams be reviewed whenever the facility layout changes and updated if the changes affect egress routes, exit locations, or the positions of firefighting equipment.

The fix is straightforward: whenever any physical change is made to the premises (renovation, fit-out, partition change, equipment relocation), compare the change to the current diagram and order an update if needed. This should be a line item in every renovation or fit-out project plan.

2. Missing or Incorrect "You Are Here" Indicator

Every evacuation diagram must include a "You Are Here" indicator showing the exact location where the diagram is posted. This is how people orient themselves on the floor plan. Without it, the diagram is just a generic building map that requires the reader to figure out where they are before they can determine which exit to head toward.

The most common error is printing multiple copies of the same diagram and posting them in different locations without changing the "You Are Here" marker for each location. This means the marker is correct in one location and wrong in every other location. In an emergency, a person looking at a diagram with an incorrect "You Are Here" marker may head in the wrong direction.

Every posted diagram must be location-specific. If you have 10 posting locations, you need 10 versions of the diagram, each with the "You Are Here" marker in the correct position. This is a fundamental requirement of AS 3745 that is frequently ignored in the interest of saving time or money.

• Every posted diagram must have a unique "You Are Here" marker for its specific location
• Printing one generic diagram for all locations is non-compliant
• The marker must reflect the reader's actual position, not just the building entrance
• Orientation of the diagram should match the viewer's perspective (north is not always up)
• If the diagram is posted on a wall, the wall the reader is facing should be at the bottom of the plan

3. Wrong or Missing Symbols

AS 3745 specifies standardised symbols for evacuation diagrams. These include symbols for fire extinguishers (by type), fire hose reels, fire hydrants, manual call points (break glass alarms), first aid kits, exits, assembly areas, and the "You Are Here" indicator. Using non-standard symbols, or omitting required symbols entirely, makes the diagram harder to read and potentially non-compliant.

Common symbol errors include: using a generic "fire extinguisher" symbol without indicating the extinguisher type (water, foam, CO2, dry chemical, wet chemical), omitting manual call points, showing fire hydrants with the wrong symbol, and using arrows that are ambiguous about which direction to travel. Some diagrams use custom icons or clip art that bear no resemblance to the standard symbols.

The fix is to use the symbol set specified in AS 3745 and the referenced Australian Standards for fire safety signage. If you are commissioning an evacuation diagram, confirm with the provider that they use AS 3745-compliant symbols.

4. Assembly Area Not Shown or Incorrectly Located

Every evacuation diagram must show the designated assembly area (also called the emergency assembly point). This is where occupants gather after evacuating so that wardens can conduct a headcount and account for everyone. If the assembly area is not shown on the diagram, evacuees do not know where to go after leaving the building.

Common mistakes include: showing an assembly area that no longer exists (it was in a car park that has been redeveloped), showing an assembly area that is too close to the building (creating a risk from falling debris, radiant heat, or secondary explosions), and showing an assembly area that is not accessible (behind a locked gate, across a busy road, or on private property).

The assembly area should be a safe distance from the building, accessible to all occupants (including those with mobility impairments), and large enough to hold all expected evacuees. It should not be in a location that would be used by emergency services vehicles (fire engines, ambulances) as their staging area.

5. Diagram Orientation Does Not Match the Viewer's Perspective

An evacuation diagram should be oriented so that the direction the viewer is facing corresponds to "up" on the diagram. This is not always north. If a diagram is posted on a south-facing wall, the viewer is facing north, and the diagram should show north at the top. But if the diagram is posted on an east-facing wall, the viewer is facing west, and the diagram should be rotated so that west is at the top.

Many diagrams are printed with a fixed orientation (typically north up) and posted on walls facing various directions. This creates a mismatch between the diagram and the viewer's spatial orientation, making it harder to interpret the diagram quickly. In an emergency, a person looking at a diagram that appears "backwards" relative to their position may turn the wrong way.

The solution is to orient each diagram to match the wall it will be posted on. This requires knowing the posting locations before the diagrams are produced, which is another reason why evacuation diagrams must be site-specific rather than generic.

6. Diagrams Are Too Small, Faded, or Poorly Positioned

AS 3745 provides guidance on diagram size. For areas up to 100 square metres, the minimum recommended diagram size is A4 (297 x 210 mm). For larger areas, A3 (420 x 297 mm) is typical. Regardless of the size standard, the diagram must be legible. Text should be readable from a normal viewing distance (about 1 metre), and the floor plan should be clear enough to identify rooms, corridors, and exits without squinting.

Faded diagrams are a common problem, particularly in premises with high sun exposure (near windows, in shop windows, in outdoor locations). UV exposure degrades print quality over time, making text illegible and colours indistinguishable. Diagrams should be printed on UV-resistant material or protected behind UV-filtering covers. When a diagram becomes faded, it should be replaced.

Positioning matters too. A diagram posted behind a coat rack, inside a cupboard, above head height, or in a dimly lit corridor is effectively invisible. Diagrams should be posted at eye level (approximately 1.4 to 1.6 metres from the floor), in well-lit locations, and free from obstructions. The location should be where people naturally pause or pass through: near exits, at corridor junctions, and in reception areas.

7. No Review Date or Responsible Person

AS 3745 requires that evacuation diagrams include a review date and the name or position of the person responsible for maintaining the diagram. This information tells anyone reading the diagram how current it is and who to contact if they notice an error.

Many diagrams omit this information entirely, or show a review date from years ago, which raises the question of whether the diagram has been reviewed since that date. A diagram dated 2018 in a building that was renovated in 2023 is almost certainly outdated.

The review date should be updated whenever the diagram is reviewed (even if no changes were needed) or whenever the diagram is updated. This creates a paper trail showing that the diagram is actively maintained. Best practice is to review all evacuation diagrams at least annually, coinciding with the annual review of the Emergency Management Plan required by AS 3745.

Get Accurate, Compliant Evacuation Diagrams

EvacPath produces AS 3745-compliant evacuation diagrams that avoid all of the common mistakes described above. Every diagram is created to match your current floor plan, with location-specific "You Are Here" markers, correct AS 3745 symbols, properly oriented layouts, and a documented review date.

Send us your floor plan and we will deliver print-ready PDFs in 3 to 5 business days. No site visit required. Pricing starts at A$70 per diagram. Basic Package A$280 for up to 4 diagrams, Standard Package A$420 for up to 8 diagrams.