Emergency Assembly Areas: Requirements and Best Practices

What Is an Emergency Assembly Area Under AS 3745?

An emergency assembly area is the designated outdoor point where evacuated occupants gather to be accounted for after leaving a building. Under AS 3745:2010, every facility must nominate at least one, and the Emergency Planning Committee (EPC) chooses its location as part of the facility emergency plan. It must sit outside the building at a safe distance (at least 20 metres, and further for tall buildings), clear of emergency vehicle access routes, car parks, and other traffic paths, and be reachable by everyone including people with disabilities. The area needs enough room for the maximum expected number of evacuees, allowing approximately 0.5 to 1 square metre per person, and it must be marked with a ground-level assembly area sign that matches the location shown on the diagrams.

• Outside the building at a safe distance (at least 20 metres, further for tall buildings)
• Clear of emergency vehicle access routes, car parks, and loading zones
• Accessible to all occupants, including wheelchair users, with no steps or steep gradients
• Large enough for the maximum expected evacuees (approximately 0.5 to 1 square metre per person)
• Marked with a ground-level assembly area sign and never blocking fire brigade access

Every evacuation diagram in the building must show the assembly area, matching its real-world location exactly (see the full AS 3745 requirements). EvacPath marks the assembly area on every diagram it produces, from A$280 for up to 4 locations, with a first draft before you pay. See the pricing page.

What AS 3745 Requires

The standard requires that every facility designate at least one assembly area. The assembly area must:

• Be located outside the building at a safe distance
• Be away from emergency vehicle access routes (fire trucks, ambulances)
• Be accessible to all occupants including people with disabilities
• Be clearly identified on all evacuation diagrams
• Have sufficient space for the maximum expected number of evacuees
• Be communicated to all occupants through diagrams, signage, and training

Choosing the Right Location

Selecting an assembly area requires balancing safety, accessibility, and practicality:

• At least 20 metres from the building (further for tall buildings due to falling debris risk)
• Not in car parks where vehicles may be moving
• Not in loading zones or delivery areas
• Not blocking fire hydrant access or fire brigade staging areas
• Accessible by wheelchair without steps or steep gradients
• Sheltered if possible (but safety takes priority over comfort)
• Visible from the building so wardens can direct people
• Not downwind of hazardous materials storage (for industrial sites)

Signage and Marking

Assembly areas should be physically marked:

• Ground-level sign or bollard with the assembly area symbol (green square with running figure and arrow)
• The sign should be visible from the building exits
• In car parks, painted ground markings can supplement signage
• Illuminated signs are recommended for areas used at night
• The assembly area location shown on evacuation diagrams must exactly match the physical location

Capacity and Multiple Assembly Areas

For large buildings or campuses, one assembly area may not be enough:

• Calculate the maximum number of occupants (use the building's maximum occupancy from the development approval)
• Allow approximately 0.5 to 1 square metre per person for comfortable standing
• Multiple assembly areas may be needed for different wings or zones of a large building
• Each assembly area should have a designated warden for accountability
• Colour-code or letter assembly areas (Assembly Area A, B, C) and assign zones accordingly

Accessibility

The assembly area must be accessible to everyone:

• Wheelchair-accessible path from building exits to the assembly area (no steps, kerbs, or rough ground)
• If the primary assembly area is across a road, ensure safe crossing (consider traffic management during evacuation)
• People using evacuation chairs or being carried down stairs will arrive later. The assembly area must remain available.
• Consider people with vision or hearing impairments who may need assistance finding the assembly area

Common Assembly Area Mistakes

The most frequent problems found during inspections and drills:

• Assembly area is in the car park driving lane where cars are still moving
• Assembly area is directly in front of the building entrance where fire trucks need to park
• Assembly area shown on diagrams has been converted to a construction zone, garden bed, or outdoor dining area
• No physical signage at the assembly area. People evacuate and then wander around unsure where to gather.
• Assembly area is on the other side of a busy road with no safe crossing
• Different diagrams in the same building show different assembly areas (lack of coordination between tenants)
• Assembly area has no shelter and is abandoned during rain drills ("we'll just go to the coffee shop")

Accountability at the Assembly Area

The purpose of the assembly area is accountability. This means:

• A warden or designated person must take a roll call or headcount
• Visitor sign-in records should be brought to the assembly area (or accessible digitally)
• Missing persons must be reported to the chief warden and emergency services immediately
• Nobody should leave the assembly area until the chief warden or emergency services gives the all-clear
• Assembly area procedures should be practised during every evacuation drill

Assembly Areas on Evacuation Diagrams

Every evacuation diagram in the building must show the assembly area location. For multi-level buildings, the ground floor diagram typically shows the site plan with the assembly area marked. Upper floor diagrams may include a small inset showing the assembly area location relative to the building.

EvacPath includes assembly area locations on all diagrams. Send us your floor plans and site plan, and we will ensure every diagram correctly directs occupants to the designated assembly point. Pricing starts at A$70 per diagram.