Evacuation Diagram Printing and Installation Guide for Australia

You have your evacuation diagrams designed and delivered as PDFs. Now you need to print, mount, and install them correctly. Getting this wrong can result in diagrams that fade, peel, or fail inspection.

This guide covers the practical steps for printing and installing evacuation diagrams to AS 3745 standards.

Printing Specifications

AS 3745 sets minimum size requirements:

• Minimum diagram size: A4 (210mm x 297mm) for basic diagrams with mandatory elements only
• If optional elements are included (emergency numbers, first aid, AED, refuge areas): minimum A3 (297mm x 420mm)
• Most commercial installations use A3 as standard for better readability
• Print in full colour on a quality inkjet or laser printer (minimum 300 DPI)
• Use a professional print shop for large quantities or premium finish

Paper and Finish Options

The choice of paper and finish affects durability and longevity:

• Laminated print (most common): the diagram printed at A3 (or A4 for a diagram drawn with the mandatory elements only) on heavy paper (200+ gsm) and encapsulated in gloss or matt laminate. Protects against moisture, UV fading, and handling damage. Typical lifespan: 5 to 8 years indoors.
• Acrylic frame: diagram printed and inserted into a clear acrylic wall-mounted frame. Easy to swap out when updating. Professional appearance. Higher upfront cost but lower replacement cost. Where open food is handled, such as a commercial kitchen or a food production area, use a laminated sheet or a frame with no glass or acrylic instead, so nothing that can shatter hangs near food.
• PVC or aluminium composite panel: diagram printed directly onto rigid material or adhered to a panel. Durable and tamper-resistant. Common in high-traffic or vandal-prone areas.
• Self-adhesive vinyl: printed on adhesive-backed vinyl and applied directly to the wall. Used in hotel rooms (on the wall beside the entry door) and where frames are not practical. Keep it off the door itself: hotel room entry doors are often fire doors, and FPA Australia advises against fixing diagrams to fire or smoke doors unless the fixing has been tested or approved.

Mounting Height

AS 3745 says a diagram should be mounted with its bottom edge at least 1,200mm above the finished floor level or its top edge no more than 1,600mm above it (clause 3.5.3).

Practical guidance:

• 1,500mm to the centre is a safe default: on an A4 or A3 sheet, either way up, it keeps the bottom edge above 1,200mm
• In wheelchair-accessible buildings, mount lower, with the centre around 1,200mm to 1,300mm (the top edge then stays under 1,600mm)
• In hotel rooms, mount on the wall beside the entry door, not on the door (often a fire door), at eye level for a standing adult (approximately 1,500mm)
• Ensure the diagram is not obstructed by door handles, furniture, or signage

Orientation Rules

This is one of the most important and most commonly misunderstood requirements:

• The diagram must be oriented so that "up" on the diagram matches the direction a person would walk forward from the diagram location
• This means the same floor plan will be rotated differently depending on which wall it is mounted on
• A diagram on the north wall of a corridor will be oriented differently from the same floor plan on the south wall
• The "You Are Here" marker must accurately reflect the diagram's installed position
• If a diagram is moved to a different location, both the orientation and "You Are Here" marker must be updated

This is why you cannot simply print one generic diagram and install it everywhere on the same floor. Each location needs its own version.

Installation Tips

Practical tips for a clean, compliant installation:

• Use a spirit level to ensure the diagram is straight
• For laminated prints, use double-sided mounting tape or Velcro strips (allows easy removal for updates)
• For wall frames, use appropriate wall anchors for your wall type (plasterboard vs masonry)
• In fire stairs, ensure the diagram does not obstruct handrails or fire signage
• Never mount diagrams on fire doors (this can interfere with fire door operation)
• In car parks, mount at a height where they will not be hit by car doors or trolleys
• Use tamper-resistant screws in public areas if vandalism is a concern

Replacement and Maintenance

Even well-installed diagrams degrade over time:

• Inspect diagrams during annual fire safety checks
• Replace if faded, yellowed, peeling, or physically damaged
• Check that mounting is secure and diagram has not shifted or fallen
• Confirm "You Are Here" is still accurate (diagrams sometimes get swapped between locations during cleaning or painting)
• Keep digital PDF copies for easy reprinting

Get Print-Ready Diagrams

EvacPath delivers evacuation diagrams as high-resolution, print-ready PDFs. Each diagram is customised with the correct orientation and "You Are Here" position for its specific installation location.

Simply print each PDF at 100% scale (with Fit to page off) on A3 paper, at your local print shop or on an A3 office printer, then laminate or frame, and install. Enlarging an A3 diagram for a bigger sheet is fine; shrinking it is not. If you need help with printing, we can recommend print partners in your area.