Evacuation Diagram Requirements: AS 3745 Australia Guide

Every commercial building, office, warehouse, school, and hospitality venue in Australia needs compliant evacuation diagrams. They are not optional. Australian Standard AS 3745:2010 (Planning for Emergencies in Facilities) sets out exactly what is required, where diagrams must be placed, and what they must contain.

This guide covers everything you need to know.

Who Needs Evacuation Diagrams?

If your building has occupants, staff, or visitors, you almost certainly need evacuation diagrams. This includes:

• Office buildings and co-working spaces
• Retail shops and shopping centres
• Warehouses and industrial facilities
• Schools, childcare centres, and universities
• Hotels, motels, and short-term accommodation (including Airbnb)
• Medical clinics and aged care facilities
• Restaurants, cafes, and pubs
• Churches, community halls, and event venues

What Must an Evacuation Diagram Include?

AS 3745:2010 specifies mandatory and optional components.

Mandatory elements:

• A floor plan showing the area or floor layout
• "You Are Here" indicator showing the diagram's installed location
• All designated exit routes and exit doors
• Location of fire exits and exit signs
• Location of firefighting equipment (extinguishers, hose reels, hydrants)
• Manual call points (fire alarm break glass)
• Assembly area location
• Emergency contact numbers (000, building management, fire warden)
• The building name and full street address
• Date of creation or last review

Optional elements (recommended):

• Fire control room location
• First aid kit locations
• Defibrillator (AED) locations
• Disabled refuge areas
• Fire and smoke doors
• Warden intercommunication points (WIP)

Size Requirements

The minimum diagram size is A4 (210mm x 297mm). The floor plan graphic must be at least 200mm x 150mm (30,000 mm²).

If optional elements are included, the minimum size increases to A3 (297mm x 420mm) with a floor plan area of at least 300mm x 200mm (60,000 mm²).

Placement Rules

Evacuation diagrams must be:

• Mounted between 1,200mm and 1,600mm from the floor
• Displayed at main entrances and exits
• Placed at fire stairs and smoke doors
• Installed at hotel room and apartment unit entries (in Queensland the unit sign may sit on the inside of the entrance door if attached without compromising a fire door)
• Visible and not obstructed by furniture or signage
• Not fixed to fire doors in a way that compromises the door; the adjacent wall is the default position

The diagram must be oriented so that "up" on the diagram matches the direction you would walk forward from where you are standing. The "You Are Here" marker must be accurate to the installed location.

How Often Must Diagrams Be Updated?

AS 3745 does not specify a fixed review period, but best practice is to review and update evacuation diagrams:

• After any building renovation or layout change
• After changes to fire equipment locations
• After changes to exit routes or assembly areas
• At least every 5 years as a general rule
• Whenever the Emergency Planning Committee reviews the emergency plan

Outdated diagrams are a compliance risk. If your building layout has changed since the diagrams were created, they should be replaced.

What Happens If You Do Not Comply?

Non-compliance can result in:

• Fines from local council or fire authorities
• Failed building inspections
• Insurance complications after an incident
• Liability exposure if someone is injured during an evacuation
• Lease or tenancy issues (landlords may require compliance)

The specific penalties vary by state and territory, but the principle is the same everywhere: if your building is occupied, it must have compliant evacuation diagrams.

How Much Do Evacuation Diagrams Cost?

Pricing varies depending on the provider, building complexity, and whether a site visit is required.

Typical market rates in Australia:

• Single diagram: A$100 to A$175
• Small building (4 diagrams): A$400 to A$700
• Medium building (8 diagrams): A$800 to A$1,400

At EvacPath, we offer transparent fixed pricing with no hidden fees:

• Basic Package: A$280 for up to 4 diagrams (A$70 each)
• Standard Package: A$420 for up to 8 diagrams (A$52.50 each)
• Custom: Quote for 9+ diagrams or multi-floor buildings

All work is done remotely from your floor plans. No site visit fees. 3 to 5 business day turnaround.

How to Order Compliant Evacuation Diagrams

Getting started is straightforward:

• Send us your floor plan (PDF, image, or even a hand-drawn sketch)
• Mark the location of fire equipment and exits on the plan
• We create AS 3745-compliant diagrams and send them for your review
• You receive print-ready PDF files

No site visit required, and we work with clients across all of Australia. When you are ready, start your order and we send a first draft for your approval before you pay.