Evacuation Diagram Requirements in Victoria

Victoria has its own fire safety compliance framework built around Essential Safety Measures (ESM) and enforced by Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV, formerly MFB) and the Country Fire Authority (CFA). Understanding how Victorian requirements interact with AS 3745 is essential for building owners and managers in the state.

This guide covers Victoria-specific requirements for evacuation diagrams.

Essential Safety Measures (ESM)

Under the Building Regulations 2018, building owners in Victoria must maintain Essential Safety Measures and provide an Annual Essential Safety Measures Report (AESMR). ESMs may include evacuation diagrams if they are listed on the building's occupancy permit or certificate of final inspection.

The ESM regime requires:

• An annual inspection of all listed essential safety measures by a competent person
• A maintenance schedule and log for each ESM
• An Annual Essential Safety Measures Report signed by the building owner
• The AESMR displayed in the building and copies available for inspection
• Rectification of any deficiencies identified during inspection

Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV)

Fire Rescue Victoria (formerly the Metropolitan Fire Brigade) has jurisdiction over Melbourne and major urban centres. FRV can:

• Inspect commercial buildings for fire safety compliance
• Issue Fire Safety Notices requiring installation or update of evacuation diagrams
• Prosecute building owners for serious non-compliance
• Require an Emergency Planning Committee to be established
• Review and approve emergency plans for high-risk buildings

Melbourne CBD Considerations

Melbourne's CBD has a high concentration of multi-story commercial buildings, heritage properties, and mixed-use developments. Specific considerations include:

• Many buildings have undergone extensive renovations behind heritage facades, creating complex floor plans
• Laneways culture means many small hospitality venues operate in narrow buildings with limited exits
• Docklands and Southbank apartments with short-term letting need in-unit diagrams
• Multi-level car parks need diagrams at every pedestrian entry point
• Buildings connected by above-street walkways (e.g., Melbourne Central, Emporium) need coordinated evacuation planning

Regional Victoria and CFA Areas

Outside Melbourne, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) has jurisdiction. Key differences:

• CFA volunteers may conduct building inspections in smaller towns
• Bushfire-prone areas require evacuation planning that considers external fire threats, not just building fires
• Regional industrial buildings (grain silos, manufacturing, cold storage) have specific hazards
• Tourist accommodation in regional areas (wineries, retreats, holiday parks) needs guest-accessible diagrams
• Some regional councils have limited resources for fire safety enforcement, but the legal requirements are the same

Cladding and Fire Safety

Following the Grenfell Tower fire and subsequent investigations, Victoria identified hundreds of buildings with combustible cladding. If your building is on the Victorian Cladding Taskforce register:

• Enhanced evacuation planning may be required
• Interim fire safety measures (24-hour fire watch, enhanced alarms) may affect diagram placement
• Evacuation diagrams should clearly show all fire stairs and note any that are compromised
• Residents and tenants should be informed about the specific evacuation strategy for cladding-affected buildings

Get Victoria-Compliant Evacuation Diagrams

EvacPath creates AS 3745-compliant evacuation diagrams for buildings across Victoria, from Melbourne CBD high-rises to regional commercial properties. We deliver diagrams that meet FRV and CFA inspection standards.

Print-ready PDFs delivered in 3 to 5 business days. Pricing starts at A$70 per diagram. Order your diagrams and see a first draft before you pay.

Other Australian state guides

Evacuation diagram requirements vary by state. AS 3745 provides the technical baseline nationally; each state and territory layers its own fire safety regulations on top. For state-specific guides, see:

- New South Wales (NSW) evacuation diagram requirements - Queensland evacuation diagram requirements - Western Australia evacuation diagram requirements - South Australia evacuation diagram requirements - Australian Capital Territory evacuation diagram requirements - Northern Territory evacuation diagram requirements - Tasmania evacuation diagram requirements