AFP Groups designs and installs AS3745:2010 compliant evacuation diagrams for commercial, industrial, healthcare, education, and strata properties across Melbourne. Our professional CAD designers and floor plan specialists produce fully customised diagrams — not templates — ensuring every ‘You Are Here’ location is accurate and every diagram meets the requirements of the current Australian Standard.
What is an evacuation diagram?
An evacuation diagram (also called a fire evacuation plan or emergency egress diagram) is a site-specific floor plan displayed in a building to guide occupants safely out during an emergency. It shows exits, assembly areas, firefighting equipment locations, and evacuation routes from the specific location where the diagram is posted.
Under AS3745:2010 Planning for Emergencies in Facilities, every person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) at a facility must ensure compliant evacuation diagrams are installed throughout their premises. This obligation applies regardless of business size, industry, or number of employees.
Sample Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan and Diagram
What must an evacuation diagram include?
AS3745:2010 specifies the mandatory content elements for every evacuation diagram in Australia:
| Mandatory element | What it must show |
| Floor plan of the level/area | Must show the layout to scale or indicative proportion |
| “You Are Here” marker | Clearly shows the location of the diagram relative to the floor plan |
| Designated exit routes | Primary and alternative evacuation paths clearly marked |
| Exit points | All designated emergency exit doors labelled |
| Emergency assembly area | Location shown in words or pictorial symbol |
| Firefighting equipment | Location of extinguishers, hose reels, hydrant outlets, blankets |
| First aid equipment | Location of first aid kit(s) |
| Emergency contact info | Key phone numbers and emergency procedures |
| North point / orientation | Compass orientation to assist wayfinding |
| Diagram issue date | Date of last review/update visible on the diagram |
Where must evacuation diagrams be installed?
AS3745:2010 specifies the following placement requirements:
- Mounted 1,200–1,600 mm above the finished floor level
- Located in common paths of travel — corridors, stairwells, lift lobbies, room entrances
- Each diagram must show the ‘You Are Here’ marker for its specific location — copying one diagram across multiple locations is non-compliant
- Installed on fire doors, smoke doors, and fire-rated walls using appropriate fixings that do not compromise the fire rating
- The number of diagrams required is determined by the Emergency Planning Committee (EPC) based on floor area, layout, and occupancy
AFP’s team assesses your site and recommends the correct number and placement of diagrams – so your facility is compliant from day one.
Who needs evacuation diagrams in Victoria?
AS3745:2010 applies to any facility where people work, visit, or reside. Common building types and their specific obligations:
| Building type | Standard(s) | Key requirement |
| Commercial offices | AS3745:2010 | Any size — PCBU obligation under WHS Act |
| Retail & shopping centres | AS3745:2010 | All common areas and tenancies |
| Warehouses & factories | AS3745:2010 | All work areas and common egress routes |
| Schools & universities | AS3745:2010 + Education Regs | Near every exit per Education & Care Services National Regulations Reg. 97 |
| Hospitals & healthcare | AS3745:2010 + AS4083:2010 | Enhanced requirements — all wards, corridors and common areas |
| Aged care facilities | AS3745:2010 + AS4083:2010 | All resident areas, corridors and exits |
| Hotels & accommodation | AS3745:2010 | Behind every room door + common areas |
| Strata & apartments | AS3745:2010 | Common areas, fire stairs, each floor landing |
| Childcare centres | AS3745:2010 + Reg. 97 | Near every exit, prominently displayed |
| Government buildings | AS3745:2010 | All floors and common paths of travel |
How often do evacuation diagrams need to be updated?
Under AS3745:2010, evacuation diagrams must be reviewed and updated:
- Whenever the layout of the facility changes (fit-out, renovation, new partitions, relocated equipment)
- Whenever emergency equipment is moved, added, or removed
- Whenever the designated assembly area changes
- As a minimum, as part of the annual emergency plan review
Outdated diagrams that show incorrect exit routes or equipment locations can be as dangerous as having no diagram at all — and still attract non-compliance penalties.
AFP offers an annual evacuation diagram review service. We update your diagrams whenever your facility changes and send reminder notifications when your annual review is due.
AFP’s evacuation diagram design process
- Step 1: Site assessment
For new clients or complex sites, AFP conducts an on-site assessment to capture accurate floor plan dimensions, equipment locations, exit points, and assembly areas. Existing floor plans (as-built drawings, tenancy plans) can be supplied digitally to streamline the process.
- Step 2: Custom CAD design
Our professional CAD designers produce a fully customised evacuation diagram for each location in your facility — not a generic template. Every ‘You Are Here’ marker is accurate, every exit route is specific to that location, and all mandatory AS3745 elements are included.
- Step 3: Client review and approval
Draft diagrams are submitted for client review before production. Any changes to layout, equipment locations, or assembly areas are incorporated at no extra charge.
- Step 4: Production and installation
AFP produces diagrams in your choice of material — photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark), rigid PVC, laminated poster, or framed — and installs them at the correct height and locations throughout your facility. A compliance record is provided on completion
Why choose AFP for evacuation diagrams in Melbourne?
- Professional CAD design — fully customised, not templates
- All building types covered — commercial, industrial, healthcare, education, strata, hospitality
- Multiple material and framing options to suit your facility
- Fast turnaround — contact us for current lead times
- Annual review reminders — never fall out of compliance
- Based in Thomastown — serving Melbourne CBD, North West and inner suburbs
- Bundle with Emergency Response Plans, Fire Safety Training, and fire equipment servicing
Related AFP services
Customers who order evacuation diagrams from AFP frequently combine them with:
- Emergency Response Plans Melbourne — the companion document to your evacuation diagrams
- Fire Safety Training Melbourne — warden training and evacuation drills
- Fire Equipment Servicing — AS1851 maintenance of all fire equipment shown on your diagrams
- Exit & Emergency Lighting Testing Melbourne — ensure lighting is functional for evacuation routes
FAQs
What Do You Need To Include In Fire Emergency And Evacuation Plan?
There are three components of a fire emergency and evacuation plan: evacuation diagrams, emergency response plans, emergency training. Fire evacuation diagram should be detailed diagrams of how the evacuation would happen in case of emergency; they should be prominently displayed in common areas. The emergency response plan contains all information regarding the emergency contacts, roles and responsibility, hazards, risk, and other information. Emergency training should be given regularly to staff.
Why Is It Essential To Have A Fire Evacuation Plan Diagram?
As mentioned in AS3745, every evacuation diagram must depict the selected exit points and emergency assembly points and evacuation routes. It is advisable to have two exit routes, an alternate escape route which will allow fast evacuation of employees during emergencies. Failure to adhere to AS3745 could result in penalties up to $30,000. The Emergency Planning Committee (EPC) ensures all diagrams are up to date and have all information.
What Is Emergency Evacuation Plan?
An emergency evacuation plan or the emergency response plan is a document in which all critical information about the fire emergency is mentioned. If an updated emergency response plan is not in place, it could attract penalties. Aside from a legal obligation, every organisation’s moral responsibility is to invest in having a robust emergency evacuation plan, evacuation diagram, and ongoing fire and safety training. An emergency response plan could be the difference between life and death.
Why Should You Hire Professionals For Designing Emergency Evacuation Plan And Diagrams?
Professional in fire service will provide a functional, realistic, and fully compliant evacuation plan and diagrams. They will make plans that are easy to read and deliver essential assistance needed to evacuate all employees. They will install the diagram in all prominent places and common areas. Hiring professionals will ensure that the diagram is detailed and vital aspects like you are here signs, and other details are not missed.