In a fire emergency, occupants have only seconds to decide where to go. An accurate, clearly placed evacuation diagram can make the difference between an orderly evacuation and confusion that costs lives. It can also make the difference between passing and failing a fire safety audit.
In Australia, evacuation diagrams are a legal requirement for most workplaces and commercial buildings under AS 3745:2010, the national standard for planning for emergencies in facilities. Whether you manage an office, a warehouse, a retail centre, a strata building, or a childcare centre, understanding what a compliant diagram must include, where it must be placed, and how often it needs to be updated is a core compliance obligation.
Need compliant evacuation diagrams for your building? Fire Safe ANZ produces AS 3745 compliant diagrams for all building types across Australia. Request a quote today
An evacuation diagram is a pictorial floor plan that shows building occupants and visitors how to safely exit the facility in an emergency. It is not just a generic map of the building. A compliant evacuation diagram is specific to the location where it is posted, correctly oriented so the exit routes shown match the direction the reader is facing, and updated to reflect the current layout and equipment in the building.
Evacuation diagrams work alongside your Emergency Response Plan and fire warden structure to give every person in your building the information they need to evacuate safely, even if they have never been briefed on the procedure or have never been in the building before.
Yes. In all states and territories of Australia, it is a requirement of AS 3745:2010 (Planning for Emergencies in Facilities, Section 3.5) to have evacuation diagrams displayed in all facilities, including common areas in multi-tenanted buildings.
In NSW, the Work Health and Safety Regulations reinforce this obligation for all workplaces. Buildings covered by a fire safety schedule will typically have evacuation diagrams listed as an essential fire safety measure, meaning they must be maintained and documented as part of your Annual Fire Safety Statement compliance.
For a full explanation of what a fire safety schedule contains and how it connects to your compliance obligations, read our guide: What Is a Fire Safety Schedule and Why Does It Matter?
AS 3745:2010 sets specific requirements for what every compliant evacuation diagram must contain. A diagram that is missing any of these elements is non-compliant and will be flagged during a fire safety audit or council inspection.
Required elements include:
The diagram must be a minimum of A4 size (210mm x 297mm), with the graphic floor plan representation at least 200mm x 150mm. It must be correctly oriented relative to the direction of egress from the point where it is installed.
Evacuation diagrams must not be placed on fire doors.
AS 3745 requires diagrams to be displayed in locations where occupants and visitors can easily see them. Specific placement rules include:
In multi-storey buildings, each floor requires its own diagram reflecting that floor’s layout, exits, and equipment locations. In multi-tenanted buildings, diagrams must also be displayed in common areas.
For childcare centres, diagrams must be placed at each exit used to enter or exit the service premises, including those leading to outdoor learning environments. This reflects the additional challenges of evacuating very young children. Read more in our guide: Fire Safety Requirements for Childcare Centres in Australia
Not sure if your diagrams are correctly placed or up to date? Fire Safe ANZ can assess your existing diagrams and produce compliant replacements where needed. Get in touch
Under AS 3745, evacuation diagrams are valid for up to five years. However, they must be reviewed and updated sooner whenever there are changes to:
A diagram showing an exit that has since been closed, or equipment that has been moved, is worse than no diagram at all. It actively misdirects occupants during an emergency.
As part of your routine compliance program, Fire Safe ANZ recommends reviewing evacuation diagrams annually alongside your other essential services checks. This ensures any building changes are captured before the next audit or AFSS lodgement.
If evacuation diagrams are listed as an essential fire safety measure on your fire safety schedule, they must be current and compliant at the time your Annual Fire Safety Statement is assessed. An out-of-date or non-compliant diagram will prevent the statement from being endorsed, creating a compliance gap that exposes you to council action.
This is one of the common issues our guide covers in detail: 5 Signs Your Building Will Fail Its Next Fire Safety Audit
For a full walkthrough of the AFSS lodgement process: How to Lodge an AFSS in NSW: Step-by-Step Guide
Different building types have specific considerations when it comes to evacuation diagrams:
Offices and commercial buildings: Standard AS 3745 requirements apply. Multi-floor buildings need individual diagrams per floor. Open-plan layouts should have diagrams placed at regular intervals throughout the floor.
Retail and shopping centres: High foot traffic from visitors unfamiliar with the building makes clear, well-placed diagrams particularly important. Diagrams in retail tenancies must reflect the tenancy layout, not just the base building.
Strata and multi-residential buildings: Common areas including lobbies, corridors, car parks, and lift areas all require diagrams. Apartment entry areas and stairwell landings are key placement locations.
Warehouses and industrial facilities: Large floor plates require strategic placement so no worker is far from a diagram. Complex layouts with high racking, mezzanines, or multiple loading areas need careful mapping.
Hotels and accommodation: Guest rooms and corridors require diagrams that are clear and intuitive for travellers who are unfamiliar with the building layout.
Healthcare and aged care: Diagrams must account for patients and residents who may require assistance to evacuate, and must align with AS 4083 as well as AS 3745.
A diagram on the wall is only effective if the people in your building know how to use it. Fire warden training ensures your wardens can direct occupants to exits efficiently, accounting for the real layout of the building rather than just what is shown on the diagram.
Fire Safe ANZ provides both evacuation diagrams and warden training, so your physical documentation and your people are aligned and prepared.
Fire Safe ANZ produces AS 3745 compliant evacuation diagrams for all building types across NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, and beyond. Our service includes:
Get compliant evacuation diagrams produced and installed for your building. Call 1300 553 566 or request a quote online
