Evacuation Diagram Compliance Checklist: What Must Be Included Under AS 3745-2010

Evacuation Diagram Compliance Checklist: What Must Be Included Under AS 3745-2010

Evacuation diagrams are a legal requirement for virtually all workplaces in Australia. However, many businesses have diagrams that are outdated, incomplete, or simply do not meet the requirements of Australian Standard AS 3745-2010. This comprehensive checklist will help you audit your current evacuation diagrams and identify any areas of non-compliance.

What Is an Evacuation Diagram?

An evacuation diagram is a floor plan of a building or level that shows occupants how to safely evacuate in the event of an emergency. It is not simply a fire escape map — a compliant evacuation diagram must contain a specific set of information as prescribed by AS 3745-2010 and must be displayed in specific locations throughout the facility.

The Legal Requirement for Evacuation Diagrams

AS 3745-2010 Planning for Emergencies in Facilities requires that evacuation diagrams be:

• Prepared for every level or area of a facility
• Displayed in prominent locations throughout the facility, particularly near exits and in common areas
• Reviewed and updated whenever there are changes to the facility that affect evacuation routes or emergency equipment locations
• Reviewed at least every five years, even if no changes have occurred

Under Work Health and Safety legislation, employers have a duty to ensure that adequate emergency procedures are in place. Failure to maintain compliant evacuation diagrams is a breach of this duty and can result in significant penalties.

Complete Compliance Checklist

Use the following checklist to audit each evacuation diagram in your facility:

1. Floor Plan Accuracy

• The floor plan accurately represents the current layout of the floor or area
• All rooms, corridors, and spaces are correctly shown
• The floor plan is drawn to a recognisable scale or includes a scale indicator
• The diagram is clearly labelled with the building name, address, and floor/level number

2. "You Are Here" Marker

• A clear "You Are Here" marker is shown on the diagram
• The "You Are Here" marker is positioned to correspond with the actual location where the diagram is displayed
• The marker is clearly visible and distinguishable from other symbols

3. Evacuation Routes

• All primary evacuation routes are shown with clear directional arrows
• Alternative evacuation routes are shown where available
• Evacuation routes are shown in a colour that is clearly distinguishable from the floor plan background (typically green)
• All evacuation routes lead to an exit

4. Emergency Exits

• All emergency exits are clearly marked on the diagram
• Exit doors are distinguished from other doors
• The diagram shows the direction of door swing for exit doors where relevant

5. Assembly Area

• The designated assembly area is clearly shown on the diagram
• The assembly area is identified with the standard assembly area symbol
• If there are multiple assembly areas, all are shown and clearly labelled
• The route from the building to the assembly area is indicated

6. Fire Safety Equipment

• The location of all fire extinguishers is shown using the correct symbol
• The location of fire hose reels is shown (where applicable)
• The location of fire blankets is shown (where applicable)
• The location of manual call points (break glass alarms) is shown
• The location of the fire indicator panel is shown (typically on ground floor diagrams)

7. First Aid Equipment

• The location of first aid kits is shown
• The location of defibrillators (AEDs) is shown where present
• The location of emergency eyewash stations is shown (where applicable)

8. Hazardous Areas

• Any areas containing hazardous materials are identified
• Restricted areas relevant to emergency response are identified

9. Emergency Contact Information

• Emergency services number (000) is displayed
• The facility's emergency contact number is displayed
• The name and contact details of the Chief Warden or emergency coordinator may be included

10. Legend and Symbols

• A legend is included explaining all symbols used on the diagram
• Symbols used are consistent with AS 3745-2010 and/or AS 1319 (Safety Signs)
• The legend is clear and easy to read

11. Date and Review Information

• The date of preparation or last review is shown on the diagram
• The next review date is shown (or a statement that the diagram will be reviewed within five years)
• The name of the person or organisation responsible for the diagram is shown

12. Physical Requirements

• The diagram is displayed at a height that is easily readable (approximately eye level)
• The diagram is protected from damage (e.g., behind a perspex cover or laminated)
• The diagram is not obstructed by furniture, equipment, or other signage
• The diagram is large enough to be easily read (typically A3 size minimum)
• The diagram is displayed in a prominent location near exits or in common areas

13. Orientation

• The diagram is oriented so that "up" on the diagram corresponds to the direction the viewer is facing
• The "You Are Here" marker is positioned correctly relative to the diagram's orientation

How Often Must Evacuation Diagrams Be Updated?

AS 3745-2010 requires evacuation diagrams to be reviewed and updated whenever there are changes to the facility that affect the information shown on the diagram. This includes:

• Changes to the floor plan (new walls, relocated rooms, changed uses of spaces)
• Changes to emergency exit locations or configurations
• Changes to the location of fire safety or first aid equipment
• Changes to the designated assembly area
• Changes to emergency contact information

Even if no changes have occurred, diagrams must be reviewed at least every five years to confirm their accuracy and currency.

Common Non-Compliance Issues

In our experience auditing evacuation diagrams across Perth workplaces, the most common non-compliance issues include:

Outdated floor plans: Many businesses have diagrams that show the original layout of the building but have not been updated to reflect subsequent renovations or changes in tenancy. An outdated floor plan can actively mislead occupants during an emergency.

Incorrect "You Are Here" positioning: Diagrams that have been moved from their original location, or that were never correctly oriented in the first place, can confuse occupants trying to identify their evacuation route.

Missing or incorrect assembly area: Some diagrams show an assembly area that is no longer in use, or fail to show the assembly area at all. This is one of the most critical pieces of information on the diagram.

Outdated emergency contact information: Phone numbers and warden names change frequently. Diagrams with outdated contact information are not only non-compliant but can delay emergency response.

Poor physical condition: Diagrams that are faded, damaged, or obscured by other materials cannot serve their purpose. Regular inspection of the physical condition of displayed diagrams is essential.

Getting Your Diagrams Right

Preparing compliant evacuation diagrams requires specialist knowledge of AS 3745-2010 requirements and the ability to accurately represent complex floor plans in a clear, readable format. Ready Set Rescue WA prepares site-specific, AS 3745-2010 compliant evacuation diagrams for Perth businesses of all sizes, and provides a complimentary review of existing diagrams to identify non-compliance issues before they become a problem.