Where Must Evacuation Diagrams Be Displayed? AS 3745-2010 Placement Requirements
Having a compliant evacuation diagram is only half the equation. Where you display it — and how — is equally important under Australian Standard AS 3745-2010. Many Perth workplaces have diagrams that meet the content requirements but fail on placement, orientation, or physical condition. This guide covers everything you need to know about correctly displaying evacuation diagrams in your facility.
The Core Placement Requirement
AS 3745-2010 requires that evacuation diagrams be displayed in prominent locations throughout the facility, with particular emphasis on:
- Near emergency exits and fire exit doors
- In common areas such as reception areas, foyers, and break rooms
- In corridors and hallways
- Near lifts and stairwells
- In any area where occupants regularly gather or work
The guiding principle is that any occupant should be able to quickly locate a displayed evacuation diagram without having to search for it. In an emergency, seconds matter — diagrams that are hard to find or hidden behind furniture defeat their purpose entirely.
Height Requirements: The 1200–1600mm Rule
One of the most specific requirements in AS 3745-2010 relates to the height at which diagrams must be displayed. The standard requires that evacuation diagrams be positioned:
- Not less than 1200mm above the plane of the finished floor
- Not more than 1600mm above the plane of the finished floor
This height range corresponds approximately to eye level for an average adult standing upright. The rationale is that diagrams displayed at this height are easily readable without requiring occupants to crouch down or look up at an awkward angle.
In practice, this means the centre of the diagram (or the 'You Are Here' marker specifically) should be positioned within this height range. Many facilities display diagrams with the bottom edge at 1200mm, which places the centre of a standard A3 diagram at approximately 1350mm — well within the required range.
Orientation: The 'You Are Here' Rule
One of the most commonly misunderstood requirements is the orientation rule. AS 3745-2010 requires that evacuation diagrams be oriented so that 'up' on the diagram corresponds to the direction the viewer is facing when standing at the location where the diagram is displayed.
This means that the same floor plan may need to be printed in different orientations for different display locations within the same building. A diagram displayed near the north exit should be oriented with north at the top; a diagram displayed near the south exit should be oriented with south at the top.
The 'You Are Here' marker must also be positioned on the diagram to accurately reflect the viewer's location relative to the rest of the floor plan. A diagram that has been moved from its original location — or that was never correctly oriented in the first place — can actively mislead occupants during an emergency.
How Many Diagrams Does Your Workplace Need?
AS 3745-2010 does not specify a precise ratio of diagrams to floor area. Instead, it requires that diagrams be displayed in sufficient locations to ensure that all occupants have reasonable access to a diagram. In practice, this means:
Single-level facilities: At minimum, one diagram per major area or zone. For small offices or retail premises, one diagram near the main exit may be sufficient. For larger floor plates, multiple diagrams are required to ensure all occupants are within a reasonable distance of a displayed diagram.
Multi-level buildings: A separate diagram is required for each level. Each level's diagram must show the floor plan of that specific level, not a generic building overview.
Large or complex buildings: Additional diagrams may be required in areas that are physically separated from the main circulation areas, such as basement car parks, plant rooms, or remote wings of a building.
| Building Type | Minimum Number of Diagrams |
|---|---|
| Small office (single level, <200m²) | 1–2 |
| Medium office (single level, 200–1000m²) | 2–4 |
| Large office or retail (single level, >1000m²) | 4+ (one per zone) |
| Multi-storey building | One per level minimum |
| Warehouse with multiple zones | One per zone |
| School or childcare centre | One per room/area |
Physical Condition and Protection
AS 3745-2010 also addresses the physical condition of displayed diagrams. Diagrams must be:
- Protected from damage — typically by laminating the diagram or displaying it behind a perspex cover in a frame
- Not obstructed by furniture, equipment, plants, or other signage
- Clearly readable — faded, damaged, or dirty diagrams do not meet the standard
- Sufficient size — A3 (297mm × 420mm) is the generally accepted minimum size for readability
Regular inspection of the physical condition of displayed diagrams should be part of your facility's routine safety checks. A diagram that was compliant when first installed can become non-compliant if it is damaged, obscured, or if the surrounding environment changes.
Common Placement Mistakes in Perth Workplaces
In our experience auditing Perth workplaces, the most common placement issues include:
Diagrams displayed too high or too low: Many facilities display diagrams at whatever height is convenient for the frame or mounting point, without checking the 1200–1600mm requirement. This is easily remedied but frequently overlooked.
Incorrect orientation: Diagrams that are displayed without considering the viewer's facing direction are one of the most common compliance issues. A diagram that is correctly oriented for one display location may be completely wrong if moved to another location.
Insufficient number of diagrams: Particularly in larger facilities, there are often areas where occupants would need to walk a significant distance to reach a displayed diagram. This is particularly problematic in warehouses and industrial facilities with large floor plates.
Diagrams obscured by furniture or equipment: Diagrams displayed in corridors or near exits are sometimes obscured by furniture that has been moved, equipment that has been installed nearby, or other signage that has been added after the diagram was installed.
Diagrams in poor physical condition: Diagrams that are faded, damaged, or dirty cannot serve their purpose. Regular inspection and replacement when necessary is essential.
Getting Placement Right
Correct placement of evacuation diagrams requires an understanding of both the AS 3745-2010 requirements and the specific layout of your facility. Ready Set Rescue WA provides a complete service that includes not just the design of compliant diagrams but also advice on placement locations, orientation for each display point, and installation services across the Perth metro area.
If you are unsure whether your current diagrams are correctly placed, we offer a complimentary placement review as part of our evacuation diagram service.
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