Every answer below is grounded in Australian Standard AS 3745-2010 and current WA workplace legislation.
If you have a question that is not covered here, contact Craig and the team directly.
An evacuation diagram is defined in AS 3745-2010 as emergency and evacuation information about a facility, comprising a pictorial representation of a floor or area and other relevant emergency response information. In plain terms it is a You Are Here map showing occupants and visitors the safest exits, assembly areas and locations of fire safety equipment during an emergency. It must be displayed in all facilities in accordance with the requirements of the standard.
Yes. AS 3745-2010 applies to all buildings, structures or workplaces occupied by people. The only exception is a Class 1a building — a single private dwelling — and only then if it is not also used as a workplace. There is no exemption based on the size of your premises. If people come onto your site, whether staff, clients, students or visitors, you need compliant evacuation diagrams.
Clause 3.5.5 of AS 3745-2010 lists the minimum elements that must be included in every evacuation diagram. These are:
The title “EVACUATION DIAGRAM”, a pictorial representation of the floor or area of at least 200mm x 150mm, the “YOU ARE HERE” location, designated exits shown in green, communications equipment where installed including warden intercommunication points in red, manual call points in red, emergency call points in white or with a black border, and main controls and panels for occupant warning equipment. Also required are hose reels in red, hydrants in red, extinguishers in red with an additional appropriate colour as specified in AS/NZS 1841.1, fire blankets in red, the fire indicator panel if provided, refuges if present, a validity date, the location of assembly areas either stated in words or shown pictorially, and a legend reflecting the symbols used.
In addition the facility name, address, postcode and the location or name of the access street must be included to assist emergency services in locating and accessing the facility.
Under Clause 3.5.2 of AS 3745-2010, evacuation diagrams must be displayed in locations where occupants and visitors are able to view them. The number and specific location within the facility is determined by the Emergency Planning Committee. Clause 3.5.3 specifies that diagrams should be positioned at a height of not less than 1,200mm and not more than 1,600mm above the plane of the finished floor.
Importantly, Clause 3.5.2 also states that evacuation diagrams should not be fitted to fire doors, smoke doors or other fire resistant elements of construction unless this has been tested or a formal opinion has been obtained from an appropriate authority.
Clause 3.5.7 of AS 3745-2010 sets the minimum size at A4, being 210mm x 297mm. If any additional optional information is included beyond the minimum elements, the minimum size of the overall diagram increases to A3, being 297mm x 420mm, though the pictorial floor plan within it must still be at least A4 in size.
Clause 2.2(d) of AS 3745-2010 states that the validity period nominated by the Emergency Planning Committee should not exceed five years, but may be less depending on the requirements of a maintenance cycle, a major change to the facility or an accreditation regime. Diagrams should also be updated immediately following any change to the building layout, relocation of fire equipment or exits, or any other change that affects the accuracy of the diagram.
Under the Work Health and Safety General Regulations 2022 in WA and the OSH Regulations 1996, failure to maintain compliant evacuation diagrams can result in improvement notices or fines from WorkSafe WA. Beyond the regulatory consequences, non-compliant or missing diagrams slow evacuation in a real emergency and increase the risk of injury or worse to the people in your building. Your organisation also carries increased legal liability if an incident occurs and diagrams are found to be inadequate.
Clause 2.1 of AS 3745-2010 requires that an Emergency Planning Committee be formed for each facility by the person or persons responsible for the facility or its occupants. The EPC must consist of not less than two people who are representative of the stakeholders in the facility, with at least one member of management, unless the facility is owned and operated by a single person. The EPC is responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of the emergency plan, including the evacuation diagrams.
The Emergency Control Organisation, or ECO, is appointed by the Emergency Planning Committee and consists of the people who direct and control the implementation of the facility’s emergency response procedures during an emergency. The ECO typically includes a chief warden, deputy chief warden, communications officer, floor or area wardens and wardens. Life safety takes precedence over asset protection during an emergency.
Section 6 of AS 3745-2010 sets out three distinct categories of training that must be provided:
Emergency Planning Committee training covers the development, management and maintenance of the emergency plan, establishing and managing the ECO, conducting emergency identification and analysis, and liaison with Emergency Services.
Emergency Control Organisation training must be provided to all ECO members including nominated deputies. It covers the duties of the ECO, procedures for specific emergencies, responding to alarms, communication during emergencies, pre-emergency and post-emergency activities, and the use of installed emergency response equipment. ECO members must attend skills retention activities at intervals of not greater than six months.
Occupant training must be provided to all occupants working at the facility, covering their responsibilities under the emergency response procedures, how to report emergencies, evacuation procedures and the location of exits and assembly areas. Occupants should participate in skills retention activities at intervals not greater than twelve months.
It is important to note that the roles of fire wardens and first aid officers are separate and distinct under the standard. CMG provides the following training services for WA organisations:
CMG Fire and Safety Services provides evacuation diagram design and supply, fire alarm block plans, EWIS block plans, fire sprinkler block plans, fire hydrant block plans, emergency management planning and WHS compliance services to organisations across Perth and WA. We service schools and education facilities, strata and commercial buildings, shopping centres, aged care facilities, government buildings, healthcare organisations and industrial sites.
It is simpler than most organisations expect. You provide us with your floor plans and some basic information about your facility. We design your compliant evacuation diagrams in accordance with AS 3745-2010, walk you through the draft for your review and approval, and supply the finished diagrams ready for installation. For more complex facilities we can arrange an on-site visit to verify exit routes, equipment locations and signage placement. All content is reviewed and approved by you before anything is produced or installed.
Contact CMG for a no-obligation consultation. We will assess your existing diagrams against the current requirements of AS 3745-2010 and WA workplace regulations and tell you exactly where you stand. Most organisations find it more straightforward and more affordable than they expected. diagrams in accordance with AS 3745-2010, walk you through the draft for your review and approval, and supply the finished diagrams ready for installation. For more complex facilities we can arrange an on-site visit to verify exit routes, equipment locations and signage placement. All content is reviewed and approved by you before anything is produced or installed.
Contact the CMG team and we will ask a few straightforward questions about your facility and provide a clear, competitive quote with no obligation.
📞 1300 355 686
