What Is the Difference Between an Evacuation Diagram and an Emergency Plan?
Many Perth business owners use the terms "evacuation diagram" and "emergency plan" interchangeably, but they are two distinct documents with different purposes, different content requirements, and different display and distribution obligations. Understanding the difference is essential for meeting your compliance obligations under AS 3745-2010 and Western Australian safety legislation.
The Evacuation Diagram: A Visual Tool for Occupants
An evacuation diagram is a visual floor plan displayed on the walls of your facility. Its primary audience is building occupants — staff, visitors, contractors, and anyone else who may be in the building during an emergency. Its purpose is to provide immediate, at-a-glance information about:
- Where the person is currently located (the 'You Are Here' marker)
- The nearest emergency exits and evacuation routes
- The designated assembly area
- The location of fire safety and first aid equipment
- Emergency contact numbers
An evacuation diagram is a reactive tool — it is designed to be consulted during an emergency, when occupants need to quickly identify their evacuation route. It must be simple, clear, and immediately understandable by someone who has never seen it before.
The Emergency Plan: A Comprehensive Management Document
An emergency plan (also called an Emergency Response Plan or ERP) is a comprehensive written document that covers all aspects of your organisation's emergency preparedness and response. Its primary audience is the Emergency Planning Committee (EPC), wardens, and management — the people responsible for planning and coordinating the emergency response.
An emergency plan typically includes:
Emergency Planning Committee (EPC) structure:
- Names and contact details of EPC members
- Roles and responsibilities of each EPC member
- Meeting frequency and documentation requirements
Warden structure and responsibilities:
- Chief Warden and Deputy Chief Warden details
- Area Warden assignments and zone maps
- Warden training requirements and records
Emergency procedures for each type of emergency:
- Fire
- Medical emergency
- Bomb threat
- Hazardous materials incident
- Natural disaster
- Active threat
Communication protocols:
- How to raise the alarm
- How to contact emergency services
- How wardens communicate with each other and with the Chief Warden
- How to communicate with occupants who require assistance
Assembly area management:
- Location of assembly areas
- How occupants will be accounted for at the assembly area
- Procedures for occupants who are unaccounted for
Post-incident procedures:
- Incident reporting and documentation
- Debrief process
- Review and update of the emergency plan following an incident or exercise
Persons Requiring Assistance (PRA) register:
- Identification of occupants who may require assistance to evacuate
- Individual evacuation plans for each PRA
How They Work Together
The evacuation diagram and the emergency plan are complementary documents that work together to support a safe and effective emergency response. The relationship between them can be summarised as follows:
| Aspect | Evacuation Diagram | Emergency Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Visual floor plan | Written document |
| Primary audience | All occupants | Wardens and management |
| Purpose | Immediate evacuation guidance | Comprehensive emergency management |
| Display/distribution | Displayed on walls throughout facility | Held by EPC members and wardens |
| Review frequency | At least every 5 years (or when changes occur) | At least annually |
| Required by | AS 3745-2010, Regulation 3.10 | AS 3745-2010 |
The evacuation diagram should be consistent with and referenced in the emergency plan. The assembly areas shown on the diagram should match those described in the emergency plan. The warden zones shown on the diagram should correspond to the warden structure described in the plan.
Common Misconceptions
"Our evacuation diagram is our emergency plan." This is incorrect. An evacuation diagram is a single component of a comprehensive emergency management system. It cannot substitute for a full emergency plan.
"We have an emergency plan, so we don't need evacuation diagrams." Also incorrect. The emergency plan and evacuation diagrams serve different purposes and are both required. An emergency plan that is not supported by displayed evacuation diagrams does not meet the requirements of AS 3745-2010 or Regulation 3.10.
"Our emergency plan is just the evacuation diagram with some extra text." A genuine emergency plan is a substantially more detailed document than an evacuation diagram. It should address all types of emergencies, not just fire, and should provide detailed guidance for wardens on how to manage each type of emergency.
What Ready Set Rescue WA Provides
Ready Set Rescue WA provides both evacuation diagram services and emergency planning support for Perth workplaces. Our evacuation diagram service produces AS 3745-2010 compliant diagrams for display throughout your facility. Our emergency planning service can assist with the development or review of your Emergency Response Plan, warden structure, and emergency procedures.
If you are unsure whether your current documentation meets the requirements of AS 3745-2010, contact us for a complimentary review.
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