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When it comes to safety in the workplace or any type of facility, few documents are as essential as the Evacuation Plan. These plans are not just good practice for health and safety — they’re a legal requirement. All evacuation procedures must comply with AS 3745:2010 – Planning for Emergencies in Facilities, a national standard that outlines the minimum requirements for creating, implementing, and maintaining effective emergency procedures.

But did you know that under AS 3745, your evacuation plan is not something you can “set and forget”? In fact, it has a strict validity period and must be reviewed and updated regularly to remain compliant and effective.

Evacuation Diagrams Have a Fixed Validity

According to AS 3745:2010, all evacuation diagrams must be reviewed and updated at intervals not exceeding five years from their date of creation. This five-year timeframe ensures the diagrams reflect current conditions and remain a reliable reference in an emergency.

Even if your facility hasn’t undergone any noticeable changes, the evacuation diagram still expires after five years. Continuing to display an outdated diagram can place occupants at risk and leave you in breach of regulatory obligations.

Earlier Reviews May Be Required

In some cases, evacuation diagrams may need to be updated before the five-year expiry. AS 3745 recognises that facilities are dynamic environments, and several events can prompt the need for an immediate review. These include:

✅ Renovations or structural alterations
✅ Relocation of key emergency equipment
✅ Additions or extensions to the building
✅ Updated operational procedures

In such situations, the new or revised evacuation diagrams need to be revised. Maintaining updated plans ensures everyone — staff, visitors, and contractors — is informed and protected.

How Design Assist Partners Can Support You

At Design Assist Partners, we offer expert services to help businesses remain compliant with AS 3745 and essential safety measures. We can:

• Review existing evacuation diagrams
• Update and re-issue expired or outdated diagrams
• Create new diagrams if recent site changes have occurred

Whether you’re an existing client or new to our services, we can help ensure your emergency diagrams are up-to-date and fully compliant — even if we weren’t the original creators. Our team of professionals will work with you to deliver clear, accurate, and compliant evacuation plans tailored to your facility.

Final Thoughts

Emergency preparedness is everyone’s responsibility — and keeping your evacuation diagrams current is a key part of any safety audit. If your diagrams are nearing the five-year mark, or your facility has undergone significant changes, now is the time to act.

Don’t wait until an emergency exposes the gaps — ensure your diagrams are valid, accurate, and legally compliant. Contact Design Assist Partners today to schedule a review.