Hotel evacuation diagrams for hotels and accommodation

Preparing your hotel for emergencies with clear and accurate hotel evacuation diagrams and safety signs

Evacuation diagrams and safety signs play an important role in ensuring the safety of all visitors, guests and staff in a hotel, motel or other accommodation venue. They provide clear, simple and concise information in a format that enables the reader to quickly determine what they need to do and where they need to go if they need to evacuate their room, or the hotel, in the event of an emergency.

What are the regulations for evacuation diagrams and safety signs in hotels?

In order to comply with fire safety regulations and the strict guidelines set out within Australian Standard for Planning for emergencies in facilities (AS3745-2010), hotels must have:

Minimum elements required in evacuation diagrams for hotels

Under AS3745-2010 evacuation diagrams in hotels must show an accurate but uncomplicated floor plan of the hotel, along with a brief, easily understood description of the emergency procedures to be followed. The Government may issue fines of up to $30,000 for non-compliance.

In addition to being easy-to-read, hotel evacuation diagrams must include the following minimum elements to show the reader:

an “Evacuation Diagram” heading on the sign,
a “You are here” indicator,
the location of fire alarms in relation to the reader’s current position,
the location of safety equipment in relation to the reader’s current position, including fire blankets and fire extinguishers (the type of extinguisher must also be apparent),
the route to the nearest exit,
the location of and route to the designated evacuation assembly point outside the hotel,
a legend that explains the meaning of any symbols in the diagram,
a validity date, and
the name and address of the hotel building.

The evacuation diagram may also show a more detailed site plan that includes other exits and paths from the location to the emergency assembly point.

Requirements for positioning, orientation and size of evacuation diagrams in hotels

The Australian Standard and associated regulations also set out the specific requirements for the positioning, orientation and size of evacuation diagrams. It states that hotel evacuation diagrams must be:

located in common areas, along each evacuation route,
displayed in conspicuous locations where they can be easily viewed,
attached to the door or a wall,
positioned at a height of between 1200mm and 1600mm from floor level,
correctly oriented to the building and the “You are here” indicator on the diagram,
a minimum A4 size, if using only minimum elements, with pictorial size of the floor plan being at least 200mm x 150mm. Where optional elements are also included, the minimum size of the diagram increases to A3, with the pictorial size of the floor plan increasing to at least 200mm x 300mm.

Why do Hotels need evacuation diagrams and safety signs?

Hotels are subject to the same rules for evacuation planning and signage as any other business. However, when you consider that a Hotel has a commercial kitchen, extensive electrical components, outlets and wiring, air conditioning, and elevators, and has a population of a large number of people unfamiliar with the layout, in addition to a multitude of other factors that can exponentially increase the possible safety risks, it becomes clear that there are good reasons why hotels need evacuation and safety signs.

Evacuation diagrams and safety signs:

provide clear directions to exits and safety equipment to people unfamiliar with the building,
help to orient a confused, anxious or panicked person in the event of an emergency,
help to prevent personal injuries or loss of life in emergency situations,
help to prevent or lessen damage to or loss of personal property and buildings.

How can Safety Maps help your Hotel or Motel meet its legal obligations and ensure your staff and guests are prepared for an emergency?

Safety Maps is an industry graphics specialist, supplying high quality, durable and reasonably priced hotel evacuation diagrams and safety signs that adhere to strict Australian standards, meet your business’s needs and won’t break your safety budget. With over 20 years of extensive experience across all industries, we’re one of the premier safety signage providers in Australia.

Servicing Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast of NSW, and all Australian capital cities, Safety Maps has all of your evacuation diagram and safety signage needs covered.

To find out how Safety Maps fulfils all your hotel evacuation diagram or safety signage needs, call us today on (02) 8078 0302, send us an email at ,or fill out our Contact form to have a Safety Maps representative contact you.