Supporting Safety in a Large Industrial Environment

Manufacturing and processing facilities present distinct evacuation challenges. Occupants may be spread across production areas, amenities, plant rooms, warehouse or dispatch spaces and external circulation zones. Noise, shift work and site-specific hazards can also affect how emergency information needs to be communicated.

To support this project, EBC Group undertook a detailed review of the site layout and emergency information requirements. The objective was to ensure each diagram accurately reflected the real-world conditions of the facility and could be clearly understood by staff, contractors and visitors.

Supporting Emergency Preparedness in a Busy Hotel Environment

Hotels present unique challenges for evacuation planning. Unlike office or industrial buildings, occupants are constantly changing, and many people on site may have little or no familiarity with the layout. In a building like Stamford Plaza Melbourne, emergency information needs to be instantly understandable and strategically positioned so it can support calm, informed movement toward exits if an incident occurs.

To support this outcome, EBC Group undertook a detailed review of the building’s layout, circulation paths and emergency information requirements. Our process considered guest accommodation areas, shared corridors, lift lobbies, public spaces, function and conference areas, and other high-traffic zones throughout the property.

Supporting Compliance in a High-Rise Residential Tower

Large residential towers like Australia 108 present unique compliance challenges. With multiple essential safety systems, shared common areas, and a high occupancy rate, building managers must ensure that every safety measure is correctly maintained and documented in accordance with Victorian building regulations.

EBC Group’s role was to conduct a thorough review of the building’s essential safety measures and associated documentation, ensuring the property management team had the information they needed to meet their obligations under the Building Regulations 2018 (VIC).

Our work focused on three key areas:

• Preparation and review of the Annual Essential Safety Measures Report (AESMR)
• Inspection and documentation of essential safety services
• A detailed building compliance audit to identify potential compliance gaps

This structured approach allows building owners and managers to clearly understand their compliance responsibilities and ensure systems designed to protect occupants are operating as intended.

Annual Essential Safety Measures Report (AESMR)

The AESMR is a critical document for any commercial or residential building in Victoria. It confirms that all nominated essential safety measures within the building have been inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with the relevant standards. For the Australia 108 Apartments, EBC Group reviewed the building’s essential safety systems and supporting records to verify that inspection, testing, and maintenance activities were being carried out appropriately.

Our team carefully assessed documentation relating to systems such as:

• Fire detection and alarm systems
• Fire hydrants and hose reels
• Emergency lighting and exit signage
• Fire doors and passive fire elements
• Mechanical ventilation and smoke control systems
• Paths of travel to exits

Where required, we worked with the building management team to ensure records were complete and aligned with the requirements of the AESMR process. This ensures that the final report provides an accurate reflection of the building’s compliance status.

Supporting Safety in a High-Traffic Retail Environment

IKEA Springvale is one of Melbourne’s most well-known retail destinations. The store spans multiple levels and features a distinctive customer journey layout, guiding visitors through showrooms, marketplaces, food areas, and warehouse spaces before reaching the checkout.

While this layout is great for showcasing products, it also means evacuation planning must be carefully considered. In an emergency, occupants need to quickly understand where they are, which direction to move, and how to reach a safe exit point. To support these requirements, EBC Group carried out a detailed assessment of the site and produced a set of clear, compliant evacuation diagrams tailored specifically to the layout of the building.

Detailed Site Assessment and Diagram Development

Before any diagrams are produced, our team undertakes a careful review of the building to ensure the final documentation reflects the real conditions occupants will experience during an emergency. For the IKEA Springvale project, this involved:

• Reviewing building layouts and existing safety documentation
• Conducting site inspections to verify evacuation routes and exits
• Identifying the locations of fire safety equipment and essential safety measures
• Confirming assembly areas and evacuation paths
• Ensuring all diagrams align with AS 3745–2010 emergency planning standards

Large retail facilities often contain multiple entry points, storage areas, restricted access zones, and public circulation spaces. Our role is to translate that complexity into simple, easy-to-read diagrams that can be quickly understood by anyone inside the building.

Supporting Safety Across a Large Educational Campus

Schools present a unique environment when it comes to emergency planning. Large numbers of students, staff, and visitors move between classrooms, administration areas, halls, and sporting facilities throughout the day. In the event of an emergency, clear guidance must be available so occupants can quickly understand evacuation routes and assembly points.

For St Patrick’s College, the project required careful consideration of the layout and function of each building across the campus. The EBC Group team conducted a detailed site assessment to review existing safety documentation, verify floor layouts, and confirm all required emergency information.

From this process, we developed evacuation diagrams tailored to each relevant area of the school, ensuring they accurately reflected the building configuration and emergency procedures.

Accurate, Compliant Evacuation Diagrams

Evacuation diagrams must meet strict Australian requirements to ensure they provide clear and reliable information during an emergency. Our diagrams for St Patrick’s College were developed in accordance with AS 3745 – Planning for Emergencies in Facilities, which outlines the standard for emergency procedures and evacuation information in Australian buildings.

Each evacuation diagram prepared for the college includes key information such as:

• Clearly marked evacuation routes and exits
• The “You Are Here” location indicator
• Fire safety equipment locations
• Assembly areas
• Relevant emergency instructions and procedures
• A clear and easy-to-read layout designed for quick understanding

These diagrams were carefully designed so that staff, students, and visitors can quickly interpret them if an emergency occurs.

Tailored Evacuation Plans for Manufacturing Facilities

At Chobani Australia, our evacuation diagrams were customised to account for the unique architectural layout of a large-scale food manufacturing environment. Industrial sites present specific risks—including heavy machinery, restricted zones, and high-occupancy production floors—that require more than just a generic safety plan.

Our diagrams are fully aligned with AS 3745-2010 (Planning for emergencies in facilities) and local Victorian regulations. We ensure that:

• Primary and secondary egress paths are clearly identified.

• Fire fighting equipment (extinguishers, hose reels, and blankets) is accurately mapped.

• Emergency Assembly Areas are strategically located for rapid headcounts.

• Manual Call Points (MCP) and emergency communication systems are highly visible.

By integrating these elements, we guarantee optimal safety measures that facilitate a quick, efficient, and calm evacuation process.

Fire Safety Solutions for Retail Locations

At Coles Truganina, EBC Group’s evacuation diagrams were meticulously tailored to the complex layout and high-traffic needs of the supermarket building. Our strategic placement and design ensure optimal safety measures are visible from every point in the facility.

Our work aligns strictly with AS 3745-2010 (Planning for emergencies in facilities) and local building codes. This guarantees that all:

• Emergency exit pathways

• Fire hydrant and extinguisher locations

• Manual Call Points (MCP)

• Designated Assembly Areas

Are clearly marked and effective for rapid response. For retail environments, having current and compliant diagrams is not just about ticking a box; it is about risk mitigation and expert safety management.