Case Study
Evacuation Diagrams for Fonterra Stanhope (21 Midland Highway)
EBC Group was engaged to prepare evacuation diagrams for Fonterra’s site at 21 Midland Highway in Stanhope. There’s no denying that industrial and manufacturing environments require a particularly disciplined approach to emergency documentation because buildings often contain large floor areas, operational plant, restricted zones, storage areas, vehicle movement paths and a mix of staff, contractors and visitors on site at different times.
For a facility like Fonterra Stanhope, evacuation information needs to do more than satisfy a compliance requirement. It must work in real conditions, providing clear direction quickly and reliably in the event of an emergency. Our role was to assess the site and produce evacuation diagrams that support safe occupant movement while aligning with applicable emergency planning requirements.
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.
Site Assessment & Diagram Development
Before finalising any diagrams, our team reviewed the physical layout of the site and verified the locations of exits, evacuation routes, emergency equipment and assembly areas. This process is essential in industrial environments, where even minor inconsistencies between documentation and the actual building can create confusion during an emergency.
From that assessment, we developed site-specific evacuation diagrams designed to provide immediate visual guidance, including:
- Evacuation routes and direction of travel
- Emergency exits
- The occupant’s current location
- Fire safety equipment locations
- Assembly points and emergency instructions
- Consistent, easy-to-read formatting for rapid interpretation
Our approach focused on clarity, accuracy and practical use. In industrial settings, emergency information must support quick decisions in environments where people may be working under time pressure or moving through specialised operational zones.
Helping Strengthen Emergency Preparedness
Well-designed evacuation diagrams form part of a broader safety and compliance framework. They help reinforce emergency procedures, support inductions and audits, and provide visible guidance throughout the workplace. For a major regional industrial site, that clarity is a practical safety tool as much as a compliance requirement.
Through this project, EBC Group helped Fonterra Stanhope strengthen emergency preparedness by providing evacuation diagrams tailored to the operational realities of the site. The result was a clearer, more reliable source of emergency guidance for occupants across the facility.
Need evacuation diagrams for a manufacturing or industrial facility?
EBC Group delivers evacuation diagrams, block plans and broader compliance support for industrial, logistics, manufacturing, retail and commercial sites across Australia. If your facility requires updated emergency information or wider compliance assistance, our team can provide a practical, site-specific solution.
