By name: as-3745 description: "Technical reference for AS 3745—2010 (Planning for emergencies in facilities). Use this skill when the user asks about emergency planning, emergency control organisations (ECO), evacuation procedures, warden roles, emergency exercises, fire/bomb/chemical emergency response procedures, or when an action skill needs to verify or cite specific clauses of AS 3745—2010."
AS 3745—2010 — Planning for Emergencies in Facilities
Purpose
This standard outlines the minimum requirements for the establishment, validation and implementation of emergency plans for facilities. It applies to buildings, structures or workplaces occupied by people (with the exception of Class 1a buildings under the Building Code of Australia, unless used as a workplace). The standard covers:
- Formation, purpose, responsibility and training of the emergency planning committee (EPC)
- Emergency identification and analysis
- Development of emergency plans
- Development of emergency response procedures
- Establishment, authority and training of emergency control organisations (ECO)
- Testing and validation of emergency response procedures
- Emergency-related training
- Review and routine servicing of plans
This standard is concerned exclusively with human/life safety aspects of emergencies within facilities.
Critical Rules
- Only cite clauses that appear in the section files below — never fabricate or assume clause content.
- Use conservative, factual language — describe requirements without emotive terms.
- Use Australian English spelling throughout all responses.
- Distinguish requirement types — identify mandatory ("shall"), recommendations ("should"), and permissions ("may").
- This is an Australian Standard, not legislation — frame advice according to REGULATORY-CONTEXT.md guidance (Category 4 — Advisory/Best Practice).
- Flag missing content — some content (especially figures and diagrams) could not be fully extracted from the Word document. If a clause references a figure not in the section file, note this limitation explicitly.
- Never guess clause content — if a clause cannot be located in any section file, state this explicitly.
- Always cite clause numbers when referencing requirements (e.g. "Clause 5.6.3 requires...").
- Cross-reference REGULATORY-CONTEXT.md when framing compliance advice to correctly represent the standard's legal standing.
Section Index
| File | Section | Key Clauses | When to Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| section-01-scope-and-general.md | Section 1 — Scope and General | 1.1–1.5 | Determining applicability; understanding definitions and abbreviations |
| section-02-emergency-planning-committee.md | Section 2 — Emergency Planning Committee | 2.1–2.5 | Understanding EPC formation, responsibilities, membership, meetings, and indemnity |
| section-03-emergency-plan.md | Section 3 — Emergency Plan | 3.1–3.7 | Developing, structuring, and maintaining the emergency plan |
| section-04-emergency-response-procedures.md | Section 4 — Emergency Response Procedures | 4.1–4.3 | Response procedures for fire, bomb threat, and other emergencies |
| section-05-emergency-control-organization.md | Section 5 — Emergency Control Organization (ECO) | 5.1–5.7 | ECO establishment, roles, authority, training, and indemnity |
| section-06-training.md | Section 6 — Training | 6.1–6.4 | Training requirements for occupants, ECO personnel, and wardens |
| section-07-emergency-response-exercises.md | Section 7 — Emergency Response Exercises | 7.1–7.3 | Emergency exercise planning, conduct, and evaluation |
| section-08-review-and-routine-servicing.md | Section 8 — Review and Routine Servicing | 8.1–8.2 | Plan maintenance, communication system checks, and amendment procedures |
Appendix Index
| File | Appendix | Content | Type | When to Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| appendix-a-fire-and-smoke.md | Appendix A — Fire and Smoke | Basic guidance on planning and response for fire and smoke emergencies | Informative | When developing procedures for fire/smoke response; planning fire safety measures |
| appendix-b-bomb-threat.md | Appendix B — Bomb Threat | Guidance on planning and response for bomb threats, including threat assessment and response procedures | Informative | When developing procedures for bomb threat response; understanding threat identification |
| appendix-c-civil-disorder.md | Appendix C — Civil Disorder and Illegal Occupancy | Guidance on planning and response for civil disorder and illegal occupancy situations | Informative | When developing procedures for civil disturbance response; planning for security-related emergencies |
| appendix-d-peep.md | Appendix D — Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) | Example of a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan for occupants with disabilities | Informative | When developing PEEPs for occupants with disabilities; understanding PEEP requirements |
| appendix-e-evacuation-diagrams.md | Appendix E — Evacuation Diagrams | Example evacuation diagrams and symbols for emergency plans | Informative | When preparing evacuation diagrams; understanding diagram conventions and symbols |
| appendix-f-eco-numbers.md | Appendix F — Determining ECO Numbers | Guidance on determining appropriate size of emergency control organisation | Informative | When sizing the ECO; understanding wardens and personnel requirements |
| appendix-g-observers-checklist.md | Appendix G — Observers' Checklist | Example of an emergency evacuation exercise observers' checklist | Informative | When conducting emergency response exercises; evaluating exercise effectiveness |
| appendix-h-phone-threat-checklist.md | Appendix H — Phone Threat and Bomb Threat Checklist | Example phone threat and bomb threat checklist | Informative | When responding to phone or bomb threats; documenting threat information |
Regulatory Standing
AS 3745—2010 is a Category 4 advisory standard under the REGULATORY-CONTEXT.md framework. It is not legislation; rather, it provides a framework and best-practice guidance for emergency planning in facilities. The standard helps organisations meet their obligations under relevant WHS, building code, and emergency management legislation by providing detailed, prescriptive guidance on how to develop and implement effective emergency plans.
Organisations may be required by legislation (such as WHS laws or building codes) to have an emergency plan, but the specific approach adopted should be tailored to the facility's circumstances. This standard provides practical, detailed guidance to assist in developing compliant and effective plans.
Workflow
- Identify the query subject — emergency planning, ECO, evacuation procedures, training, exercises, specific emergency types (fire, bomb threat, etc.).
- Read the relevant section file(s) from the index above.
- Cite clauses accurately with clause numbers (e.g., "Clause 3.2.1 states...").
- Cross-reference appendices where practical guidance is needed (especially for specific emergency types).
- Frame advice according to REGULATORY-CONTEXT.md — explain the standard's advisory nature and how it relates to legislative requirements.
- Flag limitations — note where extracted content is incomplete or where diagrams/figures are referenced but not shown.
Common Query Routing
| Query Type | Primary Section(s) | Key Clauses |
|---|---|---|
| "Do we need an emergency plan?" or scope/applicability | Section 1 | 1.1, 1.2 |
| "Who should be on the emergency planning committee?" | Section 2 | 2.1–2.5 |
| "What should the emergency plan contain?" | Section 3 | 3.1–3.7 |
| "How should we respond to a fire/bomb threat/civil disorder?" | Sections 4, Appendices A–C | 4.1–4.3, Appendices A–C |
| "What are the roles and responsibilities of the ECO?" | Section 5 | 5.1–5.7 |
| "How many wardens do we need?" | Section 5, Appendix F | 5.4, Appendix F |
| "What training is required?" | Section 6 | 6.1–6.4 |
| "How do we conduct an emergency exercise?" | Section 7 | 7.1–7.3 |
| "How often should we review the plan?" | Section 8 | 8.1–8.2 |
| "What is a PEEP and when is it needed?" | Section 3, Appendix D | 3.3.4, 3.5.5, Appendix D |
Version Information
- Standard: AS 3745—2010 (Incorporating Amendment Nos 1 and 2)
- Published: 25 November 2010
- Amendments: Amendment No. 1 (May 2014); Amendment No. 2 (June 2018)
- Source: Word document extraction
- Extraction date: 6 March 2026
Notes on Content
- All clause numbers are preserved exactly as they appear in the standard.
- All tables and structured content have been extracted verbatim.
- Some diagrams and figures referenced in the standard could not be fully extracted from the Word document (refer to limitations flagged in individual section files).
- All definitions from Clause 1.4 are included in Section 1.
- This standard references related Australian Standards and Handbooks (see Clause 1.1 notes for full list).