Where to Place an AED: Coverage, Distance & Placement Guidelines

Buying an automated external defibrillator (AED) is only half the job. Where you put it determines whether it can actually save a life. Survival from sudden cardiac arrest falls 7–10% for every minute without defibrillation, and most EMS crews cannot arrive inside the critical three-to-five-minute window. Good placement is what lets a bystander grab the device and return before it is too late. Here is how to decide where to place an AED.

The guiding rule: a three-minute round trip

The American Heart Association advises positioning AEDs so a responder can retrieve one and return to the victim in about three minutes or less — roughly a 60- to 90-second walk in each direction. If any part of your facility is farther than that from the nearest device, you need another unit. Think in terms of coverage zones, not just one central location.

Best locations by facility type

• Offices and commercial buildings: near the main lobby or reception, by elevators and stairwells, and on each floor of multi-story buildings.
• Schools and universities: gymnasiums, athletic fields, the main office, the nurse’s station, cafeterias, and auditoriums.
• Gyms and fitness centers: the main floor near staff, by the front desk, and close to pools or high-exertion areas.
• Retail, hospitality, and public venues: central, visible spots near customer service or security.
• Industrial sites: break rooms, near first-aid stations, and anywhere far from quick EMS access.

Make it visible and reachable

An AED that nobody can find is no help at all. Mount units in clearly signed wall cabinets at an accessible height, in unlocked, always-accessible areas — never behind a locked office door or in a supervisor-only room. If you use an alarmed cabinet for theft protection, ensure staff know it still opens freely in an emergency.

Account for the environment

Pads and batteries are sensitive to temperature extremes. For outdoor fields, parking structures, or unconditioned spaces, use a temperature-regulated outdoor cabinet so the device stays rescue-ready. Protect portable units used at events with a proper carry case.

Plan coverage, then map it

For larger or multi-building sites, walk the floor plan and mark each AED’s coverage radius. Document locations in your emergency action plan, post them on facility maps, and where required, register each device with your local EMS agency. Train staff so they know exactly where the nearest unit is before an emergency happens.

Frequently asked questions

How close should an AED be?

Close enough that a responder can retrieve it and return within about three minutes — roughly a 60- to 90-second walk each way. Add units until your entire facility is covered.

Where should AEDs be placed in an office?

Near the main entrance or reception, by elevators and stairwells, and on every floor of a multi-story building.

Should an AED be kept in a locked cabinet?

It should remain freely accessible. Alarmed cabinets can deter theft, but the device must open immediately in an emergency without a key or code.