Fire Safety Signs

In simple premises, a few fire safety signs indicating the alternative exit(s) might be all that is needed. In more complex premises, a series of signs directing people along the escape routes towards the final exit may be required.

Many people with poor vision retain some sight and are able to recognise changing or contrasting colour to provide them with visual clues when moving around a building. It may be sufficient to paint any columns and walls in a contrasting colour and to highlight changes in level by, for example, making the nosing to step and stair treads a contrasting colour. For people with no sight, a well-managed ‘buddy system’, continuous handrails, a sound localisation system (which helps people to move towards an alert sound) or the installation of more tactile aids may be appropriate.

Exit signs should be clearly visible whenever the public, staff and contractors are present.

A number of other mandatory signs such as ‘Fire action’ notices may also be necessary. Fire doors that have been fitted with self closing devices should be labelled ‘Fire door – keep shut’  on both sides. Fire resisting doors to cupboards, stores and service ducts that are not self-closing because they are routinely kept locked should be labelled ‘Fire door – keep locked’ on the outside.

Signs should indicate non-automatic fire safety equipment if there is any doubt about its location,e.g. fire extinguishers that are kept in cabinets or in recesses.A notice with the words ‘Push bar to open’ should be permanently displayed immediately above the push-bar on all doors fitted with a panic bolt or panic latch.A notice with the words ‘Fire escape – keep clear’ should be permanently displayed at about eye level on the external face of all doors which are provided as a means of escape in case of fire and which, because they are not normally used, may become obstructed.

Staff notices

In simple premises where there are a limited number of escape routes, it may be reasonable to provide staff with verbal reminders of what they need to do if there is a fire. In some premises, you could consider providing a short written statement that could, for example, be delivered with staff pay slips every six months.In multi-occupied, larger and more complex premises or where there is a high turnover of staff, a more considered approach for staff notices and instructions will be necessary. As well as positioning the fire instructions notice on escape routes adjacent to fire break-glass call points, put them where staff frequently assemble in the premises, e.g. the canteen and locker rooms.

If your premises are routinely expected to accommodate people whose first language is not English you may need to consider providing instructions in more than one language. The interpretation should always convey an identical message.Illumination All signs and notices will need illumination to ensure they are conspicuous and legible.

There are a number of options available to achieve this, such as external illumination; and internal illumination.The supplier or other competent person can give you further advice.Signs or notices of the photo-luminescent type, i.e. where the active material making up the luminous parts of such signs or notices needs a period of exposure to light before they become visible in darkness (but get fainter with time),are not a substitute for appropriate emergency lighting and should only be used where other forms of illumination are present.