| Fire safety signs are an important tool to help | | | | readable even by people who are confused and |
| people know what to do in the event of a fire. | | | | stressed, if they're going to do their job properly. |
| They're also required by law to be posted in | | | | Make sure that signs are large enough to easily |
| some locations. If you own a business, or other | | | | be understood and seen. However, a sign that |
| publicly accessible building, you may have to | | | | luminesces is easier to see than one which does |
| provide fire safety signs. Signs are required to be | | | | not. Thus, a smaller photoluminescent sign can be |
| used where appropriate to help people identify | | | | used where a larger standard one would be |
| possible escape routes. They also help emergency | | | | required. Nonluminescent signs which are to be |
| equipment be found and help point out | | | | viewed at a distance of up to twenty metres |
| emergency fire phones. These signs are required | | | | must be at least two hundred by six hundred |
| under the Heath and Safety (Safety Signs and | | | | mm. A luminescent sign, viewed at a similar |
| Signals) Regulations of 1996. Any fire safety signs | | | | distance, would need to be only three hundred |
| that you purchase and post must comply with | | | | forty by one hundred twenty mm. |
| these regulations. | | | | Signs must also be located prominently, in the |
| Many fire safety signs are made of | | | | normal field of vision. They should take |
| photoluminescent materials. That allows them to | | | | precedence over all other signs in the area, with |
| be read both in the light and in the dark, since | | | | no need to compete for visual precedence. |
| they absorb energy during the day and glow | | | | Guidelines have been established for heights at |
| when light is not available. There are multiple sign | | | | which fire safety signs should be fixed. For |
| types which are legal for use, which causes | | | | instance, over doors, and in open spaces, a sign |
| confusion in some people. You may use either the | | | | should be at least two to two and a half metres |
| EEC standard sign or the British Standard sign | | | | up. When fixed on the wall, a sign should be 1.7 to |
| when pointing out exits, firefighting equipment, or | | | | two metres up, and in large open spaces, the |
| telephones. | | | | height may vary. |
| Other sign types exist. If you have them in your | | | | If you have any questions or concerns about the |
| building already, make sure that they are clear | | | | use of fire safety signs, contact your local |
| and readable, have obvious and easy to | | | | enforcing authority (most likely the fire authority). |
| understand pictograms, and are accompanied by | | | | If you have existing fire safety signs, and they |
| the right text. It's important to make sure that all | | | | are already in compliance with current regulations, |
| signage in a single building or on a single property | | | | you shouldn't have to make any changes. Some |
| is the same, also. Don't mix sign types. If you're in | | | | signs that complied with different regulations, in |
| doubt over a standard to choose, the British | | | | order to obtain a fire certificate for instance, will |
| Standard version is recommended, since it's most | | | | also work, because the same basic sign pattern is |
| widely recognized and understood. | | | | followed, even if details are different. |
| Escape route signs should be accompanied by | | | | Posting fire safety signs in the correct locations |
| supplementary text to make sure that it's easily | | | | (stairwells, work areas, offices, hallways, and near |
| understandable. Fire exit routes should be clearly | | | | any exit) is an import safety step, as well as a |
| indicated by arrows pointing in the correct | | | | legal requirement in the UK. Make sure that your |
| direction, as well as the right types of text. If you | | | | building is in compliance with regulations by |
| are indicating that an exit is for emergency use | | | | checking your signage. Remember, if you have |
| only, be sure to use a special sign for this, rather | | | | any questions, contact a fire official to find out |
| than a fire exit sign combined with a staff only or | | | | what you should do. The right signage could mean |
| "private" sign, which may cause confusion in the | | | | a lot in an emergency. |
| event of a fire. Fire safety signs must be clearly | | | | |