| Fire safety signs are a must for letting people | | | | special exit sign should be used for this rather |
| know what they should do in case there is a fire. | | | | than combining two types of sign which will |
| They are legally required to be posted in some | | | | confuse people. Even people who are confused |
| locations. If you are the owner of a business or | | | | and possibly panicked must be able to read these |
| some other building which is accessible to the | | | | signs, after all. |
| public, then you likely have to post fire safety | | | | Signs must be large enough that they can be |
| signs. Where appropriate, fire safety signs are | | | | seen and read with ease. A sign which is |
| used primarily to help people find their way to | | | | luminescent is easier to spot than one which is |
| escape routes during a fire. These signs can also | | | | non-luminescent. A smaller photo luminescent sign |
| help in finding emergency equipment and | | | | which is smaller can be used where a larger sign |
| emergency fire phones. The Health and Safety | | | | which was not luminescent would be needed. A |
| (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations passed in | | | | non luminescent sign has to be a size of at least |
| 1996 requires these signs. Any fire safety signs | | | | 200x600mm if it will be seen from a distance of |
| you buy must comply with this law. | | | | 20 m. A luminescent sign at the same distance |
| Fire safety signs are often made of photo | | | | has only to be 340 x120mm. |
| luminescent material. They can therefore be read | | | | Signs also have to prominently placed, without |
| even in the dark, when they give off the light | | | | having to compete for attention with other signs. |
| which they absorb during the day. Multiple sign | | | | Guidelines are in place for where fire safety signs |
| types are available and are equally compliant with | | | | should be positioned. Over doors and in open |
| the law. The EEC or British standards may be | | | | spaces a sign must be at least 2.5 m above the |
| used for signs pointing the way to exits, | | | | floor. When wall mounted, a sign must be at least |
| equipment and phones. | | | | 1.7 m high. In large open spaces, the height varies. |
| There are other kinds of fire safety standards as | | | | Contact your local fire authorities if you have |
| well. If you already have these signs in your | | | | questions about fire safety signs and their use. If |
| building, make sure that they are easy to read | | | | you already have signs which are in compliance |
| and have pictogram s which are easily | | | | with the regulations, you shouldn't need to make |
| understandable and have the correct text as well. | | | | changes. Signs which follow different regulations |
| All signs in a single building should be of the same | | | | (for instance, to obtain a fire certificate) also |
| type. The British standard is the most widely | | | | meet the standards. |
| understood by people and as such is | | | | Posting these fire safety signs in stairwells, |
| recommended. | | | | hallways, offices, etc. is a legal requirement in the |
| Any escape route sign should have extra text to | | | | UK, as well as a good idea for safety in the event |
| ensure that it is understood. Fire exits must be | | | | of a fire. Check your signs to ensure that your |
| indicated by clearly visible arrows pointing towards | | | | building is in compliance with the regulations. Having |
| them along with the correct text. To indicate that | | | | the correct signs in place can save lives! |
| an exit is purely intended for emergencies, then a | | | | |