Fire Safety Signage and Wayfinding

What This Requirement Covers

Fire safety signage ensures that building occupants can identify escape routes, fire-fighting equipment, and fire alarm call points quickly and clearly, particularly in unfamiliar buildings or during an emergency. Requirements are set by the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, BS 5499 (graphical symbols and signs), and BS EN ISO 7010 (safety signs).

Key Requirements

Exit and Escape Route Signs

1. All escape routes must be marked with green and white directional signs showing the running person symbol (BS EN ISO 7010 E001/E002)
2. Signs must be positioned so that an escaping person can see the next sign from any point on the escape route
3. Maximum viewing distance depends on sign size: the letter height in mm multiplied by 200 gives the maximum viewing distance in mm
4. Where the escape route is not obvious, directional arrows must be included
5. Final exit doors must be marked unless they are the normal entry/exit for the building and are clearly identifiable
6. Internally illuminated or photoluminescent signs are required in buildings with emergency lighting requirements

Fire-Fighting Equipment Signs

1. Fire extinguishers, fire blankets, hose reels, and other fire-fighting equipment must be identified with red and white signs
2. Each fire extinguisher should have a sign indicating its type and suitable fire classes
3. The location of fire-fighting equipment must be indicated by signs visible from the normal access route

Fire Alarm Call Points

1. The location of manual fire alarm call points must be identified with signs where the call point is not immediately obvious
2. Call point signage uses the standard red circle with white arrow symbol

Photoluminescent Signs and Wayfinding

1. Photoluminescent signs and wayfinding strips provide guidance in complete darkness by absorbing and re-emitting light
2. BS 5266-1 recommends photoluminescent wayfinding in buildings where emergency lighting is required
3. Low-level wayfinding (at dado level or floor level) is particularly effective in smoke-filled environments
4. Photoluminescent materials must comply with BS ISO 17398 and be charged by the normal lighting

Practical Compliance Tips

1. Carry out a sign survey as part of the fire risk assessment to identify missing, damaged, or incorrectly positioned signs
2. Use the correct colour coding: green for escape, red for fire-fighting, blue for mandatory, yellow for warning
3. Ensure signs are not obstructed by decorations, posters, or equipment
4. Replace faded or damaged signs immediately; photoluminescent signs lose effectiveness over time
5. In multilingual environments, use pictographic signs that do not depend on text
6. Plan signage as part of the building handover, not as an afterthought
7. Include signage in the fire risk assessment review and annual maintenance programme