Fire safety signs and meanings
Have you ever noticed the signs on the walls of your workplace that explain what to do in case of a fire? These fire safety signs are visual aids designed to clearly and effectively guide you on how to respond promptly, where to go and what hazards to avoid during a fire emergency.
If you have a role in fire safety within your organisation or setting, such as being a nominated fire warden or the designated fire safety responsible person, this article will provide valuable information to help you fulfil your duties effectively with regards to fire safety signage. It explains the different types of fire safety sign and meanings and offers more detailed information about their colors, shapes, text, graphics and purposes. We’ll also explore the legal responsibilities workplaces have regarding fire safety signage, including who is accountable for maintaining them and how they contribute to overall workplace safety.
Legal obligations: Fire safety signs
If you are the ‘responsible person’ for fire safety, you are required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) to conduct fire risk assessments and implement appropriate fire safety measures.
In accordance with the RRFSO, fire safety signage must also be used. Non-automatic firefighting equipment must be clearly indicated by suitable fire safety signs, emergency routes and exits must also be marked with the appropriate signage. Employers must provide employees with information and instructions on fire safety procedures and this is normally done through relevant signs to identify danger areas and communicate procedures effectively. All fire safety facilities, equipment and signage must be maintained in good working order to ensure they remain effective over time.
Under the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, safety signage must adhere to standardised formats to ensure consistency and clarity in conveying essential safety information. Employers, landlords and building owners are responsible for displaying the signs in the correct locations as outlined in these regulations. The signs must be visible, legible and strategically placed to effectively communicate risks and emergency procedures to building occupants.
While a designated fire warden may assist the ‘responsible person,’ the legal obligations under the Fire Safety Order 2005 are the responsibility of the ‘responsible person’. Fire wardens more typically focus on operational tasks, but may assist the ‘responsible person’ with some of their duties. To perform fire safetyresponsibilities effectively, fire wardens and the ‘responsible person’ must understand the fire safety signs and meanings as part of their role. This knowledge will be used to protect staff, visitors and property and ensure compliance with fire safety regulations.
Categories of fire safety signs
Fire safety signs fall into five different categories:
- Mandatory signs
- Safe condition signs
- Location of fire safety equipment signs
- Prohibition signs
- Warning signs
1. Mandatory signs
Mandatory signs are characterised by a blue circle with white text or symbols. These signs communicate clear instructions that must be followed to ensure safety and compliance in various situations, including general operations and emergencies.
Example: Fire door signs
A common mandatory sign is the fire door sign, which ensures that fire doors remain closed to help prevent the spread of flames and smoke during a fire. These signs often include specific instructions, such as ‘Fire door – keep shut’ or ‘Fire door – keep clear’ to reinforce proper usage. They should be prominently displayed near or on fire doors, ensuring visibility and adherence to safety protocols.
Example: Fire action signs
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, it is a legal requirement for the ‘responsible person’ to ensure that all building occupants are informed of fire safety procedures. One effective way to meet this obligation is by displaying fire action signs throughout the premises. Fire action signs provide clear, detailed, step-by-step instructions on what to do in the event of a fire. These signs typically include pictograms and text that indicate actions such as sounding the alarm, evacuation instructions and ‘do not’ information, for instance, do not use the lift or refrain from re-entering the building until you are authorised to do so. While fire action signs are often blue and rectangular to denote instructions, they may also include red elements to highlight prohibition messages and green for information about safe exit routes. These notices are commonly placed next to fire alarm call points, near exits and in areas accessible to all occupants to ensure visibility and compliance with the regulations.
2. Safe condition signs
Safe condition signs are characterised by their green background with white text or symbols. These signs indicate a safe condition and provide guidance on how to reach safety during a fire emergency and play an important part in effectively evacuating occupants from the building.
Example: Fire exit, emergency assembly point or refuse point signs
Fire exit signs must be compliant with BS 5499 and BS ISO EN 7010, and may read ‘fire exit’ or ‘exit’ but must feature a pictogram of the ‘walking man running through a rectangular doorway’ with an arrow to indicate direction to walk. These signs should be strategically placed along all designated escape routes, showing the quickest way to safety. The final fire exit sign, positioned above the emergency exit door, should not include a directional arrow but should say ‘Fire Exit – Keep Clear’, ensuring it is easily identifiable as the exit point.
Assembly point signs mark safe gathering areas after evacuation, while refuge point signs indicate locations where disabled individuals can wait temporarily for assistance during an emergency.
3. Location of fire safety equipment signs
These signs are red rectangles with white pictograms or symbols and they may include text to specify the type of equipment they refer to. Their purpose is to guide individuals quickly to the necessary equipment, such as fire extinguishers, fire hoses, fire blankets or fire alarm call points. For maximum effectiveness, these signs, along with the equipment they reference, must be prominently displayed and highly visible and play a role in ensuring swift and safe responses to fire emergencies.
Example: Fire extinguisher, fire hose reel and fire blanket signs, which mark the location and storage of fire safety equipment. A fire alarm call point sign is located at all fire alarm activation points.
4. Prohibition signs
Prohibition signs are circular signs featuring a red border with a diagonal red line and a white background. Designed to function like a ‘stop’ symbol on a road, they indicate actions that are prohibited or not allowed in specific areas. These signs rely on universally recognised pictograms to communicate their message, often without accompanying text, ensuring they are easily understood by everyone.
Example: No smoking signs or no naked flame signs. These signs prohibit smoking in designated areas and prevent activities like lighting matches or igniting open flames.
5. Warning signs
Warning signs are typically yellow triangles with a black border and a black symbol in the centre that represents the specific hazard. These signs are used to alert individuals to nearby dangers or hazards.
Example: Fire risk warning sign. These feature a flame symbol above a black horizontal line, indicating areas with a heightened fire risk. Some yellow warning signs also include supplementary information, such as directional arrows or text.
Conclusion
Fire safety signs and meanings are an essential element of workplace safety, providing clear guidance during emergencies and ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations. These regulations establish clear standards for implementing and maintaining signage, helping workplaces meet safety requirements and protect occupants. By understanding the various categories of fire safety signs and meanings, organisations can effectively communicate risks, promote safe practices and strengthen their overall emergency preparedness.
Resources
GOV.UK – Workplace Fire Safety – Your Responsibilities
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