We supply, audit and install all types of fire safety signs

Fire Guard Services

Fire Safety Signs

Fire safety signs are an essential part of any building's safety measures. They are designed to provide clear and concise information to occupants in case of a fire. These signs provide critical guidance on emergency escape routes and exits, as well as the location of firefighting equipment. In many cases, fire safety signs are required by law and must meet specific standards to ensure their effectiveness. They can be placed in strategic locations throughout the building, including near stairwells, elevators, and exit doors.

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Fire Safety Signs - The Law

Signs must be kept up to date and reflect any changes in the building's layout, occupancy, or fire safety equipment. This means that if the layout of the building changes, or new fire-fighting equipment is installed, the signs must be updated to reflect these changes.

Failure to comply with these legal requirements can result in fines or even imprisonment in the event of a serious incident.

All businesses have a legal duty to safeguard their employees' well-being, including protecting them from fire hazards.

In the UK, two key pieces of legislation govern fire safety in the workplace: The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) and The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.

The RRO consolidates all fire safety requirements into a single framework, while the 1996 regulations specifically address the use of fire safety signs.

These laws mandate that every workplace must display signs to warn and guide employees in the event of a fire. These signs should be complemented by comprehensive fire safety training.

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What we offer

Fire Safety Signs audit & inspection, supply & installation

Fire safety signs are a legal requirement for businesses under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The order requires that all commercial buildings have signs that conform to British Standards, including BS 5499 and BS EN ISO 7010. The signs must be clearly visible and indicate emergency escape routes, the location of fire-fighting equipment, and potential hazards.

Types of Fire Safety Sign

Escape Routes (Green)

Emergency exit path: escape routes indicate the path occupants should take during an emergency evacuation. These routes may include doors, windows, and other exits that are easily accessible.

Fire Equipment (Red)

Location: information on the location of fire-fighting tools such as extinguishers, hose reels, and fire alarms.

Fire action instructions

Instruction: clear steps that occupants should follow in case of a fire, including evacuation procedures and how to use fire-fighting equipment.

Warning Sign (Yellow)

Indicate: hazards such as flammable materials, electrical equipment, or other dangers including mandatory information.

Fire point

Location: fire-fighting equipment, such as fire extinguishers or hoses.

Assembly point

Meeting point: designated location where occupants and staff should gather after evacuating the building.

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Fire Safety Signs - Location & Maintenance
All fire signs must be

Properly maintained and serviced

Regular inspection and testing of signs to ensure they are functional and accurate.

Fixed securely

Signs should be firmly and safely mounted to prevent them from falling.

Clean and clear

Signs should be free from dirt or damage, and text or symbols should be easy to read.

Large Enough

Signs should be sized according to the distance from which they need to be read.

Photo luminescent

Signs should be visible in low light or smoky conditions.

Placed in suitable positions

Signs should be located where they can be easily seen and are unobstructed.

Examples of

Common Fire Safety Signs

Fire safety signs

Fire Exit Signs

A fire exit is a specific route that people should use to leave a building in the event of a fire.

All exits, including emergency exits and exits not in normal use, should be clearly indicated and give a sense of security in the event of an emergency.

Fire exit signs must be displayed directly above an exit opening. When this is not possible, a position must be chosen that is clearly visible and least likely to be obstructed or obscured by smoke.

Fire exit signs that include a directional arrow must be used at suitable points along an escape route.

In multiple-occupant buildings, it is normally the owner who has responsibility for displaying fire signs in common areas, such as stairways.

Fire Extinguisher Identification Signs

The Fire Precaution and Health and Safety at Work Regulations and Legislation recommend that all fire extinguishers are clearly marked and easily accessible at all times. Clear fire extinguisher signage guarantees that you are compliant.

All employees should be trained to be able to identify the contents of extinguishers and the type of fires they are appropriate for.

Clear fire extinguisher signage can help staff to use the correct extinguisher in the event of a fire.

Fire extinguisher signage can also provide information on the maintenance and testing requirements of the extinguishers, which must be carried out regularly to ensure they are in good working order.

Fire extinguisher sign
Fire fighting equipment sign

Fire Fighting Equipment Location Signs

These fire equipment signs inform staff of the location of fire-fighting equipment.

These signs will also help Fire Service staff should they need to enter the building and fight a larger fire.

Fire safety signs, used in the most appropriate locations, can contribute to an effective fire safety management policy.

Hazard Warning and Information Signs

Sited in the correct positions, these hazard warning and information signs can help employers create a safer working environment, by clearly highlighting:

  • Potential fire risks
  • Restricted areas
  • Forbidden and restricted activities

Fire Guard Services can provide you with a fire signage audit and full survey report to ensure you are in compliance with all relevant fire safety legislation.

This is a restricted area sign

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Have a question?

Your Fire Safety Sign Questions Answered

Fire safety signs are an essential part of any building's safety measures. They provide critical guidance on emergency escape routes, the location of fire-fighting equipment, and potential hazards that may pose a risk to occupants.

We understand that business owners may have questions about fire safety signs, such as which signs are required by law. That's why we've put together this short FAQ to provide some answers to your most common questions about fire safety signs.

It is a legal requirement, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, that all occupants of a building must be informed of fire safety instructions, and a good solution to this is fitting fire action signs within it.

There are 5 categories of fire signage:

  1. Prohibition signs
  2. Warning signs
  3. Mandatory signage
  4. Emergency exit signs/escape routes (directional arrows)
  5. Fire equipment signs

BS 5499 covers all safety warning signs, including fire safety signs and is compatible with the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.