The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) implemented the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 which requires employers to be compliant with the rules facing the compulsory application of fire safety signs in the workplace.
In this Article:
What are Fire Safety Signs for?
Fire safety signs are used to warn people of any fire hazards and to also instruct and direct people towards fire exits and fire equipment in the case of a fire emergency. The fire safety signs should have clear and concise instructions about what actions to perform during a fire and where to go.
Some types of fire safety signs include the following:
Emergency Exit and Emergency Door Release Signs
Escape Route Location Signs
Safe Condition Signs
Fire Alarm and Equipment Signs
Fire Action Signs
Prohibition Signs
Mandatory Signs
Glow in the dark safety signs should also be used to ensure all fire safety signs can be seen at all times, especially in the case of low visibility or low lighted environments.
There is a selection of fire safety signs and by law, workplaces and premises must put up the appropriate signs and make sure they are visible for everyone to see. Not only should the signs warn people what to do and where to go, they will also identify any prohibited actions such as no access areas.
Legislation & Regulations that Apply to Fire Safety Signs
The the UK there are 2 main pieces of legal framework that provide instruction on the installation of fire safety signs. These regulations give clear guidance that should be applied to all relevant premises, including workplaces and HMO's.
The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996
In the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, the HSE states the following:
An emergency escape or first-aid sign means a sign giving information on escape routes or emergency exits or first-aid or rescue facilities. A fire safety sign means a sign (including an illuminated sign or an acoustic signal) which:
(i) Provides information on escape routes and emergency exits in case of fire;
(ii) Provides information on the identification or location of fire-fighting equipment; or
(iii) Gives warning in case of fire.
The regulations also state that the “signboards are to be installed at a suitable height and in a position appropriate to the line of sight, taking account of any obstacles, either at the access point to an area in the case of a general hazard, or in the immediate vicinity of a specific hazard or object and in a well-lit and easily accessible and visible location.”
Essentially HSE gives us the following guidance when installing fire exit signs:
Must be a suitable height
Within line of sight and view unobstructed
Well lit and easily visible
In close proximity to the fire hazards
This ensures that the fire safety signs are always visible and will provide clear instruction for everyone.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
This legislation is a vital part of meeting UK fire safety standards. This piece of legislation states that a responsible person should be appointed in a workplace, otherwise the responsibility of fire safety falls on another person in a superior position, e.g. Owner, Employer or Occupier.
The duties of a person responsible for fire safety are outlined in this piece of legislation and consist of the following the following:
Carry out fire risk assessments
Implement fire safety measures
Maintain a fire management plan
Ensure the appropriate use of fire safety signs
ISO 3864
Although adherence to ISO 3864 is not mandatory in the UK, it remains an internationally recognized standard providing guidance on fire protection and emergency evacuation.
One of the key elements of ISO 3864 is the colour specifications given for different types of safety signs to ensure they are clearly visible.
The guidance given to us from ISO 3864 provides the following standards when using fire safety signs
Sign Type | Colour Usage | ISO Colour Specification | Examples |
Fire Equipment Signs | Red background, white pictogram | Red (similar to RAL 3000) | Fire extinguishers, fire hoses |
Emergency Exit Signs | Green background, white pictogram | Green (similar to RAL 6032) | Emergency exits, escape routes |
Prohibition Signs | Red background, white/black pictogram | Red (similar to RAL 3001) | No smoking, no open flames |
Mandatory Signs | Blue background, white pictogram | Blue (similar to RAL 5017) | Must wear safety helmets, must wear eye protection |
Warning Signs | Yellow or Amber background, black pictogram | Yellow (similar to RAL 1003) | General warnings, caution signs |
Safe Condition Signs | Green background, white pictogram | Green (similar to RAL 6032) | First aid kits, safety equipment locations |
Signs to Prevent Fires
Workplace fires can be avoided by recognizing potential hazards and implementing appropriate safety protocols to prevent serious accidents. It's essential to conduct regular risk assessments carried out by qualified and trained individuals to identify any risks and determine the necessary actions to eliminate or minimize the chances of a fire occurring.
Assessing Risk
As stated by the HSE, employers must take responsibility for all workplace buildings and ensure that risk factors are reduced by adopting the correct behaviours and procedures for fire safety. The fire risk assessment will identify any potential fire ignition sources and identify which substances will burn such as wood, electrical equipment and certain chemicals.
Safety measures that can be implemented to control the identified fire risks often include:
Separate flammable substances and sources of ignition
Ensure the area is always clean and tidy to eliminate risk of accidental fires
Remove excess rubbish and waste
Enforce fire safety training for all employees and perform regular fire drills
Provide training on how to use fire extinguishers
Signs to Aid Escape in the Event of Fire
If there is a fire in the workplace, there must be working fire alarms installed to warn the workers as well as fire sprinklers installed which can help to prevent the spread of fire. The fire safety signs must also be placed so that they can be easily visible to read in the case of a fire emergency.
Employees are required to have regular fire drills so they know exactly what to do and how to follow the instructions on the signs to find the nearest fire exits. The escape route must always be kept clear with no obstructions in the path to ensure all employees can safely escape the building and the fire.
Providing directions to the Assembly Point
In the workplace some fire safety signs signify the assembly point which is a safe distance away from the building. In the event of a fire all employees will be required to make their way to the assembly point to make it easier to count everyone and determine if anyone is still missing. Fire doors should also be set up which closes any internal doors to help prevent the spread of fire.
Legal Requirements of Fire Safety Signs
It is a legal requirement for all businesses, workplaces and premises to have a sufficient amount of fire safety signs that clearly signpost instructions and any hazards or risks in case of fire.
The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 state the specific requirements for fire safety signs which includes the shape, colour and size. The specific coloured signboards must be used to permanently mark the location of hazards, fire exits and fire fighting equipment to be used by employees in the case of a fire.
Designating a Responsible Person
Each workplace must assign a ‘responsible person’ who’s role it is to regularly maintain and clean the signs to ensure they are always clear and visible to be read. If any signs get damaged or faded, it is also their responsibility to replace the signs to ensure the information can be read at all times.
Types of Fire Safety Sign
There are various types of fire safety signs that highlight specific areas and provide different information in the case of a fire emergency.
The fire safety signs include:
Emergency Exit and emergency door release signs
These signs highlight the fire exit doors and provide a pictogram demonstration on how to correctly open the doors. Fire exit doors have security features including push to release mechanisms and these doors should only be used in emergencies.
Escape route location signs
These signs will show people the way to go to get to a fire escape or exit. This route should always be kept clear from obstructions to ensure people can get out safely.
Safe condition signs
These signs clearly show the location of certain equipment and areas such as first aid kits, rescue points or emergency eye wash stations.
Fire alarm and equipment signs
These signs will highlight where the nearest fire alarms are and the location of other equipment such as fire extinguishers and the classes of fire it can be used on, fire blankets and more.
Fire action signs
These signs provide a numbered chart of instructions on what to do in a fire. This often includes pull the alarm, find a fire escape and meet at the assembly point.
Prohibition signs
These signs inform people on what actions are prohibited in certain areas to prevent the risk of a fire. This may include no smoking, no entry or authorised personnel only.
Mandatory signs
These signs highlight the actions that must be carried out such as keep the fire exit or fire door clear and fire door keep shut which helps to prevent the spread of fire.
Fire Safety Sign Colour Codes
The fire safety signs are designed in a variety of different colours to highlight the different properties of each sign.
The colours signify:
Red – The red signs highlight danger and provide information on fire protection arrangements and are used for prohibition and fire equipment signs and the location of fire alarms.
Yellow – The yellow signs signify warnings to highlight any fire hazards such as highly flammable liquid or hazardous materials and atmospheres.
Green – The green signs symbolise emergency escape routes such as fire exits, fire doors and assembly points as well as safe condition signs such as for first aid.
Blue – The blue signs are used for mandatory signs which highlight actions that must be carried out such as fire door keep shut and fire escape clear.
Use of Signage in Fire Risk Assessments
A fire risk assessment will identify and hazards in the workplace that can be prevented or reduced with the implementation of certain safety measures. Such measures will include the removal of any obstruction from fire escape routes and regularly testing fire alarms and the requirement of fire equipment available close by.
A fire risk assessment will also highlight:
a. What types of fire safety signs are required and where to place
b. The must have signs will include fire exit locations
c. Where to find fire equipment such as fire alarms and fire extinguishers and fire action charts.
The implementation of fire safety signs will improve the health and safety of everyone in the workplace and will provide all the essential information on what to do in the event of a fire and how to safely escape the building.
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