Fire Safety Signs Buying Guide

Fire safety signs play a critical role in emergency preparedness, helping people identify exits, locate fire-fighting equipment, and follow necessary safety actions.

In the UK, strict regulations govern the use and placement of these signs to protect occupants and support smooth evacuations.

In an emergency, lighting is often compromised, whether due to blackouts or thick smoke – photoluminescent fire safety signage and exit guidance is a critical and cost efficient way to ensure your safety messaging is highly visible at these times.

This guide outlines essential information on fire safety sign requirements, types, and positioning to help you choose the right signage for your premises.

The Importance of Fire Safety Signs and Regulations

There are two main pieces of fire safety legislation governing fire safety signs in the UK, The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the "RRO") and The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.

The RRO underpins all fire safety requirements in the UK and covers all aspects of fire safety, not just signage.

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 apply specifically to safety signage, setting the framework for the use of fire safety signage in workplaces and public spaces across the UK. This refers to standards such as BS ISO 7010 to ensure that premises use standardized symbols and colors to communicate essential information quickly. The purpose is to maintain consistent, recognizable signage that directs and informs people clearly in emergency situations.

Types of Fire Safety Signs

Deciding which fire safety signs you require will depend on various factors, including the use and layout of your premises and the fire equipment you have on site. All businesses and blocks of flats must have a valid Fire Risk Assessment which should detail which fire safety signs are required for your premises.

The most common types of fire safety signs are explained here:

Fire Action Notices

Fire Action Notices provide clear, step-by-step instructions on what to do in case of fire. These signs typically cover essential actions, including raising the alarm, leaving the building safely, and proceeding to designated assembly points.

Placement:

These notices should be prominently displayed near exits, in communal areas, and in high-traffic locations where they are visible to everyone. They are often placed at entry points, stairwells, and meeting rooms to ensure the information is easily accessible.

Exit Route Marking

Exit Route Marking signs guide people along designated evacuation paths, ensuring a clear route to safety. They include Fire Exit Signs, Fire Door Signs and Assembly Point Signs. These signs provide visual guidance during emergencies and help avoid confusion or congestion.

Placement:

Fire Exit Signs – these should be placed so that people have clear directional guidance on how to leave the building. Fire Exit signs should be placed above fire exits and along escape routes, indicating changes of direction leading to the safe exit. People should be able to see the next sign as soon as they have passed the previous one, and they should generally be placed at between 1.8 - 2.5m above ground level (other than those above doors).
Fire Door Signs – these should be placed on each side of every fire door, at eye level.
Assembly Point Signs - Assembly Point signs should be located at the designated meeting area, away from the building, where people should gather in an emergency.

Fire Equipment Signs

Fire Equipment Signs indicate the location of essential fire-fighting equipment, such as fire extinguishers, fire hoses, and alarm call points. These red signs make fire equipment easy to locate, ensuring quick access in emergencies. They also provide guidance on which equipment to use, for example which fire extinguishers are appropriate depending on the type of fire.

Placement:

Fire Equipment Signs should be positioned directly above or beside the fire-fighting equipment to make it readily identifiable. Proper placement of these signs is critical, especially in larger buildings or areas where equipment might otherwise be difficult to locate.

Preventative Signage (Warning and Prohibition Signs)

Preventative signage includes warning signs and prohibition signs. Warning signs (typically yellow) alert individuals to potential fire-related hazards, such as areas with flammable materials. Prohibition signs (typically red and white) communicate actions that are not permitted, such as "No Smoking" in areas where there is a fire risk.

Placement:

Warning signs should be placed near any identified fire risks, including areas with combustible materials or machinery. Prohibition signs should be used in areas where activities, like smoking, could increase the risk of fire. Both types should be clearly visible to anyone in or near the area.

Maintaining Regulatory Compliance

Compliance with fire safety signage regulations isn’t a one-time task. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends routine inspections of all fire safety signs to ensure they remain clearly visible, clean, and intact.

Over time, signs can become obscured, faded, or damaged, particularly in high-traffic areas or places exposed to environmental elements.

Any damaged or illegible signs should be replaced immediately to maintain regulatory compliance. Photoluminescent signs, which glow in the dark, are recommended in areas where lighting may be limited in emergencies, enhancing visibility and aiding safe evacuation.

Materials and Durability of Fire Safety Signs

Fire safety signs should be constructed from durable materials suitable for the environment they are placed in. YourGlowSign offer a wide range of materials and the widest range of glow intensity and duration.

Standard material options include: Self Adhesive Vinyl, 1.2mm Rigid Plastic, 3mm Aluminium Composite, GloAcrylic, Glow-Reflect and Palboard.

Visit our Photoluminescent Signs Buying Guide for more detail.

Why Buy From Your Glow Sign?

Safety signs are a legal requirement for all kinds of organisation to meet basic health and safety obligations, and photoluminescent signs add enhanced visibility to critical safety messages.

Compliance doesn’t have to be onerous or expensive and we aim to make it as easy as possible for our customers. 

We manufacture our own signs in Poole, Dorset which enables our customers to save money by buying directly from a UK manufacturer.

All of our signs are designed using official ISO symbols, and laid out in accordance with HSE Signs & Signals regulations, unlike some competitors.

We offer the widest range of photoluminescent materials, sign types and finishes and fixings, all available at the click of the button, so you can order a complete signage solution in seconds. As standard, we offer high quality durable materials and UV stabilised inks so our signs will stand the test of time, we guarantee it!