Fire Safety Signs

Advice on the use of fire safety signs in your premises can be obtained from your local fire authority. Overall, your fire safety signs should comply with BS 5499:Part 1:1990. British Standard BS 5499 – 1 relates to fire safety signs and general safety signs. It specifies how to use the geometric shapes, colours and graphical symbols that make up safety signs with specific meanings. It also informs readers of how to combine fire safety signs with supplementary text and how to use directional arrows. It applies to all fire exit, fire equipment, other fire safety signs and safe condition safety signs. It also informs readers of how to calculate the size of fire safety signs or general safety sign required. An average workplace premises should have a number of fire safety signs. These include fire exit signs, fire extinguisher identification signs and no smoking signs. Other fire safety signs necessary in the workplace are; fire action notices, and assembly point signs to ensure all staff are aware of what to do and where to meet in the event of a fire so a roll call can be completed. Fire safety signs such as these are essential to confirm what staff should already know, they may also serve to inform visitors to the building of fire safety procedures. Fire safety signs can come in a number of finishes. The most economical being self adhesive vinal. This is great for smooth walls and adheres directly to them. A mid range option is to choose fire safety signs in a rigid plastic finish which is better for less smooth walls. The best finish for fire safety signs however is a photo luminescent finish, meaning that the fire safety signs are able to glow in the dark. Whichever finish you decide to choose, ensure that your fire safety signs comply with BS 5499.