Fire Sign FAQs

Why are fire safety signs important?

Fire safety signs are essential for helping people respond quickly and safely during a fire or other emergency. They provide clear visual instructions that identify escape routes, emergency exits, fire-fighting equipment, fire alarm call points, and the actions occupants should take in the event of a fire. Well-positioned, easy-to-understand signs can reduce confusion, support a faster evacuation, and help minimise the risk of injury.

In the UK, fire safety signs are often required where a fire risk assessment identifies that signage is necessary to warn, instruct or guide people. They should comply with recognised standards, such as ISO 7010, to ensure symbols are easily understood regardless of language or experience. Employers, building owners and those responsible for premises should ensure fire safety signs are correctly installed, clearly visible, well maintained, and kept up to date. By providing consistent and recognisable information, fire safety signs play an important role in improving workplace safety, supporting legal compliance, and protecting employees, visitors and members of the public.

What are the penalties for inadequate fire safety signage?

Failing to provide adequate fire safety signage can put people at risk and may lead to enforcement action if it results in non-compliance with UK fire safety legislation. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person must ensure that appropriate fire safety measures are in place, which may include the provision of suitable fire safety signs where identified by a fire risk assessment.

If fire safety signage is missing, incorrect, poorly maintained or not clearly visible, enforcing authorities such as the local Fire and Rescue Service may issue an Alterations Notice, Enforcement Notice or Prohibition Notice requiring the issues to be addressed. In more serious cases, particularly where inadequate signage contributes to significant risks or places people in danger, prosecution may result. Courts can impose unlimited fines and, in the most serious offences, custodial sentences.

Beyond legal penalties, inadequate fire safety signage can delay evacuations, make it more difficult to locate fire-fighting equipment, increase the risk of injury, and expose organisations to civil claims, reputational damage and business disruption. Regular fire risk assessments, routine inspections and the correct use of compliant fire safety signs help ensure your premises remain safe and meet your legal responsibilities.

How do I choose the right fire safety signs for my building?

Choosing the right fire safety signs starts with carrying out a suitable fire risk assessment to identify the hazards, escape routes, fire-fighting equipment and emergency procedures within your building. The type of premises, its layout, the number of occupants, and whether visitors or members of the public use the building will all influence the signage required. In many workplaces, you'll need a combination of fire exit signs, fire equipment signs, fire action notices, fire door signs and assembly point signs to ensure people can quickly locate escape routes and essential fire safety equipment during an emergency.

Fire safety signs should comply with recognised standards, including ISO 7010, which uses internationally recognised symbols to improve understanding regardless of language. Signs should be positioned where they are easy to see, remain unobstructed, and be clearly visible under normal conditions and during an emergency. They should also be regularly inspected and replaced if they become damaged, faded or no longer reflect the building's layout or fire safety procedures.

If you're unsure which fire safety signs your premises require, consult your fire risk assessment or seek advice from a competent fire safety professional. Selecting the correct signs and displaying them in the right locations will help you meet your legal responsibilities, support a safe evacuation, and ensure employees, visitors and contractors can respond quickly and safely in the event of a fire.

Can fire safety signs be photoluminescent (glow in the dark)?

Yes. Photoluminescent fire safety signs, often referred to as glow-in-the-dark signs, can be an excellent choice for helping people find escape routes and fire safety equipment if normal lighting fails. These signs absorb light from natural or artificial sources and then emit a visible glow in low-light or blackout conditions, making them particularly useful during emergency evacuations.

Photoluminescent signs are commonly used for fire exit signs, directional escape route signs, fire equipment signs and assembly point signs. While they can improve visibility during an emergency, they should not be seen as a substitute for emergency lighting where this is required. The need for emergency lighting and fire safety signage should always be determined through a fire risk assessment and in accordance with the relevant fire safety regulations and standards.

To remain effective, photoluminescent signs should be installed in locations where they receive sufficient ambient light to charge properly and should be kept clean, unobstructed and in good condition. Choosing high-quality signs that comply with recognised standards, such as ISO 7010, helps ensure they display clear, universally recognised symbols and provide reliable guidance when it's needed most.

Who is responsible for providing fire safety signage?

Responsibility for providing fire safety signage usually falls to the responsible person for a premises. This is typically the employer, building owner, landlord, occupier, or another person who has control of the building or responsibility for fire safety arrangements. Their duties include ensuring that suitable fire safety measures are in place, which may include providing appropriate fire safety signs where they are identified as necessary by a fire risk assessment.

The responsible person must ensure that fire safety signs are suitable for the building, clearly visible, correctly positioned and maintained in good condition. This may include signs identifying fire exits, escape routes, fire-fighting equipment, fire alarm call points, assembly points and emergency procedures. The type and number of signs required will depend on the size, layout, use and specific risks associated with the premises.

For rented or shared buildings, responsibility may be shared between different parties, such as landlords, tenants, managing agents and employers. It is important that roles are clearly defined to ensure there are no gaps in fire safety responsibilities. Regular reviews of fire risk assessments and fire safety arrangements will help ensure signage remains effective, up to date and suitable for everyone using the building.

Where should fire safety signs be displayed?

Fire safety signs should be displayed directly above, beside or close to fire-fighting equipment so that it can be quickly identified and accessed in an emergency. This includes equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire blankets, fire hose reels, fire alarm call points and other fire-fighting facilities. The purpose of these signs is to ensure that people can easily locate essential equipment, even if they are unfamiliar with the building.

Signs should be positioned where they are clearly visible and not hidden by doors, furniture, stock, machinery or other obstructions. In larger buildings, busy workplaces or areas where equipment could be difficult to see, additional directional signs may be required to guide people towards fire-fighting equipment. The visibility of signs is especially important in locations such as warehouses, factories, offices, schools, healthcare facilities and retail premises where quick access to fire equipment may be critical.

Fire signs should use clear, recognised symbols and comply with relevant standards, such as ISO 7010, to ensure they are easily understood. They should also be regularly inspected to make sure they remain clean, undamaged and suitable for the environment. If the location of fire equipment changes, signage should be updated to reflect the new position.

Correctly displayed fire safety signs help people respond more effectively during a fire, reduce delays when locating fire-fighting equipment and support a well-managed fire safety system within any building.