Signs and Notices


I


n order for occupants, particularly those who are unfamiliar with the building, to use the building safely, there is normally a need to provide fi re exit signs to direct people towards alternative means of escape. It is therefore important to consider the adequacy of such signage in the fi re risk assessment. The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 requires that these signs incorporate the appropriate pictogram. Guidance on escape routes signs is given in BS 5499-4, and EN ISO 7010 has recently been published creating a new European Standard for safety signs. In the course of the fi re risk assessment, there is also a need to consider whether other forms of fi re safety signs and notices are necessary, and whether existing signs are adequate. Examples include: • Safe condition signs, e.g. indicating the use of escape hardware


• Signs on fi re doors indicating the need for doors to be shut, kept locked shut or kept clear as appropriate


• Other mandatory signs such as those indicating the need to keep a fi re exit clear


• Fire equipment signs primarily where equipment is hidden from direct view, e.g. fi re extinguishers


• No smoking signs • Fire procedure notices


All signs and notices will need illumination to ensure they are conspicuous and legible. They may be externally illuminated or internally illuminated. Signs or notices of the photo-luminescent type need a period of exposure to light before they become visible in darkness.


14 | BEST PRACTICE GUIDE TO FIRE SAFETY


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