Many people with poor vision retain some sight and are able to recognise changing or contrasting colour to provide them with visual clues when moving around a building. It may be suffi cient to paint any columns and walls in a contrasting colour and to highlight changes in level by, for example, making the nosing to step and stair treads a contrasting colour (BS 8300 has more information on this). For people with no sight, a well-managed ‘buddy system’; continuous handrails; a sound localisation system (which helps people to move towards an alert sound); or the installation of more tactile aids may be appropriate. Exit signs should be clearly visible whenever the public, staff and contractors are present. In multi-occupied premises, co-operation between the respective Responsible Persons should be sought to ensure that all signs in the building conform to a single pattern or scheme.
Fire Safety Location of equipment
Safe Condition A safe place
SAFETY SIGNS AND NOTICES Safety signs and notices are used to inform employees and other people in the premises. A number of mandatory signs may be necessary in your building: • ‘Fire action notice’ - Instructions in the event of a fi re
• ‘Fire door – keep shut’ - For use on self closing fi re doors
• ‘Fire door – keep locked shut’ - Outside fi re- resisting doors to cupboards normally locked
• ‘Push bar to open’ - On all doors fi tted with a panic bolt
• ‘Fire escape – keep clear’ - On fi re doors which may become obstructed The shape and colour of a sign is an important clue as to their meaning. Here are some examples:
Prohibition Must not do
Hazard Warning
Mandatory Must do
Extinguisher “ID” signs are often integrated with information about the type of extinguisher and its use. If not, they should be positioned close to the extinguisher where they can be easily read.
A Fire Action Notice is
an effective means of providing information to employees and others who must be provided with information about emergency procedures. They should be positioned where they are readily accessible; typically near fi re alarm call points, in staff rest rooms and on the back of hotel bedroom doors.
If your premises are routinely expected to accommodate people whose fi rst language is not English you may need to consider providing instruction in more than one language. The interpretation should always convey an identical message.
16 | BEST PRACTICE GUIDE TO FIRE SAFETY
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