Emergency Fire Escape Signs

The purpose of fire escape signs is to provide occupants in any place within a building with a clear indication of a route to safety in the event of an emergency. These routes (when taken) are required to be unobstructed and accompanied by a sign or series of signs directing the occupants to a place of safety by the shortest possible route.

It is recommended under British Standards BS 5499-4: 2000 that to be effective and avoid confusion, escape route signs need to provide one clear route towards a place of safety. Should there be a choice of two escape routes with equal travel distances, both routes should be indicated by a separate series of signs.

Considerations also need to be taken into account by the surveyor of any changes in direction, level or stairs, features or barriers to be installed and level of lighting. It is equally important when installing signs that a uniformed and systematic approach is taken to ensure all escape route signs are of similar design, format and style. This is to avoid any confusion from evacuating occupants during a time of urgency.



contact Cherwell Fire SafetyRequest a free no obligation quote

For a free no obligation quote please complete the form below with your request and we will provide you with a quote within 24 hours or please call us on  0800 998 7958



Contact Form

Name:              

E-mail:             

Phone Number:  


Full postcode:   

Message:



Preferred method of contact:

E-mail Phone

CAPTCHA
Please enter the above case sensitive words with Capitals where required into the box below-then submit



In simple premises, a few signs indicating the alternative exit(s) might be all that is needed. In larger and more complex premises, a series of signs directing people along the escape route towards the final exit might be needed. 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.

Positioning of escape signs

The presence of other signs in shops (such as advertising and customer information) or shop dressing, can distract attention from, or obscure the visibility of escape signs. This could affect people's ability to see and understand escape signs, particularly if there is a fire evacuation. Always ensure that escape signs are not overwhelmed.

Escape signs should meet the following criteria:

  • They should provide clear, unambiguous information to enable people to safely leave a building in an emergency.
  • Every escape route sign should, where necessary, incorporate, or be accompanied by, a directional arrow. Arrows should not be used on their own.
  • If the escape route to the nearest exit is not obvious then it should be indicated by sign(s).
  • Signs should be positioned so that a person escaping will always have the next escape route sign in sight.
  • Escape signs should be fixed above the door in the direction of escape and not be fixed to doors, as they will not be visible if the door is open.
  • Signs mounted above doors should be at a height of between 2.0m and 2.5m above the floor.
  • Signs on walls should be mounted between 1.7m and 2.0m above the floor.
  • Mounting heights greater than 2.5m may be used for hanging signs, e.g. in large open spaces or for operational reasons, but care should be taken to ensure that such signs are both conspicuous and legible. In such case larger signs may be necessary.
  • Signs should be sited at the same height throughout the escape route, so far as is reasonably practical.

Fire escape sign design

For a sign to comply with safety signs regulations it must be pictographic. The pictogram can be supplemented by text if this is considered necessary to make the sign easily understood (BS Type sign), but you must not have a safety sign that uses only text. Either type of sign can be used but different types should not be mixed. Appropriate signs should take into account the needs of those who may need to use them.

The legibility of escape signs is determined by the size of the sign, it's level of illumination and the distance over which it is viewed. The use of signs within the same premises should follow a consistent design pattern or scheme. You should not rely on a few outsized signs which may encourage people to travel to a particular escape route when other more appropriate routes should be used.