Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, occupants of a building must be informed of fire safety instructions, including the use of adequate signage. This means fire action notices are required in all commercial premises, as they clearly show people what to do in the event of a fire. Ideally, fire action signs should be placed next to every fire alarm call point and final exit. Here, we discuss everything you need to know about a fire action notice, allowing you to protect lives and achieve lawful compliance.
What does a fire action notice tell you?
A fire action notice includes instructions for people to follow in the event of a fire. Below, we explain more about each piece of information displayed by fire action signs.
Instruction to sound the alarm
If a person notices a fire and the alarm is not going off, it is crucial to make everyone else aware of the danger by sounding the alarm. This is the first instruction on a fire action notice and is why they should be placed next to fire alarm call points.
Evacuation instructions
Generally, the next piece of instruction on a fire action notice will tell people to evacuate the building through the nearest available exit, using a picture of a green running man - also a requirement of fire exit signs.
However, this may differ if the building has a ‘stay put’ policy, which is used in multi-occupancy residential properties. It advises residents who are not directly affected by the fire to ‘stay put’ until told otherwise by the fire and rescue service. This should only be used if the building’s construction is purpose built for fire safety, including cladding and compartmentalisation, but is not legally binding as residents can still choose to leave for their own safety and peace of mind.
Alert the fire service
Another common instruction on a fire safety notice is to alert the fire services, ensuring that professional assistance is notified about the emergency and arrives as quickly as possible. The fire safety notice will read ‘alert the fire service’ and include contact information.
Assembly point
The fire action notice will also tell people to make their way to the fire assembly point (also known as a fire muster point) and includes a blank white space for the fire safety officer to write the location. This will also be reinforced by fire assembly point signs, which must be placed at the location itself.
Prohibition signs
Lastly, the fire action notice lists prohibited actions in the event of a fire. These are things people must not do in order to maintain the safety of themselves and others. Common examples include ‘do not use the lift’ and ‘do not return to the building until authorised to do so’.
There are many types of fire safety signs that are essential to protecting lives and complying with regulations. UK Safety Store has over 30 years’ experience in safety signage and stocks an extensive range of fire safety signs for your business. However, if you can’t find what you're looking for, contact us about our custom sign service and we’ll create the perfect solution.
Darren Taylor, managing director of UK Safety Store
With over 30 years' experience in the manufacturing and regulations of safety signs, our managing director Darren prides himself on providing the very best services and insights for all UK Safety Store customers.
