The Importance Of Fire Exit Signs

Fire Exit Signs are a type of Fire Safety Sign, designed to visually educate and advise on Fire Safety within a building.

If your within a workplace indoor environment or public building you may have seen these signs before, quite possibly giving them little attention. They are often situated close to stairs, throughout corridors and near exit doors.

To get an idea of the importance of fire exit signs - visualise being within a building that’s on fire! There could be a fire alarm ringing, maybe you smell smoke, and possibly an automatic fire door retainer has closed the doors... you could quickly feel trapped with panic setting in. Then you spot a Fire Exit Sign with an Arrow pointing you towards a safe evacuation route. A no-nonsense simple (often plastic or self-adhesive) sign providing clear instruction how to exit the building quickly.


Do I need Fire Exit Signs

If your business or commercial premisis are small you may not have need for Fire Exit signage. They are not a legal requirement if it is obvious how to exit the building, for example a small lockup or warehouse with only a front door.
If your premisis are more complex then Fire Exit Signs become a necessity to have. How many you require will be dictated by the layout of the building eg; multi-floors, access routes and number of exits.
The concept is how easy is it for occupants (especially visitors or those not familiar with the layout) to be able to find their way out of a building, especially if it is on fire.


Fire Exit Sign Types

Fire Exit Signs are printed signage, typically made from;

  • Rigid Plastic
  • Self-adhesive vinyl Sticker
  • Glow in Dark (photoluminscent) Plastic
  • Brushed Aluminium

They are available in a range of formats and sizes, and various directional arrows and symbols.

  • Fire Exit Sign - usually the final exit location
  • Fire Exit Keep Clear - keep exit clear from obstructions
  • Fire Exit Arrow Left - an indication to go left
  • Fire Exit Arrow Right - an indication to go right
  • Fire Exit Arrow Up - an indication to continue along the current route
  • Fire Exit Arrow Down - continue, then often stairs going down will be present
  • Fire Exit Arrow Diagonal Up Left - an indication to go left and up
  • Fire Exit Arrow Diagonal Up Right - an indication to go right and up
  • Fire Exit Arrow Diagonal Down Left - an indication to go left and down
  • Fire Exit Arrow Diagonal Down Right - an indication to go right and down

What Size?

Common fire exit sign sizes include: 300mm x 100mm, 400mm x 150mm, 600mm x 200mm. The following is a guide to the recommended sign sizes to use for your room space:

  • For rooms with a smaller distance than 14m: 300mm x 100mm sized fire exit signs
  • For rooms with a distance between 14m and 22m: 400mm x 150mm sized fire exit signs
  • For rooms with the distance over 31m: 600mm x 200mm sized fire exit signs
  • If the viewing distance is over 47m - you will need bigger fire exit signs. These are usually 900mm x 300mm

Up or Down?

Up Signs indicate to continue along the current route, similar to one-way signage on the road.
Down Signs indicate there will be stairs going down nearby as part of the exit route.


Photolumeninescent?

Photoluminescent fire exit signs (often referred to as Glow in the Dark Signs) are ideal in low-light situations, or if emergency lighting is not installed in the building. They charge under lit situations and can then provide a source of illumination for sometime after. They are a superior solution when viewing in low-light or smoke filled environments


Fire Exit Signs are an important safety precaution and can save lives in the event of a fire emergency.