What are Floor Level Identification Signs?
Floor Level Identification Signs are a type of Fire Safety Sign, and are used to indicate the floor number of a multi-storey building. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 made it a legal requirement (from 23 January 2023) for all high-rise residential buildings in England to install Wayfinding Signage of a specific criteria in their buildings. This includes clear wayfinding signs (that meet specific measurement requirements) to identify floor and individual flat numbers within a high-rise multi-storey building.
Why did the regulations change in 2023?
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 report noted that in the building, stairwell landings were not clearly marked with the relevant floor number and so fire-fighters were unable to easily identify floors when carrying out their duties. The Inquiry recommended (Recommendation 33.27) that in all high-rise buildings “floor numbers be clearly marked on each landing within the stairways and in a prominent place in all lobbies in such a way as to be visible both in normal conditions and in low lighting or smoky conditions. This consultation bought about change to Fire Regulations in England, and in relation to Floor Level signs, around wayfinding signage in multi-storey high rise buildings over a certain height.
Floor Level Indicator Signage Requirements
Floor Level Indicator Signs now must meet specific criteria to comply with the new regulations. Further reading is available as setout in paragraph 15.14 to 15.16 of Approved Document B Volume 1 2019 edition incorporating 2020 amendments.
Are Floor Level Indicator Signs required by Law?
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 have made it a legal requirement for all high-rise residential buildings in England to have Floor Level Identification (for example; Floor 1 - Floor Level Identification Sign) (and Flat Indicator Level) signage installed. The government considers that in high-rise buildings the risk of fire fighters becoming disorientated in smoky conditions is greater than in smaller buildings - responsible persons may wish to consider installing such signage in any other existing multi-occupied residential buildings also.
It is, however, already a legal requirement for all new multi-occupied residential buildings above 11 metres (including those existing buildings undergoing relevant material alterations), to have Floor Level Indicator signage installed. Such signage must meet specific criteria for text and number heights, and be visible under low lighting or smoky conditions. Existing duties under the Fire Safety Order will make sure that this signage is maintained throughout the life of the building.
Read more about the change in regulations and specific floor level sign requirements in our knowledge hub article about Floor Identification Signs.