UK Fire Safety Signs: What Do They Mean? by Jon Butt

During a fire escape or a fire drill, often the only item which can make for an easy exit is the signage in a building. If you are staying in a hotel or hospital, and you are from another country, you may become panic-stricken in times when a fire alarm bell is ringing and you are not able to read the maps or signs. So the British Fire Associations and the European Fire Associations have agreed to make universal signs which can be easily translated and understood by virtually everyone in times of trouble.

The British Association mandates that signs be placed in all areas of importance and not be removed. They should be located at exit doors, stairwells and other spots where it is necessary to exit the building. Nowadays the signs can be laminated, photoluminescent and they are easily seen at night due to the light they have gathered during the day.

When entering a hotel or public building, take note of the exit signs and the stairs in case of fire. Often the elevators will not be in working condition due to the electrical connections being turned off.

The universal signs have the same caricatures such as a person walking or running with flames behind him or doors with flames behind them and words below or at the side in English. The caricatures are also universal so that all visitors can realise the meaning and the way to exit the building or the right doors to take in instances of fire. When checking into a hotel, make sure that your guests are familiar with these signs and are comfortable with the symbols used.

The other universal message is the colour of the signs. As we have learned since childhood, red means stop, green means go, yellow means caution. Such is this with fire signage, green means go this way with an arrow pointing that way, red means here is the fire equipment such as the fire extinguisher or phone for the fire brigade, blue means something to read such as fire rules, yellow means caution and possible danger. A red circle with a diagonal line means not allowed such as smoking indoors or do not enter.

All businesses were legislated, as of 1996, to display these signs for customers as well as staff members. Remove all hazardous materials and make sure that all exit doors are unblocked and during working hours are not locked for easy exit. Storage rooms which are full of paper and cardboard should be regularly checked for ventilation and fire hazards.

Finally, a further service would be to offer Braille and tactile signage for the sight-impaired. Also an all call announcement over the public-address system would be beneficial for the hearing-impaired and the sight impaired to further alert them to the fire escapes. Red phones should be on each floor of any public building to call the fire brigade to come right away.

Information on fire fighting equipment and fire extinguishers for home or commercial use

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