Fire safety signs are designed to warn occupants of a building of any fire hazards, provide information on fire safety equipment and procedures, and give concise instructions about the actions to take in the event of a fire.
The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 outlines the types of fire signs and their placement, while the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 determines which signs are essential for your business, and this includes Fire Exit signs, like the one below.
One thing I see on my travels, particularly in warehouses and factories, is, due to the distances involved, that many of these signs are too small.
As a guide, for a room which is lit to 100 lux, the following should apply.
Farthest distance from sign to occupant | Minimum Sign size |
0-17 m | 120 x 340 mm |
17-22 m | 150 x 400 mm |
22 - 30 m | 200 x 450 mm |
30 - 39 m | 250 x 600 mm |
39 - 47 m | 300 x 900 mm |
Source: Fire Protection Association