In an emergency, people rely on signs to find the way out. If signs are missing, faded, blocked or confusing, even a well-planned evacuation can go wrong.
Signs that most workplaces need
- Exit and escape route signs that lead people along the way out and make final exits clear.
- Fire door signs such as “Fire door keep shut”, where doors are intended to stay closed.
- Firefighting equipment signs showing where extinguishers and fire blankets are.
- Manual call point signs so people can find the alarm.
- Assembly point signs outside, so everyone knows where to gather.
- Warning and prohibition signs where there are specific hazards, such as flammable materials or no smoking areas.
Making signs work
- Keep them visible. Do not let shelving, coats, stock or decorations block them.
- Be consistent. Use recognisable safety symbols so people understand them at a glance, including visitors and new staff.
- Place them sensibly. Signs should be positioned so someone can follow them from one to the next, without gaps or dead ends.
- Think about light. Signs need to be seen in poor light or when the power fails. Emergency lighting and illuminated signs work together.
- Check them regularly. Replace damaged, faded or peeling signs and add new ones after layout changes.
Review after changes
Moving walls, adding storage, changing the use of a room or opening a new entrance can all make existing signs wrong overnight. Include signage in your regular fire safety checks and note it in your fire safety register.
The legal picture
The Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 require a person in control of premises to take reasonable measures to protect people from fire, and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 places wider duties on employers. Clear signage is part of making sure people can escape safely.
Not sure what you need?
A fire risk assessment will review your escape routes and highlight where signs are missing, misleading or blocked. Call Safer Solutions on 086 275 9728 or email info@safersolutions.ie and we will be happy to help. Learn more about fire risk assessments in Ireland.