Signs help people find the way out and the right equipment quickly. Your fire risk assessment should say which you need.
- Fire exit signs – green and white "running man" signs to mark escape routes and final exits.
- Fire action notices – tell people what to do if they discover a fire or hear the alarm. Usually placed by call points and exits.
- Extinguisher identification signs – placed above each extinguisher to show its type and what it's for.
- Fire door signs – such as "Fire door keep shut".
- Fire alarm call point signs – to mark where the alarm can be raised.
Which Material?
- Rigid plastic is our recommendation – it's durable, easy to fix and stays flat.
- Photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) rigid plastic is better still for indoor escape routes. It glows after the lights go out, so it stays visible if the power fails.
- Plain white rigid plastic will do the job, and it's the better choice outdoors.
- Self-adhesive versions tend to use cheap adhesive that peels off, or leaves dirty, sticky edges over time.
How to Fix Them
We recommend double-sided carpet tape or specialist sticky pads (we sell both). They stick to most surfaces straight away. Silicone adhesives aren't ideal – the sign can droop while the silicone sets, and it may soften in hot temperatures.
What the Law Says
- Safety signs: the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 – with a matching version for Northern Ireland – require employers to provide safety signs wherever a risk can't be avoided or controlled in other ways. That includes signs for fire exits and firefighting equipment. The HSE's guidance on these regulations (L64) explains what's needed.
- Pictograms, not just words: safety signs must use a recognised symbol. A sign that just says "Fire Exit" in words isn't enough – it needs the running man symbol. The symbols used today follow BS EN ISO 7010.
- Escape routes: fire safety law across the UK requires emergency routes and exits to be shown by signs. See Do Fire Extinguishers Need Servicing? for the fire safety law that applies in each nation.
Worth remembering… your fire risk assessment is what decides the equipment your premises need. This guide is general advice, not a substitute for it.
Not sure what you need? Get in touch with our team – we'll be delighted to help. No pressure. No sales patter.