What Are the Rules for Fire Safety Signage UK?

Here in the UK, fire safety isn’t just crucial — it’s also a legal requirement. Business owners and landlords have to both understand the relevant fire safety signage and make sure they are compliant. This is to protect their business as well as everyone around them.

What are the fire safety signage regulations in the UK?

The key regulation for fire safety signage is The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This important legislation sets out the essential responsibilities of businesses, including their:

• Provision – this means they must be provided in the necessary areas.
• Visibility and durability – this means they must be seen and understood.
• Standards – this means they must conform to recognised standards for safety signs.
• Effective placement – this means they must match their placement, such as emergency exit signs pointing the right way and equipment signs on the right objects.

You can find more details within the legislation itself, particularly Article 14, which covers emergency routes and exits.

What happens if you don’t comply with fire safety signage regulations?

What happens if you don’t comply? Well, you could end up with a hefty fine, with minor breaches costing up to £5,000. More severe violations can result in unlimited fines and, in some extreme cases, a prison sentence is possible. 

• In 2021, Eurolets (UK) was fined more than £80,000 for a variety of failings, including a lack of fire safety signage. (Source: London Fire Brigade)
• This year, two directors of the care home group Care Pro (Southeast) Limited were fined £125,000 for a variety of fire safety offences found across four properties. (Source: Fire Industry Association)
• Back in 2009, high-street retailer New Look was fined a record £400,000 after a fire in a London branch highlighted a lack of staff training and planning for evacuation. (Source: Retail Week)

In addition to the RRO, there are The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, which ensures the uniformity in design of such signs, so that they are clear and understandable when used. The British Standards Institution (BSI) also provides specific guidelines via BS 5499 for the design, colour and placement of fire safety signs.

Types of Fire Safety Signs

Fire Action Notices: 

• Typically, these feature a white background with bold red and blue text. 

• Fire action signs outline what steps to take in the event of a fire, such as “sound the alarm” and “leave by the nearest exit”. 

An example is the “In Case of Fire” sign common in hotel corridors, which provides a quick reference of actions and evacuation routes.

Fire Exit Route Signs: 

• These are the familiar green and white “running man” signs with arrows that point toward the nearest exit. 
• In office buildings, fire exit signs are often illuminated and located in corridors to guide employees to safety. 
• Photoluminescent features ensure they are visible even during a power outage.

Fire Door Signs: 

• Fire door signs are usually blue circles featuring white text, such as “Fire door Keep closed”.
• In manufacturing facilities, they are found on heavy doors leading to storage areas, serving as constant reminders to keep doors closed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

Fire Assembly Point Signs: 

• Often green with white text and arrows, assembly point signs indicate assembly areas. 
• In schools, for example, a sign might point to a large open field designated for gathering during evacuations. 
• Made from durable materials, these signs should be able to withstand adverse weather conditions.

Fire Equipment Signs: 

• Fire equipment signs in areas like kitchens or workshops, these red and white signs mark the location of extinguishers, hoses and alarms. 
• A fire extinguisher sign might feature an icon of an extinguisher along with usage instructions to let the user know how to operate that particular type effectively.

Warning and Prohibition Signs: 

• Common in places with flammable materials, a flammable warning sign might have a flame icon with a red border. 
• These signs can warn about explosive materials or electrical risks. 
• Prohibition signs like “No Smoking” use a red circle with a line through a cigarette icon, clearly indicating restrictions to avoid potential fire hazards.

Why fire safety signage compliance is crucial

As a legal and moral duty, fire safety signage in your premises can save lives and protect your reputation. 

By investing in our high-quality safety signs here at Fire Safety Equipment, you can meet compliance standards, bringing peace of mind to anyone in your building and giving essential guidance should the worst happen.

Indispensable and always effective, browse our range of fire safety signs and order yours online today. We’re here to help you protect lives and offer fast, free delivery in the UK. Not sure if we’re the right supplier for you? Check out what our current customers think of our products here.