Sign Type
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Example
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Description
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Meaning
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Application
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Fire extinguisher signs
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Usually rectangular, fire
extinguisher signs feature a description of the type of fire extinguisher
present and its uses. They are found in different colours, the most common
being red and green.
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These signs serve as instructions,
detailing what fire extinguishers can and cannot be used for. This increases
the safety of extinguisher procedure and aims to reduce inappropriate use.
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It is a legal requirement that all
fire equipment is easy to access, simple to use and indicated by appropriate
signage. These signs can help you meet this legislation if they are installed
near the extinguisher.
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Fire action signs
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Normally square or oblong, fire
action signs are often blue, white and red (sometimes also green), and detail
the mandatory actions required in the event of a fire or other emergency.
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Fire action signs describe what
should be done in the event of discovering a fire or upon hearing the alarm.
They usually include who you should phone and where the nearest meeting point
is. They also often have a section on actions which should not be taken.
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According to the Regulatory Reform
(Fire Safety) Order 2005, all occupants of a building must be informed of
fire safety instructions and these are a simple and convenient way of
achieving this.
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Prohibition signs
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Prohibition signs are almost
always red and white, signalising danger, and feature a ‘do not’ symbol (a
red circle with a line through it) with the prohibited action within it and
written underneath it.
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They inform occupants of the
building of behaviours which are inappropriate and may pose a fire risk or
hazard. They are a mandatory instruction and should be followed at all times.
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Legal requirements state that once
a fire risk has been identified, appropriate actions should be taken to
inform people within the building and, as such, reduce the risk. Installing
prohibition signs is a great solution to this.
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Fire exit signs
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Usually square or oblong, fire
exit signs are green and white. Green is often used to symbolise emergency
escape and no danger, and these signs show occupants the most efficient way
out of a building in the event of an emergency.
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Fire exit signs are used to
clearly inform occupants of a building of the nearest emergency exits, safe
evacuation route and general evacuation procedures. They can also offer
detailed instructions, such as how to open doorways.
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Owners and managers of commercial
buildings have a legal obligation to make sure everyone understands the
simplest, most efficient methods of evacuation, aiming to make one as quick
and safe as possible. Fire exit signs are the ideal way to do this.
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Fire equipment signs
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Fire equipment signs are normally
rectangular or square and feature a white symbol and text on a red
background. Red is used to denote danger and they indicate the location of
fire equipment in an emergency situation.
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These signs are installed to
instantly show occupants of a commercial or publically accessed building the
location of fire equipment, such as fire alarms, fire extinguishers, fire
hoses and emergency stop buttons.
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In order to comply with fire
safety regulations, you must make sure all fire equipment is easy to identify
and simple to access, and these signs make locating equipment much easier.
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First aid signs
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First aid signs are usually oblong
and feature a white image and writing on a green background. Green and white
are used when there is no danger and they symbolise first aid practices and
safety procedures.
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Used to mark and distinguish where
first aid equipment is located, these signs offer simple instructions. They
can also give more detailed information, such as who the relevant first-aider
is and emergency instructions for people with disabilities.
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If you are in charge of business
premises or a public property, you are legally obliged to ensure people are
as safe as possible whilst within it. This includes installing signs which
detail first aid procedures and these should conform to BS 5499.
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Safe condition signs
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Similar to first aid signs, safe
condition signs are green and white to denote safety procedures and no
danger. They feature a white symbol and text of the action or instruction on
a green background.
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Safe condition signs are installed
to indicate acceptable behaviours and if a course of action is safe to take.
They usually detail instructions such as safe drinking water, emergency eye
wash and designated smoking areas.
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These signs are designed to fulfil
your legal obligation to inform occupants of the building of safe actions and
procedures. In order to fully comply with your requirements, they should
conform to BS 5499.
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Mandatory signs
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Mandatory signs are normally
circular or oblong and are blue and white. These colours symbolise a
specific, mandatory action or behaviour which must be undertaken by the
reader.
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These signs have been created to
reduce the risk of danger by detailing safety instructions such as ‘fire door
keep shut’, ‘wash hands’ and ‘wear gloves’. They aim to eradicate hazards by
commanding certain behaviours.
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Mandatory signs are required by
law in order to reduce the risks or hazards present within your environment.
They should be placed in obvious locations and, when placed on doors, should
be on both sides.
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