Fire Door Signs Buying Guide
In the UK, Fire Door signs are legally required to be displayed on all Fire Doors. This ensures they are easily identifiable, informs people of mandatory actions to take around Fire Doors, and assist in a quick and efficient evacuation during an emergency.
Fire door signage is crucial for safeguarding individuals and ensuring the proper maintenance and use of your building’s fire doors.
Why are Fire Door Signs Important?
Fire door signs are critically important in fire safety. They fulfil several key functions, including:
- Identification: Fire door signs assist in recognising fire doors, clarifying which doors are integral to a fire escape plan and which should remain shut or locked.
- Instruction: These signs provide guidance on handling fire doors, including whether to keep them closed or unobstructed and if they are emergency exits.
- Safety: Fire door signs convey vital information on Fire Door maintenance and every day use. By ensuring Fire Doors are properly maintained on a daily basis, they help enhance the efficiency of an evacuation in an emergency.
Fire Door Signs contribute to maintaining the desired effect of Fire Doors as passive fire safety measures - for example, a Fire Door with a “Fire Door Keep Shut” sign reinforces the need to keep doors closed when not in use, so should a fire break out the closed door is able to contain the blaze until a full evacuation is complete.
UK Fire Door Sign Regulations
In the UK, the identified responsible persons are legally bound to ensure fire safety measures - including fire door signage, are in place and maintained. Non-compliance can result in fines or imprisonment depending on the severity of the infraction.
What Regulations do I Need to Know About?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO): This law assigns the "responsible person" the duty to maintain fire safety measures, including proper signage. Scotland's Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 contains similar provisions.
A responsible person may be identified as an organisation or individual who owns or has a legal obligation to repair any common areas of the building. Examples of responsible persons (can also be referred to as accountable persons) are:
- Freeholder or Estate Owner
- Landlord (this would include local authorities, social housing, and private sector landlords)
- Management company
- Resident management company
- Right to manage company
- Commonhold association
- Owner of the building
Once identified, they are personally responsible for:
- Reporting safety occurrences to the Building Safety Regulator
- Ensure occupants/users of the building are aware of any safety information about the building (e.g. fire exit routes, equipment locations etc.)
- Maintain, update, and manage the buildings safety case (if applicable)
- Keep information about the building (i.e. principal designers, contractors etc.)
- Manage and maintain buildings safety - including risk assessments, and maintaining safety equipment etc.
Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022: Effective from January 2023, Fire Door guidance was updated, as a response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry's Phase 1 recommendations and emphasises the importance of well-maintained and identified fire doors.
BS 5499: Details the design, location, and use of fire safety signs, including fire door signs, to ensure consistency and comprehension.
BS EN ISO 7010: This regulation offers a directive on safety sign and symbol design, with a comprehensive list of compliant safety symbols for uniformity throughout Europe to ensure language barriers are irrelevant in safety signage.
Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996: This regulation outlines safety signage colour schemes and references/defers to BS EN ISO 7010.
These standards aim for consistent and effective communication of crucial safety information and guide responsible parties.
Where do I need to position Fire Door Signs?
Effective fire door signs must be strategically positioned and visible. Considerations include:
- Height: Place signs at a height of 1.5 to 2.0 meters off the ground for easy visibility on both sides of an internal Fire Door.
- Visibility: Ensure signs are always unobstructed by objects or decorations.
- Illumination: Use illuminated signs or emergency lighting in dim areas. Photoluminescent signs retain light for a limited duration, depending on exposure and PSPA class (Photoluminescent Safety Products Association).
- Language and Symbols: Use clear, universally recognised symbols and text. You should also consider bilingual signage for use in Wales where it’s legally required, or if a notable portion of your staff/residents are multi-lingual, providing dual-language signage.
What Fire Door Sign Should I Get?
There are many different Fire Door signs that utilise different wording depending on the Fire Door they are to be displayed on. Different fire doors will have different requirements that will need to be conveyed on their signage. Below are some examples of more commonly used Fire Door signs:
Fire Door Keep Shut
Frequently used doors must have this sign on both sides. Important to ensure that a fire door is not left open, which in the case of a fire would increase the rate it would spread.
Automatic Fire Door Keep Clear
Automatic fire doors are those that are usually open for ease of access but automatically close in the event of a fire, this sign is needed on both sides of applicable doors.
Fire Escape Keep Clear
This sign is for doors which are at risk of being obstructed. Reminds people to keep the fire door clear of any obstructions to ensure an unhindered evacuation in an emergency.
Fire Door Keep Locked
This instructional sign is suited for doors which need to stay locked so that in the event of a fire it will be contained. Suitable for riser doors or store cupboards.
Although it's generally advised that Fire Doors are to be kept closed, shut or locked when not in use, there are some instances where it's permitted for Fire Doors to remain propped open when an approved device is installed that automatically closes the door when an alarm sounds. For example, a Dorgard Fire Door Retainer allows you to safely and legally keep Fire Doors open, as should an alarm sounds it automatically releases and closes the door. In cases like this, the Fire Door sign must also reflect the use of this type of addition.
What Material Should my Sign be Made From?
There are no specific regulations about the material that a Fire Door sign has to be - just that it is easily legible and utilises the mandatory blue coloured sign graphic. Photoluminescent materials are recommended for Fire Safety signs, as they remain visible in low-light conditions without relying on electricity, which during a fire or emergency evacuation may be cut off. However, if your building has emergency lighting, as long as the sign is easily readable you can choose whatever material you like to suit the aesthetic of your building. Below are a list of common material options:
- Self Adhesive Vinyl: An affordable and easy-to-apply option, suitable for a wide range of surfaces.
- Glow In The Dark: Ideal for areas with low lighting, ensuring visibility and easy detection in emergencies.
- Rigid Plastic: A low-cost rigid material that is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
- Aluminium: A tough, rust-resistant option that combines durability with a sleek, professional appearance.
- Stainless Steel: A premium choice with an easy-to-clean surface, appropriate for areas with high hygiene standards.
