Emergency evacuation signs in your businesses building is vital to the safety of yourself, your employees and visitors. This point about the safety of others is emphasized, as it is a requirement by law to have emergency evacuation signage in your building. The below information is educational and will explain what emergency evacuation signage is, why it is important to business, big and small, the requirements of emergency evacuation signage and much more.

What is emergency evacuation signage?

Firstly, what is an emergency evacuation signage or also known as, evacuation route signage? An emergency evacuation sign can be a pictogram or a short text sign, in a public facility, that indicates to occupants of the building where the nearest emergency exit is located. These emergency exits can be used in case of fire, danger or any other emergency that requires rapid evacuation.

Evacuation route signage must have illumination so people can clearly see and easily find their way to the nearest emergency exit. As well as being able to see the sign in cases of a power outage so light is still being provided. In cases of illumination, there are two types of emergency evacuation signage: incandescent and photoluminescent. Incandescent emergency evacuation signage use light bulbs to illuminate the signs. While photoluminescent signs use a glow in the dark material to illuminate the sign.

In recent times evacuation route signage have shifted from traditional text signs towards being represented as a pictogram. This ensures that everyone, no matter their age and language, can interpret the sign and reach safety through the emergency exit. Pictograms are more universal in their communication.

The importance of evacuation route signage

Evacuation safety and emergencies

In cases of emergency, time is of the essence. It is easy for panic to set in, and people are often unable to think logically and stay calm in high-stress situations. Well-lit, evacuation route signage will help reduce time spent searching for an emergency exit in times of immense panic and confusion. The lighting will also help if there has been a power outage, or a fire has generated smoke that fills the building.

Emergency evacuation signage is especially important for first time visitors who are not familiar with the layout of the building, or for employees who do not know where their emergency exits are. Furthermore, having a large crowd of first timers can be risky if emergency evacuation signage cannot be seen or are not installed. Having well-lit, well maintained and clear emergency evacuation signage will assist in saving time and the lives of many occupants in the emergency.

Additionally, the number of emergency exit routes your building has is determined by building size, the number of people who use it, and the type of occupancy. Therefore, a large office building that has hundreds of employees will need more exit routes than a small retail store.

Not only do clearly illuminated emergency evacuation signage and doorways help employees and visitors, but they also help first responders and paramedics. Whether that being entering or exiting the building, without signs it can take the first responders and paramedics more crucial and unnecessary time to discover clear access and emergency routes. This puts many lives at risk and increases danger.

Penalties

In most areas, businesses are required by law to have emergency evacuation signage that follow local fire codes. If these laws are not followed, and special attention is not given to the installation of safety signs, legal action can be taken. This can be in the form of penalties, fines and more, which will be discussed further below. Although there are many rules and regulations around fire safety signs, workplace safety is one of the most important. If these legal and law required regulations are not followed, you and your business risk consequences such as fines, imprisonment, loss of staff and productivity. All of which can lead to permanent closure of your business and a loss of income.

Not only does installing evacuation route signage keep your employees and visitors safe, but they also protect the reputation of your business. Some Organizations opt for photoluminescent fire exit signs. If your business does not have adequate evacuation route signage (which should be mandatory signage), it may be perceived as irresponsible. And as stated above, you will be held accountable in the event of an accident or injury. Having clear and maintained evacuation route signage shows your employees that you take them and their safety seriously. That their lives are valuable and should be protected and assisted in cases of emergencies.

If your emergency evacuation signage are not visible, are obstructed or not working correctly according to safety regulations, you may be held liable for accidents, injures or death that occurred during the emergency in your businesses building. You avoid the risk of liability claims by having and abiding to emergency evacuation signage regulations.

Regulations and safety

To ensure you don’t risk the above consequences, here are some tips to follow when installing emergency evacuation signage:

1. Install the proper size signs. emergency evacuation signage sizes differ depending on where you are from, so researching local regulations before purchasing your signs will save you time and money.
2. Keep your signs illuminated always. Using LED bulbs and attaching a backup battery keeps your signs always illuminated. By doing this, your emergency evacuation signage become energy efficient and last longer compared to options such as fluorescent lighting. Again, saving you money.
3. Make sure all exit doors are cleared and accessible. Meaning your doorways can’t be blocked by any obstacles such as cleaning carts, boxes etc. Even if there isn’t an emergency, the exits must be cleared. Additionally, the doors must be unlocked from the inside and no alarm or security devices can be attached that will restrict access in an emergency.
4. Showcase clear and understandable directional signs. This means installing braille exit signs in hallways, staircases and door latches so that every employee and visitor can find the nearest exit.
5. The emergency evacuation signage must be visible halfway between the exit and the next closest fire exit. Meaning, if someone is halfway between two exits, the sign must remain clear, visible and legible.
6. Regarding the point above, if there are obstructions, secondary emergency evacuation signage is required. This ensures employees and visitors can be guided to the nearest exit.
7. If the emergency evacuation signage used text instead of a pictogram, the text must be plain and legible, with an adequate contrast between other letters and text in the background of the building.

Inspection Checklist

With installing evacuation route signage, comes inspecting the signs after installation and when there are problems. Regular maintenance is required to ensure everything is a working order. The number of inspections and maintenance will vary depending on the type of evacuation route signage and the environment in which it is being used. That being said, most signs should be inspected at least annually and maintained every six years. Below are ways to ensure your sign is being appropriately inspected:

1. Get a Fire Exit Inspection Checklist or use an app that complies with the relevant inspection checklist details.
2. Familiarize yourself with your building’s door components. This means that in cases of emergency and panic, people know how to operate the door type and its components to avoid wasting valuable time.
3. Contact your local building code enforcement to determine the regulations in your area.
4. Inspect all exits for evacuation route signage, and make sure they meet the regulation requirements in your area.
5. Document all exit route doors, signs, emergency lights, and other items noted on the Fire Inspection Checklist or other valid checklist.
6. If anything is missing or broken it needs to be repaired or replaced. Leaving something broken or missing will put people in danger later on, risking the lives of your employees and visitors.

Fire alarms and fire escape plans

In addition to proper evacuation route signage, your building should have a fire alarm system and a fire escape plan. These two safety precautions are two of the most important safety measures that protect people from fire and utilize emergency exit and its signs.

A fire alarm is a device that detects the presence of fire and sounds an alarm to alert the people in the facility there is danger. Fire alarms can be used in homes, businesses, and other buildings. A fire escape plan is a document with clear printable safety signs, that outlines the steps people should take to evacuate a building in the event of a fire. This document should include information such as the location of the fire alarms, emergency exits, and meeting points outside of the building. Fire escape plans should be practiced and reviewed regularly to ensure the safety of your employees.

The fire escape plan you use should be comprehensive and have at least two ways to get out of the building with clear emergency exit signs. This means if one way is blocked or obstructed, there is an alternative route one can take to exit the building and meet at the meeting spot. A meeting spot is necessary as it allows a supervisor to take attendance and make sure everyone has made it out of the building. Or if first responders should go searching for specific people stuck in the building.

Additionally, your fire escape plan should include tips and techniques for dealing with a fire in your workplace. An important technique to know is “stop, drop and roll”, and these tips and techniques should be placed by fire extinguishers , fire alarms and sprinklers so that people who pass them can educate themselves on proper fire safety. While clear evacuation route signage saves time and reduces stress during high-stress situations, having an effective and practiced fire escape plan will do the same. Think safety signs and equipment.

Moreover, your fire escape plan can decrease the chances of people getting lost or injured during a fire. And fire escape plans help firefighters do their job. When firefighters know where the fire is and where people are located, they can more effectively put out the fire and rescue people still in the building.

Fire Safety Checklist

The following checklist is comprehensive, but can reduce danger and risk in your workplace:

1. You have monitored fire alarms that are connected to your local Fire Emergency centers.
2. There are fire extinguishers and other necessary fire safety equipment in the building, and key staff have been trained to use them.
3. Your building has a working fire hose reel that can be accessed and used by emergency services when they arrive at the scene.
4. Electrical wiring, equipment or appliances are in good condition and well maintained. Reducing the risk of starting accidental fires.
5. An evacuation plan has been created and approved by local Fire Emergency centers.
6. Employees understand the fire escape plan and can put it into action during an emergency. This means practicing the approved fire escape plan is non-negotiable.
7. There is adequate fencing around your workplace to prevent dangers such as arson.
8. As well as keeping things such as dumpsters, waste and anything that can be set on fire away from your workplace building.
9. Regarding the two point above, your building should have security lighting and surveillance to scare away anyone who may want to endanger your workplace.
10. Emergency exits must be clear of obstructions and obstacles.
11. There is not rubbish and waste in the stairways and hallways.

Based on all the information and tips mentioned above, it is evident that evacuation route signage emergency exits, and fire escape plans are essential safety measures that can help save the lives of your employees and visitors in the event of an emergency or fire. To summarize, adhering to safety regulations help people evacuate the building quickly, safely and efficiently. As well as minimizing panic and stress.

These safety regulations are only effective if used properly. Therefore, emergency evacuation signage should be inspected and maintained, fire alarms must be installed, fire extinguishers must be added throughout the building and fire escape plan must be practiced. As well as having key staff trained be trained in using fire safety equipment.