Understanding the 5 Main Categories of Fire Signage
Fire safety signage cuts through the chaos—directing people to safety, equipment, and clear actions when every second counts.
Whether you’re managing an office, school, or shop, the right fire signs aren’t optional. They’re lifesaving.
Here’s everything by the team of 1 Stop Signs, you need to know to get it right.
What Are Fire Safety Signs?
Fire safety signage refers to specially designed signs that communicate important safety information in the event of a fire.
Whether it’s guiding occupants to the nearest fire exit, highlighting the location of fire-fighting equipment, or warning about potential hazards, fire signs are a crucial part of any building’s safety strategy.
They don’t just make workplaces, schools, public spaces, and residential buildings safer—they also help organisations stay compliant with health and safety laws.
Why Are Fire Signs Important?
In the confusion of a fire emergency, visibility and understanding are everything. Fire safety signs:
- Direct people quickly to exits
- Indicate where fire extinguishers and alarms are located
- Warn about flammable materials or high-risk areas
- Reassure occupants with clear instructions
Under the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 in the UK, it’s a legal obligation for businesses to display the appropriate fire signage.
The Different Types of Fire Safety Signs
Understanding the different categories of fire signage can help you choose the right signs for your environment.
The 5 categories for fire safety signs include Prohibition Signs, Warning Signs, Mandatory Signs, Emergency Exit Signs and Fire Equipment Signs
Here’s a breakdown:
1. Prohibition Signs
- Colour: A white background featuring a bold red circle crossed by a diagonal line
- Purpose: Highlight actions that are strictly forbidden to reduce fire risks
- Examples: “No Smoking”, “No Open Flames”, “No Entry for Unauthorised Persons”
Prohibition signs exist to stop actions that might create fire risks or make emergencies worse. The instantly recognisable red circle with a diagonal line acts as a universal warning: “Do not do this.”
You’ll typically see these signs near flammable storage areas, petrol stations, or places where ignition sources must be strictly controlled.
2. Warning Signs
- Colour: Vibrant yellow background outlined with a black border and displaying black graphics.
- Purpose: Alert individuals to potential fire-related dangers in an area
- Examples: “Highly Flammable”, “Explosive Risk”, “Oxygen in Use”
Warning signs are all about caution. Their yellow colour immediately draws attention, signalling that there’s a risk present that could cause or worsen a fire.
Placed in areas like chemical stores, gas cylinder rooms, or industrial zones, these signs help people stay alert and take extra care.
3. Mandatory Signs
- Colour: Blue circle with white pictograms or text
- Purpose: Tell people the specific actions they must carry out to stay safe
- Examples: “Keep Fire Door Shut”, “Use Fire Exit Only”, “Wear Protective Equipment”
Unlike warning or prohibition signs, mandatory signs don’t just advise—they instruct.
They indicate behaviours that are legally required to minimise fire risks or improve emergency response.
For example, keeping a fire door shut can slow the spread of smoke and flames, giving occupants more time to evacuate safely.
4. Emergency Exit Signs
- Colour: Green background with white pictograms or text
- Purpose: Guide individuals swiftly towards designated exits and escape paths during critical situations
- Examples: “Fire Exit →”, “Exit via Stairs”, “Assembly Point”
Emergency exit signs play a vital role in ensuring safe and organised evacuations during fires or other emergencies..
Green is universally associated with safety, and these signs provide clear directions to the nearest safe exit.
They are often installed above doors, along hallways, and at decision points within buildings, ensuring that even first-time visitors can find their way out quickly.
5. Fire Equipment Signs
- Colour: Red background with white icons or text
- Purpose: Identify the location of essential fire-fighting equipment
- Examples: “Fire Extinguisher”, “Fire Hose Reel”, “Fire Alarm Call Point”
During a fire emergency, immediate access to equipment can make the difference between control and catastrophe.
Fire equipment signs make it easy to spot life-saving tools like extinguishers, hose reels, and alarm points.
They’re usually mounted above or adjacent to the equipment itself and sometimes combined with instructions for use, helping people take quick, decisive action to control small fires before they escalate.
Fire Safety Signs Colour Code
The standardisation of fire signs using colours makes them instantly recognisable:
Understanding the fire sign colour codes is essential for quick action and safety compliance.
| Colour | Meaning | Example |
| Green | Safe Condition | Fire Exit Signs |
| Red | Fire Equipment | Fire Extinguishers |
| Blue | Mandatory Action | Keep Fire Door Shut |
| Yellow | Warning | Flammable Materials |
Placement of Fire Safety Signs
Correct positioning of fire safety signage is just as important as using the right signs. Some best practices include:
- Signs must be visible at all times, even in poor visibility conditions.
- Install signs along escape routes at regular intervals.
- Ensure that fire exit signage is visible from any point in a corridor or large room.
- Use supplementary signs (like arrows) to aid direction if the exit is not immediately obvious.
A fire sign hidden behind a door or obscured by furniture is a sign that doesn’t save lives.
Legal Compliance: What You Must Know
UK fire signage must comply with:
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 199
- BS EN ISO 7010 Standards (pictograms)
You must:
- Use internationally recognised symbols
- Maintain signs in good condition
- Review and update signage during regular fire risk assessments
Ignoring these rules can lead to heavy fines—and worse, preventable injuries.
Fire Signage Maintenance
Keeping fire signs properly maintained is just as crucial as having them installed.
Maintenance checklist:
- Check signs regularly for wear, fading, or damage
- Replace signs immediately if symbols or text become unclear
- Ensure lights above exit signage are working
- Review signage during fire risk assessments, especially after layout changes
A broken or unreadable sign during an emergency could cause chaos and liability.
Conclusion
Investing in the right fire safety signage isn’t just a box-ticking exercise—it’s a critical step toward creating a safer environment for everyone.
From clearly marked fire exit signs to essential fire equipment signage, each sign plays a role in protecting life, limiting damage, and staying compliant with the law. Whether you’re managing an office, school, retail store, or warehouse, understanding and implementing correct fire signage is a responsibility you can’t afford to overlook.