BS 5499 covers all safety warning signs, including fire safety signs and is compatable with the Health & Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.
There are many types of fire and H&S warning signs, detailed below is a quick guide to fire warning signs.
BS 5499 Part 4:
BS 5499 part 4 is devoted to escape route signing and while good sign design practice is important, the correct application and positioning of these signs is of equal significance to ensure an effective signing system is in place. The size and positioning of these signs within a building should form a major part of the package of any fire risk assessment. The standard also clearly identifies and advises on all aspects of the design of an effective escape route signing system.
Important points to consider are:
- Sign type, the signs size and respective viewing distance requirements
- Construction durability and suitability
- Illustrations (the use of the safety signs)
- The use of arrows to indicate direction of travel
The standard also deals with the issues associated with designing a coordinated system of signing throughout any given building or workplace environment whether it be internal or external.
The code of practice (COP), outlines areas that need to be addressed in considering the overall design, including:
- Results of any suitable fire risk assessment
- Requirements (if any) of relevant enforcing authorities
- Operational needs of the building’s managers
- Convenience of the users of the building, including staff, guests, visitors or, the general public
Only through the consideration of these factors can an effective design system for escape route signing be achieved. Other considerations pertaining to other hazardous materials will also be required to be taken into account, which can be further achieved by a safety signs audit or a suitable & sufficient fire risk assessment.
Please Contact Us for your premises Fire Risk Assessment.
