The Fire Safety Order was amended in 2020 to ensure signage is easily visible and legible for firefighters trying to navigate their way through buildings, particularly in firefighting shafts and stairways.
Would your wayfinding and safety signage be clear and legible in the case of an emergency?
Clear direction and an understanding of location, particularly in large or tall office blocks and residential towers, is absolutely imperative in emergency situations. In cases where there is a fire and visibility is much reduced due to smoky conditions, firefighters and building occupants need signage that provide crucial navigation during those critical moments.
Smoke can cause disorientation, so an easily navigable wayfinding system massively helps with direction during fire emergencies in order to keep a sense of calm. It is also really helpful during fire evacuation drills. Wayfinding signage is key for Fire and Rescue teams to navigate through buildings in the event of a fire or other emergency.
How old is your signage? Is it compliant?
Wayfinding signage plays a pivotal role during emergency response and evacuations in aiding chances of leaving the building quickly and safety. Signage must be included in any fire safety management plan to be compliant and robust. Rescue operations and chances of survival are greatly reduced if signs are not present, not identifiable or not visible enough. In order for wayfinding signage to make sure that it successfully points evacuation and rescue efforts where they are needed the most, it should be:
- clear
- legible
- easy to read
- understandable
- highly visible
- in prominent locations
- lit adequately
For an inspection and further information contact us: info@cobal.co.uk
