Guide — Fire Safety Law
Fire Safety Signage
Fire safety signs are a legal requirement under the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 and the RRO 2005. They must conform to BS ISO 7010 pictograms and be maintained as part of your fire risk assessment. Incorrect or missing signs are among the most common enforcement findings.
Legal basis
The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 require employers to provide appropriate fire safety signs where significant fire risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means. The RRO 2005 requires that escape routes are clearly marked and that fire safety measures are maintained — which includes signage. Both obligations are assessed as part of the fire risk assessment.
Fire safety sign types, standards and placement
| Sign type | Standard | Colour | Where to place | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire exit / escape route | BS ISO 7010 — E001/E002 | Green/white | Above all final exits and at each decision point in escape route | Mandatory |
| Fire action notice | No BS number — content specified by RRO 2005 | Red/white | Adjacent to each fire alarm call point | Mandatory |
| Fire extinguisher ID sign | BS ISO 7010 — F001 | Red/white | Above each extinguisher location | Recommended (best practice) |
| Fire assembly point | BS ISO 7010 — E007 | Green/white | At the assembly point; visible from building exits | Mandatory |
| Fire door — keep shut | BS 5499-10 / BS ISO 7010 | Blue/white | Both faces of every self-closing fire door | Mandatory |
| Fire door — keep locked | BS 5499-10 | Blue/white | Both faces of locked fire doors not on escape routes | Mandatory |
| Do not use lift in fire | BS ISO 7010 — P027 | Red/white | At or inside every passenger lift lobby | Mandatory |
BS ISO 7010 pictograms
All UK fire safety signs must use the ISO 7010 pictogram system — standardised symbols that are internationally recognised regardless of language. The pictogram approach replaced text-only signs to improve comprehension in multi-language workplaces and for visitors. Signs must not use non-standard pictograms or substitute text for the required symbol.
Emergency escape lighting
Signs alone are insufficient if the building loses power during a fire. BS 5266-1 requires emergency escape lighting along all escape routes, with minimum illuminance levels at floor level and at each sign. Escape route lighting must operate for a minimum of one hour (three hours in some buildings) on battery backup. The system must be tested monthly (function test) and annually (full duration test).
For fire door requirements that interact with signage (self-closing mechanisms, door keep-shut signs), see our fire door safety guide. For workplace fire safety duties more broadly, see fire safety in the workplace and the RRO 2005 glossary entry.
Signs for disabled persons and PEEPs
Buildings with refuge areas must display refuge area signs (BS ISO 7010 — E007 variant) and two-way communication point signs. Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for disabled persons must specify how the person will be directed to the refuge and who is responsible. See our fire safety for disabled persons guide and our refuge area glossary entry.
Fire risk assessment and signage
Signage must be reviewed as part of every fire risk assessment. Common failures include: missing signs at corridor junctions; fire action notices that reference an outdated assembly point; fire door signs missing from the leading face of a door; and photo-luminescent signs in areas with insufficient ambient lighting to charge them.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ