The ultimate fire safety sign and stand checklist

All responsible person(s) of a business, or commercial property owners, have a legal obligation to provide customers, employees, and visitors with adequate fire safety signs, UK regulations stipulate. Not having the correct fire and safety signs in place is against the law – it can hinder building users’ ability to escape and prevent them from knowing what actions to take in the event of a fire.

Likewise, those responsible should also ensure fire extinguishers are in full working order, as set out by BS 5306 Standards. To comply, installation of fire extinguisher stands and cabinets can help to protect units, reducing maintenance and the possibility of vandalism, theft, or corrosion.

Here, we outline how to cover both of these fire safety regulations. First, by identifying fire safety sign colours and symbols needed to guide people to safety in an emergency, and secondly by protecting fire safety equipment with quality fire extinguisher stands (that also display signage).

Getting the right fire and safety signs in place 

As set by The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO), all responsible person(s) are required to ‘make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to which relevant persons are exposed’. This is applicable to all premises, particularly workplaces, building sites, hospitality venues, and other public access environments. A fire risk assessment will highlight said risks, and will show the necessary fire safety signs required. These include:

• Red signs for fire safety. When there is danger, think red. These fire and safety signs are used to indicate the location of fire equipment and how to use it, such as fire blankets and fire extinguisher ID signs. Our fire extinguisher ID signs cover the legal requirements needed to identify different types of fire extinguishers (including foam, water, powder, CO2, and wet chemical), as well as the classes of fire a unit can or cannot be used on.
• Blue signs for fire safety. The most common blue fire safety sign is the fire door sign stating ‘keep shut’ in white text. But what do blue signs mean in fire safety? Put simply, these are used to show mandatory actions to take in the event of a fire, to keep everyone as safe as possible.
• Green signs for fire safety. Often suspended from the ceiling or fixed to a wall, green fire safety signs are used to denote emergency escapes, including fire exit signs and fire assembly point

All CheckFire fire safety signs are photoluminescent to ensure they’re seen in even the lowest visible conditions, particularly in cases where electricity is lost. A large amount of our extensive fire safety sign range is available for less, with bulk buy offers for trade customers.

Staying compliant with fire extinguisher stands 

Every CheckFire fire extinguisher stand is designed to protect units from a wide range of potential risks that lead to equipment being damaged and therefore non-compliant. The type of stand required can depend on the results of a fire risk assessment, such as the amount of fire extinguishers that are needed on hand (we always have double and single fire extinguisher stands in stock). It’s also dependent on where fire extinguishers will be located and how the stand will be installed. High quality fire extinguisher stands include:

• Commander fire extinguisher stands

Our ABS plastic fire extinguisher stands by Commander are available for single or double unit storage, with high resistance to knocks and bumps. Designed to offer robust strength and durability with obvious and easy access, these stands are perfect for most fire extinguishers. Each has a dedicated area for signage, and Commander stand inserts can also be used for additional protection.

• Tubular fire extinguisher stands
  

Available as single or double fire extinguisher stands, our tubular range blends safety and style for a sleek aesthetic, with strong and lightweight designs that are easily transported. From classic red to minimal white, or even the more luxurious colourways of antique copper, stainless steel, and polished gold, tubular fire extinguisher stands provide an obvious fire point with a dedicated area for signage, all without encroaching on interior design.

Signs and stands go hand in hand 

 In the event of a fire, it’s vital that everyone knows how to use fire extinguishers on a stand. With various for different classes of fire, fire extinguisher ID signs are imperative to inform users what class of fire a unit can and cannot be used on. Our fire extinguisher stands provide designated spaces for fire safety signs, available in a range of finishes to ensure stylistic continuity. Selected signs are also available in Contempo finishes, to deliver matching metallic aesthetics while remaining fully functional and compliant.

Knowing what fire safety signs mean is crucial to staying compliant. Download the newly updated version of our fire safety sign guide, which provides a clear overview of need-to-know fire safety signs and symbols, straight to your device. For more regular updates on UK legislations and fire safety advice, subscribe to our free newsletter.