Exit Signs Vs Fire Exit Signs – Which Is Right?
As a general warning to readers of the following, I am afraid to report this article does not reveal a satisfactory or indeed satisfying answer to the question posed above. In many ways it raises more questions than it answers by highlighting the contrast between how the British Standards require Exit doors to be signed against how many fire officers, risk assessors or building owners actually sign up escape routes. Firstly, lets look at what the Standard says. BS 5499 part 4 says that a fire exit is a door that is only ever used in the event of an emergency. Often this door will open outwards, opened by a push pad or push bar. The safety sign that should appear above this fire exit door should show a running man, an upward arrow (as amended in 2000) and the text “Fire Exit”. Equally, the signs that guide evacuees through the building towards this door that is only be used in the event of an emergency should also say “Fire Exit”. However, the door that is used regularly in normal day-t
