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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Technical Advice => Topic started by: Phillip L on October 13, 2005, 12:08:09 PM

Title: Exit Signage
Post by: Phillip L on October 13, 2005, 12:08:09 PM
Can anyone confirm the correct signage that should be displayed at an exit where persons are expected to go through and ahead.

I believe it to be an Arrow pointing up, but I keep seeing an arrow pointing down in brand new buildings.I believe this to mean go through and down.
Can someone please enlighten me.
Thank you
Phillip
Title: Exit Signage
Post by: peanut on October 13, 2005, 12:46:15 PM
Arrow pointing up.
Title: Exit Signage
Post by: Graeme on October 13, 2005, 05:53:46 PM
some manufacturers only make signs with arrows down,left and right. A bit silly really.

Peanut is corrrect.
Title: Exit Signage
Post by: ian gough on October 13, 2005, 07:03:37 PM
If we don't know here, what hope have members of the public? I always thought this was daft!
Title: Exit Signage
Post by: Chris Houston on October 13, 2005, 07:46:24 PM
Quote from: ian gough
If we don't know here, what hope have members of the public? I always thought this was daft!

We do know, it's up.
Title: Exit Signage
Post by: Graeme on October 13, 2005, 08:07:49 PM
If we were on about the old BS2650 format with Exit written in PLAIN ENGLISH it may have been easier to understand :D
Title: Exit Signage
Post by: Allen Higginson on October 13, 2005, 08:41:08 PM
...and why do they show a running man when you are told to walk calmly to an exit???
Title: Exit Signage
Post by: Graeme on October 13, 2005, 09:29:24 PM
Quote from: Buzzard905
...and why do they show a running man when you are told to walk calmly to an exit???

good point.
could be a speed walking man
Title: Exit Signage
Post by: Phillip L on October 13, 2005, 09:48:58 PM
Thanks for that confirmation gentlemen
Title: Exit Signage
Post by: Chris Houston on October 14, 2005, 07:39:11 AM
Quote from: Graeme Millar
If we were on about the old BS2650 format with Exit written in PLAIN ENGLISH it may have been easier to understand :D

Well, to be fair, if you don't speak English, it would be somewhat difficult.  Words and pictures seem like the best option to me.
Title: Exit Signage
Post by: Gary Howe on October 14, 2005, 07:55:48 AM
Is this not rather pedantic?, if one views an arrow either pointing up or down, is it not obvious that this means through and ahead. The only time this makes any diffrence is when you are directing people up or down escape stairs, in this case the direction of the arrow is important.

Gary
Title: Exit Signage
Post by: AnthonyB on October 14, 2005, 11:03:02 AM
The original poster asked which was the correct use of the arrow - the respondants replied - it is up, based on BS & ISO standards.

Not being pedantic, just answering the question.

However, when it comes to assessment/inspection, as you say a realistic view must be made. It is a bit OTT to insist on lots of signs & exit boxes being changed just because the arrow is the wrong way up if the message is still clear, correct and without confusion, there are generally more important things to worry about
Title: Exit Signage
Post by: jayjay on October 14, 2005, 12:38:28 PM
Talking obout being pedantic when refering to a "running man" does this mean that the exit is only for men ????.

Seriously though I have been pulled up by certain persons for not refering to it as a running persons.
Title: Exit Signage
Post by: Chris Houston on October 14, 2005, 02:11:03 PM
Quote from: jayjay
a running persons.

Should they not refer to it as "a running person"?
Title: Exit Signage
Post by: ian gough on October 14, 2005, 02:43:30 PM
Well you're OK then Chris; however, I thought that the purpose of signs such as these was to inform the general public! Clearly there are even some persons with an interest in fire safety that do not know.
Title: Exit Signage
Post by: Graeme on October 14, 2005, 04:24:13 PM
Quote from: Chris Houston
Quote from: Graeme Millar
If we were on about the old BS2650 format with Exit written in PLAIN ENGLISH it may have been easier to understand :D

Well, to be fair, if you don't speak English, it would be somewhat difficult.  Words and pictures seem like the best option to me.


that was a light hearted dig at Ian Gough's post.


(If we don't know here, what hope have members of the public?)  post
Title: Exit Signage
Post by: jim on November 14, 2005, 04:24:26 PM
It really is sad that in these days of political correctness that a pictographic sign, which clearly indicated the direction a person escaping to safety must travel, be it pointing ‘up’ or ‘down’, creates so much discussion, when other regulations imposed upon us from our new capital Brussels make life so much more difficult and dangerous. I am eluding to the ridiculous harmonised conductor colours for fixed wiring cables. Has any of these Euronurds tried to make of a junction box in a dimly lit attic or distribution board and tell the difference between blue and black, even in a well lit attic in fact.