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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Technical Advice => Topic started by: Graham Blight on January 19, 2004, 03:10:52 PM

Title: Fire safety signage
Post by: Graham Blight on January 19, 2004, 03:10:52 PM: Hi,
I am wondering if anyone out there is able to help me. I am dealing with ASDA super markets and I'm having trouble with the fire exit signage. Asda's corporate colours are green and therefore make it very difficult to see the approved signage as required under the Safety signs and signals regs, some while ago I was lead to believe that under a risk assessment it would be appropriate to change the colour of the signage so it could be easily seen, I am unable to find this information and so unsure whether or not it is allowable. If this was allowed, it would prove both advantageous to both Asda and the fire authority. Any suggestions?
Title: Fire safety signage
Post by: MShaw on January 19, 2004, 08:15:26 PM: Can't these signs be mounted within a 'frame' of a contrasting colour, similar to the way in which UK road signs are black text on a white background, framed (& thereby highlighted) in red?
Title: Fire safety signage
Post by: Guest on January 20, 2004, 04:31:35 PM: suggest you highlight the signs with perhaps yellow black chevron tape
Title: Fire safety signage
Post by: Chris Houston on January 20, 2004, 06:24:19 PM: I'd say look at this as part of the fire risk assessment and conclude that something like the above suggestion of yellow and black tape, or a painted red background would be appropriate. Paint might last longer than tape and red is the colour that contrasts best with green (for those who's who can't remeber their colour wheel from the art lessons.)
Title: Fire safety signage
Post by: AnthonyB on January 22, 2004, 03:47:58 PM: The actual sign would still have to be green and white with a white border to meet the signage regulations, but there's nothing to stop you mounting the sign on a contrasting background.

I don't think black & yellow tiger stripe tape would go down very well with the store as it would not look good aesthetically and have that "temporay repair" look to it.

The best solution as mentioned would be to paint a red rectangle slightly larger than the sign so there would be a contrasting red border (and fire exit signs used to be red anyway).

Incidentally, are you using the horrible and useless EC Eurogram or the better ISO (& thus EC) approved BS symbol found in BS 5499?
Title: Fire safety signage
Post by: Jim Creak on January 23, 2004, 05:43:57 AM: Good contrast can be acheived by increasing the Border size of the Signboard. I would not normally advertise but Jalite have manufactured special signs for large distribution centres and department stores with similar decor conflict. www.jalite.com
Title: Fire safety signage
Post by: Guest on February 16, 2004, 09:49:20 AM: I too had similar problems at a clients premises :rolleyes:

As everyone has mentioned above go with a red border - try for the reflective type as this really stands out without being to obtrusive against the general decor.
Title: Fire safety signage
Post by: BB on August 25, 2007, 01:54:01 AM: Dealt with an Asda store myself, new build about 3 years ago. Had big diffculty in addressing signage. Eventually agreed to signage and a stingant mangement procedure in case of evuacation. trialled it a number of times very effective. Both parties pleased with outcome!!!
Title: Fire safety signage
Post by: John Webb on August 25, 2007, 11:08:32 AM: Graham,
Re the suggestions about adding a red border - some 10% of the male population is red/green colour blind and can have problems distinguishing between the two. Would suggest an enlarged White border as per Jim Creak, or possibly a border of black and white squares to improve contrast?