Guide to electrical safety signage
Electrical Safety Signage is a vital part of any commercial, industrial, or multiple occupancy residential property, as it is a simple way to clearly inform anyone of best practices in an emergency.
The type of signage and its placement is subject to strict regulations, to ensure that every building is equipped with a safe and efficient electrical safety system.
Types of signage
The types of Fire Safety Signage are categorised by both type and colour, all indicating different hazards, instructions, and actions.
Warning Signs
As the name suggests, Warning Signage indicates the presence of hazardous substances or circumstances. These can include flammable liquids such as oils, gasses, and other chemicals.
In the case of electrical equipment, these signs are used to indicate areas that contain high voltage equipment, with both generic and specific messaging available, or indicating a risk of electric shock. Warning signs are distinguishable from other similar signage due to their yellow colour and their triangular shape.
Prohibition Signs
A commonly used form of signage in a variety of settings, Prohibition Signage is used to signal the zones in which certain activities cannot occur, either for risk of fire or electrical hazard.
More common forms of these signs include no smoking and no exit, but in the electrical world, these signs include prohibited access in certain zones unless authorised, and not touching electrical equipment, whether that be live or otherwise.
These signs are typically in the format of a white background, featuring a red circle with a line through a diagram of the prohibited action.
Mandatory Signs
The opposite instruction to Prohibition Signage, Mandatory Signage indicates that a certain action must be taken.
This type of signage is often seen on Fire Doors instructing users to keep them shut when not in use, or advising the use of proper personal protective equipment in certain areas. This type of signage is typically blue in colour and are often used in numerous aspects of the trade and in a variety of settings.
Signage Regulations
The regulations around signage are simple but extremely important to ensure that all involved are kept safe and informed at all times.
Note: These regulations apply to any form of safety signage, including fire safety and escape routes
· Appropriate signage must be displayed along all exit routes
· Braille safety signage should also be displayed
· Signage should be visible from a distance and at an accessible height
· Signage must be clear and legible at all times
· Avoid too much signage too close together to avoid confusion
· Safety signage must be placed in accordance with your latest risk assessment
Signage is just one of the many crucial elements involved in making sure that anyone on or off the job are kept safe in both domestic and commercial premises.
