Office Safety Signs Checklist: What You Need | SafetySignHub

Office Safety Signs: A Simple Checklist for Peace of Mind

Get your office safety signage sorted quickly and easily with our practical guide.

Typical signs needed: 15-30
Time to read: 8 mins
Difficulty: Easy

Essential Office Signs: The Basics You Need

Every office needs a baseline level of safety signage to ensure the well-being of employees and visitors. These are the absolute essentials you'll want to have in place.

You'll need to clearly mark fire safety equipment and exits. Also, ensure everyone knows where to find first aid and any areas where smoking is prohibited.

Fire Safety: Fire exit signs are your top priority.
First Aid: A first aid sign clearly indicates the location of your first aid kit.
Smoking: No smoking signs are essential to comply with smoking regulations.

Item	Quantity	Notes
Fire exit signs	2-10	Required at each exit point. See our Fire Exit Signs: How Many? guide.
Fire action notice	1-3	Place near fire alarm call points.
First aid sign	1-2	Clearly mark first aid kit location.
No smoking signs	2-4	Place at entrances and designated smoking areas.

Quick Tip: For fire exit signs, photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) material is highly recommended for enhanced visibility during emergencies.

Next, let's plan your fire escape routes.

Fire Escape Routes: Clearly Marking Your Exits

Clear and unambiguous fire escape routes are crucial for a safe evacuation. You'll need to strategically place fire exit signs to guide people to safety. Consider the size of your office and the complexity of the layout when determining the number of signs needed.

Start with a fire exit sign above each final exit door leading to the outside. Then, place directional fire exit signs along corridors and at junctions to guide people towards the exits. Don't forget fire door keep shut signs on all fire doors.

For larger offices, consider using larger sign sizes (e.g., 450x150mm) for increased visibility, especially in areas with longer viewing distances. Mount signs at a consistent height (around 2 metres) for easy recognition. If your office is in a shared building, coordinate fire safety signage with the building management to ensure consistency and clarity.

Item	Quantity	Notes
Fire exit signs	2-10	Place above each final exit door and along escape routes. 300x100mm is standard, go larger for 20m+ viewing.
Fire door keep shut signs	Per fire door	Essential for maintaining fire compartmentation.
Assembly point sign	1	Clearly mark the designated assembly point outside the building.
Fire extinguisher signs	2-6	Place above each fire extinguisher. Ensure visibility from all angles.

Quick Tip: Walk your escape route yourself to identify any potential blind spots or areas where additional signage might be needed.

Let's cover meeting rooms and other common areas.

Meeting Rooms & Common Areas: Covering All Spaces

Don't overlook meeting rooms, kitchens, and other common areas. While they may not require as much signage as escape routes, some key signs are still essential for safety and compliance. Especially in kitchen areas, consider prohibition signs for specific hazards.

In meeting rooms, ensure fire exit signs are visible, especially if the room is large or has multiple exits. In kitchens, use prohibition signs to indicate hazards such as 'No Access for Unauthorised Personnel' or 'Caution Hot Surfaces'. For larger offices, consider posting a first aid sign in common areas where accidents are more likely to occur.

For shared kitchens, it's a good idea to have signs reminding people to clean up after themselves and to dispose of waste properly.

Item	Quantity	Notes
Fire exit signs	As needed	Ensure visibility in meeting rooms, especially those with multiple exits.
Prohibition signs	As needed	Use in kitchens to indicate hazards (e.g., 'No Unauthorised Access').
First aid sign	1	Consider placing in a central common area.

Quick Tip: Consider using pictograms (symbols) on your signs to make them easily understandable, regardless of language.

Now let's look at car park and external areas.

Car Park & External Areas: Outdoor Signage

Don't forget about the exterior of your office building! Car parks and other external areas also require appropriate safety signage. This includes everything from directing traffic to highlighting potential hazards.

In the car park, you'll need signs to indicate parking spaces, disabled parking bays, and traffic flow. Consider prohibition signs to prevent parking in restricted areas. Near entrances, safe condition signs can indicate pedestrian walkways or designated smoking areas. Ensure all outdoor signs are weather-resistant and highly visible.

If you have delivery areas, clearly mark them with appropriate signage, including any weight restrictions or safety instructions.

Item	Quantity	Notes
Prohibition signs	As needed	Use to prevent parking in restricted areas or indicate no entry.
Safe condition signs	As needed	Mark pedestrian walkways and designated smoking areas.

Quick Tip: Use reflective materials for outdoor signs to enhance visibility at night.

Let's talk about DSE and employee wellbeing signs.

DSE & Wellbeing Signs: Supporting Employee Health

While not strictly mandatory, signs promoting good Display Screen Equipment (DSE) practices and general wellbeing can contribute to a healthier and more productive work environment. These signs can reinforce training and encourage employees to take breaks and maintain good posture.

Consider signs reminding employees to take regular breaks from their screens, adjust their chairs and monitors for optimal ergonomics, and report any DSE-related discomfort. You could also display signs promoting mental health resources or encouraging employees to stay hydrated. These signs can be particularly effective in break rooms and near workstations.

Item	Quantity	Notes
Ergonomic reminder signs	As needed	Place near workstations to encourage good posture and screen breaks.
Wellbeing information signs	As needed	Place in break rooms to provide mental health and wellness resources.

Quick Tip: Involve employees in the selection and placement of wellbeing signs to increase their engagement and effectiveness.

Ready to put together your office sign package?

Complete Buying Checklist

Use this checklist when ordering your office safety signs:

Fire Safety

Product	Qty	Size	Material
Fire exit signs	2-10	300x100mm	Photoluminescent
Fire action notice	1-3	A4	Rigid Plastic
Fire door keep shut signs	Per fire door	75x200mm	Self-adhesive

First Aid

Product	Qty	Size	Material
First aid sign	1-2	150x150mm	Rigid Plastic

Prohibition

Product	Qty	Size	Material
No smoking signs	2-4	150x150mm	Rigid Plastic

Safe Condition

Product	Qty	Size	Material
Assembly point sign	1	300x200mm	Rigid Plastic

Estimated Total: 15-30 signs, approximately £200-400

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need safety signs even for a small office of 10 people?

Yes, even a small office needs essential safety signs like fire exit signs, a first aid sign, and no smoking signs. The number of signs needed will be less than a larger office, but the principles remain the same: clear, visible signage is crucial for safety.

What if my office is in a shared building with other companies?

Coordinate with the building management to ensure consistent fire safety signage throughout the building. Your internal signage should complement the building's overall safety plan. Ensure your staff knows the building's fire evacuation procedures and assembly point location.

Do I need different signs for meeting rooms?

Meeting rooms need clear fire exit signs, especially if the room is large or has multiple exits. Consider the room's layout and potential occupancy when determining the number and placement of signs.

Ready to order?

You now have a clear understanding of the safety signs your office needs. Browse our selection and create a safe and compliant workplace.

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