Warehouse Safety Signs: The Complete Buying Guide | SafetySignHub

Setting up a safe warehouse? Get your safety signs right.

This guide helps you choose the essential safety signs for your warehouse, so you can buy with confidence.

Typical signs needed: 25-50
Time to read: 8 mins
Difficulty: Easy

The Signs Every Warehouse Needs: Your Legal Checklist

Every warehouse needs a core set of safety signs to comply with regulations and keep your team safe. These are the absolute essentials you'll need to get started.

You'll need to clearly mark fire safety equipment and escape routes, as well as provide general warnings and mandatory PPE instructions. Don't forget basic safety notices like no smoking areas.

Item	Quantity	Notes
Fire exit signs	8-20	Required at all exits. See next section for details.
Fire action notices	2-6	Post near fire alarm call points and assembly points.
Fire extinguisher ID signs	4-10	Above each extinguisher, identifying the type.
First aid location signs	1-3	Clearly mark first aid stations or kits.
Assembly point sign	1-2	Place in designated safe areas outside the building.
No smoking signs	2-4	At entrances and in designated no-smoking areas.

Quick Tip: Consider photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) material for fire safety signs to ensure visibility in emergencies.

Next, let's calculate exactly how many fire exit signs you need.

Fire Exit Signs: How Many and Where to Place Them

Getting fire exit signs right is crucial for a safe evacuation. The number and placement depend on your warehouse layout, but here's a practical guide to get you started.

You'll need a fire exit sign above every fire exit door. If an exit isn't immediately obvious, use directional fire exit signs to guide people. For long corridors, place signs at regular intervals so they're always visible. Consider the viewing distance when choosing sign sizes. 300x100mm is standard, but go larger (e.g., 450x150mm) for viewing distances over 20 metres.

Item	Quantity	Notes
Fire exit signs	8-20	One above each fire exit door. Use running man symbol.
Fire exit directional signs	As needed	Place along escape routes, with arrows indicating direction.

Quick Tip: Walk your escape routes! Have someone stand at the furthest point and check if all exit signs are clearly visible.

Now let's look at signs for managing vehicles and forklifts.

Fork Truck & Vehicle Areas: Managing Traffic Safely

Warehouses are busy places, and managing vehicle traffic is essential to prevent accidents. Clear signage is a must to keep forklifts and pedestrians separate.

Use fork truck warning signs to alert pedestrians to forklift operating areas. These should be large and visible, typically 400x300mm or larger depending on viewing distance. Implement speed limit signs to control vehicle speeds within the warehouse. Consider using floor signs and floor marking tape to create dedicated pedestrian walkways and forklift lanes. Place signs at entrances to vehicle operating areas and at regular intervals along walkways.

Item	Quantity	Notes
Fork truck warning signs	4-12	Place at entrances to forklift operating areas.
Speed limit signs	2-4	Post at warehouse entrances and key traffic areas.
Floor marking tape	100-500m	Use to create pedestrian walkways and forklift lanes.

Quick Tip: Use contrasting colours for floor markings to make them highly visible. Yellow is a common choice for walkways.

Let's move on to PPE requirements for specific zones.

PPE Zone Signage: Matching Hazards to the Right Mandatory Signs

If your warehouse has areas where specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required, you'll need clear PPE mandatory signs. These signs indicate what PPE must be worn before entering the zone.

Assess the hazards in each area and choose the appropriate PPE mandatory signs. Common examples include safety glasses, hard hats, and high-visibility clothing. Place signs at the entrance to each zone where PPE is required. Consider using a combination of signs to indicate multiple PPE requirements. Standard sizes are 300x100mm, but use larger sizes for areas with high traffic or longer viewing distances.

Item	Quantity	Notes
PPE mandatory signs	2-8	At entrances to areas requiring specific PPE.

Quick Tip: Involve your team in choosing PPE and signage. This increases buy-in and ensures everyone understands the requirements.

Finally, let's cover safety signs for racking and storage.

Racking & Storage Safety: Keeping Your Storage Areas Safe

Safe racking and storage are essential for preventing accidents and damage. Clear signage is crucial for communicating weight limits and other safety information.

Every racking bay should have a max load notice clearly indicating the maximum weight it can safely hold. These should be durable and securely attached to the racking. Use warning signs to highlight potential hazards, such as unstable loads or areas with limited headroom. Regularly inspect racking for damage and replace any damaged signs immediately.

Item	Quantity	Notes
Max load notices	Per bay	Attach to each racking bay, clearly visible.

Quick Tip: Use a consistent font and layout for all your racking signage to improve readability and professionalism.

You're now ready to put together your complete warehouse sign package!

Your Warehouse Sign Package: Ready to Purchase with Confidence

You've now identified the key safety signs your warehouse needs. This section helps you consolidate your requirements and prepare your order.

By following this guide, you've determined the specific fire safety signs, mandatory signs, warning signs, and floor signs your warehouse requires. Remember to consider the size and material of each sign based on its location and viewing distance. A well-signed warehouse is a safer warehouse!

Quick Tip: Take photos of each location where you plan to install a sign. This will help you remember the specific requirements and ensure you order the correct size and material.

Use the checklist below to finalize your order and get your warehouse safe and compliant.

Complete Buying Checklist

Use this checklist when ordering...

Fire Safety

Product	Qty	Size	Material
Fire exit signs	8-20	300x100mm	Photoluminescent
Fire action notices	2-6	A4	Rigid Plastic
Fire extinguisher ID signs	4-10	150x450mm	Rigid Plastic
Assembly point sign	1-2	400x600mm	Rigid Plastic

General Safety

Product	Qty	Size	Material
No smoking signs	2-4	150x200mm	Self-Adhesive Vinyl
First aid location signs	1-3	150x200mm	Rigid Plastic

Vehicle & Pedestrian Safety

Product	Qty	Size	Material
Fork truck warning signs	4-12	400x300mm	Rigid Plastic
Speed limit signs	2-4	300mm Diameter	Rigid Plastic
Floor marking tape	100-500m	50mm wide	Vinyl

PPE

Product	Qty	Size	Material
PPE mandatory signs	2-8	300x100mm	Rigid Plastic

Racking

Product	Qty	Size	Material
Max load notices	Per bay	A4	Rigid Plastic

Estimated Total: 25-50 signs, approximately £200-400

Frequently Asked Questions

What size fire exit sign do I need?

The size of your fire exit signs depends on the viewing distance. 300x100mm is a standard size for viewing distances up to 20 metres. If the sign needs to be visible from further away, choose a larger size, such as 450x150mm or even larger. Consider the lighting conditions as well – a larger sign may be needed in dimly lit areas.

Do I need floor markings in addition to wall signs?

While wall signs are essential, floor markings can significantly enhance safety, particularly in high-traffic areas. Use floor tape to create dedicated pedestrian walkways and forklift lanes. This helps to physically separate people and vehicles, reducing the risk of accidents. Floor markings are especially useful in areas where wall space is limited or where visibility is obstructed.

Ready to order?

You've now got all the information you need to choose the right safety signs for your warehouse. Shop our range of high-quality signs and create a safer workplace.

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