Fires in office buildings can cause devastating damage—both to property and your company’s operations. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there were 16,500 office and store fires in 2020 alone, causing $932 million in direct property damage. While you can’t predict emergencies, having the right fire safety signage in place can make the difference between an orderly evacuation and chaos when seconds count.
Many business managers mistakenly believe fire safety signage is only about checking a compliance box—but clear, code-compliant for safety in the workplace protect your employees, visitors, and your bottom line. From recent incidents involving multi-tenant office complexes to explosions that triggered regional shelter-in-place orders, workplace fires can have a serious impact on business continuity and community safety.
Here are the 9 critical fire safety signs every office should have to meet fire code requirements and enhance workplace safety.
Table of Contents
- ADA-Compliant Exit Signage (Tactile and Braille)
- Photoluminescent Exit Signs
- Fire Evacuation Maps
- Area of Refuge Signs
- Fire Extinguisher Location Signs
- Fire Alarm Control Panel Signs
- “In Case of Fire” Elevator Signs
- Fire Hose Station Signs
- Emergency Egress Route Signs (Tactile and Braille)
1. ADA-Compliant Exit Signs (Tactile and Braille)
- What: ADA-compliant fire exit signs with raised characters and braille are designed to identify all final exits from a building and must be accessible to people with visual impairments.
- Why: ADA standards require fire exit signs to ensure accessibility for all occupants, including those who are blind or have low vision.
- Where: These signs should be placed on the wall adjacent to the latch side of the door and must be visible from a distance.
- Code Requirement: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires specific tactile and braille elements on exit signage to ensure accessibility.
2. Photoluminescent Exit Signs (Highly Recommended)
- What: Photoluminescent exit signs are glow-in-the-dark signs that absorb ambient light and then glow brightly during a power outage.
- Why: When fires knock out power, these signs guide both occupants and firefighters through smoke-filled conditions. They’re a great choice for any office, regardless of size or height, and since they don’t require any wiring, you can also reduce installation costs.
- Where: Place photoluminescent exit signs in areas where a power outage could be a concern, especially along primary evacuation routes. For visibility through smoke, low-level exit signs should be mounted 6-8 inches above floor level.
- Dual Purpose: Help occupants evacuate while providing critical navigation information to emergency responders.
- Code Requirement: Photoluminescent signs are compliant with NFPA signage standards, like the Life Safety Code®, which many states incorporate into their fire codes.
A close-up shot of an Evacuation Plan (EVP-11) map, clearly showing the “You Are Here” location, primary and secondary exit routes, and a designated assembly point outside the building.
3. Fire Evacuation Maps
- What: Fire evacuation maps are floor plans showing the building’s layout, exit routes, assembly points, and locations of safety equipment.
- Why: A detailed fire evacuation map is a vital part of your overall office evacuation plan, providing a clear visual guide to safety, especially for visitors who are unfamiliar with your building, helping them navigate to safety quickly.
- Where: Place them in high-traffic areas, near all entrances and exits, and in large assembly spaces.
- Code Requirement: Many local fire codes and NFPA signage standards require evacuation maps to be present and up to date. The maps must include a “You Are Here” indicator, primary and secondary evacuation routes, and outdoor assembly areas.
4. Area of Refuge Signs
- What: Area of refuge signs designate safe waiting areas for individuals with mobility challenges who cannot use stairs during an evacuation.
- Why: They are vital for providing a temporary haven until first responders can assist with their safe egress, especially in multi-story buildings.
- Where: These signs should be placed in stairwell landings and enclosed corridors with fire-rated construction.
- Code Requirement: NFPA mandates area of refuge signs to ensure accessibility and life safety for all occupants. Refuge areas must include instructions for requesting assistance and two-way communication devices.
A bright red Fire Extinguisher Sign (GSS-FE711) mounted on a wall, with a prominent sign directly above it.
5. Fire Extinguisher Location Signs
- What: Fire extinguisher location signs clearly identify portable fire suppression equipment.
- Why: In an emergency, every second counts. Clearly marked fire extinguisher location signs help employees and first responders quickly find and access this life-saving equipment.
- Where: Place these signs directly above every wall-mounted fire extinguisher, especially in kitchens or break rooms.
- Code Requirement: OSHA requires that all fire extinguishers be “conspicuously located” or marked with a sign that indicates their location. NFPA 101 and other local fire codes require fire extinguishers be visible from 75 feet away.
6. Fire Alarm Control Panel Signs
- What: These signs direct first responders to the building’s fire alarm control panel.
- Why: Locating the control panel quickly allows first responders to assess the situation, control the building’s fire protection systems, and respond more effectively.
- Where: Fire alarm control panel signs are typically placed on the wall near the main entrance or another easily accessible location where the fire alarm control panel is located.
- Code Requirement: Fire codes often require the location of the control panel to be clearly marked for easy access. If the panel isn’t immediately visible from the entrance, the fire alarm control panel sign must include simple directional arrows.
7. “In Case of Fire” Elevator Signs
- What: “In Case of Fire” elevator signs instruct occupants not to use the elevator during a fire and to use the stairs instead. Properly marked stair signs reinforce this message.
- Why: This signage reinforces proper emergency procedures and prevents people from getting trapped in an elevator during a fire.
- Where: Place these “use stairs” signs next to office elevator doors and elevator call buttons.
- Code Requirement: Many fire codes require signs instructing occupants to use stairs during a fire.
- Standard Message: “In case of fire, elevators are out of service. Use exit stairs.”
A bright red Fire Department Connection (FDC) Sign w/Arrow (NFPA-FDC1218) sign mounted on an external wall, with an arrow pointing toward the connection.
8. Fire Hose Station Signs
- What: Fire hose station signs mark the location of fire hose stations, which provide an additional source of water for firefighting. These fire department signs not only mark the location of fire hose stations, but also key equipment like fire department connection signs, allowing first responders to quickly find and utilize crucial resources.
- Why: For buildings with fire suppression systems, these fire department signs help trained personnel quickly find the necessary equipment to combat a fire.
- Where: Place signs on or above the fire hose station.
- Code Requirement: If an office has a fire hose station, fire codes require it to be clearly marked. Additionally, the office fire safety team should be trained on proper use.
9. Emergency Egress Route Signs (Tactile and Braille)
- What: Egress route signs are tactile wayfinding signs with braille that provide clear directional guidance along an emergency egress route.
- Why: In modern open-office designs with cubicles, these signs are essential for maintaining clear sight lines to exits from workstations and ensuring that evacuation routes are easily identifiable. They ensure a continuous and accessible path to an exit, which is critical for a swift and safe evacuation for all occupants.
- Where: These signs should be placed throughout the building, especially in complex layouts, to guide occupants toward a final exit.
- Code Requirement: NFPA 101 mandates continuous, unobstructed egress routes and often requires signage to support them.
Why Fire Safety Signage Matters Beyond Compliance
Fire safety signage isn’t just about following regulations—it’s a critical investment to protect your people and your business’s future. Investing in clear signage is a key part of your overall workplace emergency preparedness strategy, helping to protect lives and business continuity. Clear, compliant fire signage for your office complex or building provides measurable returns:
- Improves evacuation time, helps avoid injuries, and minimizes property damage.
- Inadequate signage may increase your legal liabilities and insurance premiums.
- Avoided OSHA penalties which can reach $15,625 per violation.
- Tenant retention through enhanced safety reputation.
- Unplanned closures from fire incidents can cost businesses thousands in lost productivity daily.
Prioritizing quality signage can help keep your office safe and your operations running smoothly.
Fire Safety in a Hybrid Work Environment: What Offices Need to Know
With hybrid and remote work models here to stay, maintaining fire safety signage poses new challenges. Even if your office is less occupied, safety can’t be compromised. Make sure to:
- Regularly inspect signage in seldom-used areas.
- Utilize digital signage updates or emails to keep remote employees informed about fire safety policies.
- Coordinate with building management to ensure shared spaces meet fire code standards.
Pro Tip: Coordinate Sign Maintenance with Facility Upkeep
Fire safety signs can fade, get damaged, or be obscured over time. To stay compliant without hassle, schedule sign inspections and replacements as part of your regular facility maintenance. This proactive approach keeps signage visible and effective year-round and reduces the risk of non-compliance during fire marshal inspections.
Building Your Office Fire Safety Plan: Maintenance and Compliance Monitoring
Proper fire preparedness requires more than signage. We recommend:
- Monthly Visual Inspections: Periodically walk through your office with a signage audit checklist to ensure all signs are present, visible, compliant, and in good condition. Look for obstructions, damage, or outdated information.
- Office Fire Safety Training: The safety team should be trained on the location and meaning of all fire safety signs, emergency procedures, and how to assist during an evacuation.
- Regular Fire Drills: Conduct fire drills to practice evacuation routes and identify bottlenecks or where additional signage may help.
- Maintenance Logs: Keep detailed records of signage inspections, maintenance, and any fire drills conducted. This documentation is vital for compliance and liability.
Ready to Upgrade Your Fire Safety Signage?
Don’t wait for an emergency or inspection to reveal gaps in your workplace safety signage system. signmojo.com specializes in comprehensive, code-compliant signage solutions for commercial properties, helping building owners and property managers protect tenants while reducing liability exposure.
Our team understands the unique challenges of office complexes and related commercial properties and can provide customized signage systems that meet OSHA requirements, support your emergency action plans, and enhance overall building safety. Whether you’re a property manager or an office administrator, our team can help you find the right office safety signs to meet your needs.
Contact signmojo.com today for a free consultation on your office safety signage needs—because clear signage saves lives and protects your investment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workplace Fire Safety Signs
Fire codes are typically enforced at the state or local level and dictate a building’s fire protection and life safety features. OSHA fire safety regulations, on the other hand, focus on protecting workers from hazards in the workplace and establishing safety procedures. You need to be compliant with both.
The International Building Code (IBC) sets minimum standards for fire safety, structural integrity, and other building aspects. Adhering to IBC signage requirementsensures your building’s signage is not only compliant with federal guidelines like the ADA, but also with the structural and safety standards of your specific jurisdiction.
OSHA requires exit signage be continuously illuminated during occupancy, visible from any direction of approach, and mounted so the bottom of the sign is not more than 6 feet 8 inches above the floor. Signs must have letters at least 6 inches high with stroke widths of at least 3/4 inch.
Yes, public-facing and employee-accessible areas in offices generally must meet ADA signage requirements including tactile characters and braille.
Fire codes generally require that cubicles don’t obstruct access to exits and that exit signs remain visible above cubicle heights. Most jurisdictions limit cubicle height to maintain sight lines to exits, typically 60-72 inches maximum.
Standard (wired) exit signs typically rely on electrical power and may fail during power outages. Photoluminescent signs absorb ambient light during normal conditions and glow in the dark without electricity. In addition, they don’t require wiring and help reduce energy costs.
Low-level exit signage mounted 6-8 inches above the floor provide visibility below smoke layers. Photoluminescent signs continue glowing brightly without power.
Areas of refuge must be identified with signs that include the International Symbol of Accessibility, two-way communication instructions, and identification of the area as a place of refuge. Signs must include both visual and tactile elements.
While signage is essential, a well-defined evacuation plan is just as critical. We recommend consulting a professional sign company like signmojo.com to make an evacuation plan that includes designated exits, assembly points, and communication protocols.
With signmojo.com, you email us your building’s blueprints, floor plans, or copy of a current evacuation plan. Our experts will create a clean plan showing all emergency information. You’ll receive a check list with your proofs. Note any changes and fax the proofs back to us. Easy!
Fire safety signage should support and reinforce the written emergency action plan required by OSHA. Signs should clearly communicate evacuation routes, assembly points, and procedures outlined in the plan, ensuring consistency between documentation and visual guidance.
Conduct a thorough annual audit with monthly visual checks to ensure signs remain clear and functional.
Evacuation plans should be reviewed annually or whenever there are significant changes to building layout, tenant occupancy, or emergency procedures. Any modifications to exit routes or assembly points require immediate plan updates.
Yes, property owners can face significant liability for injuries or deaths resulting from inadequate fire safety signage. To ensure your building meets compliance, you must adhere to a complex web of OSHA fire safety regulations and IBC signage requirements. Proper signage, documentation of maintenance, and compliance with codes provide important legal protections.
About Mami
Mami Bodewes, a seasoned sales leader, is the vice president of national accounts at signmojo.com. She drives business growth and fosters strong client relationships across diverse sectors, including higher education, hospitality, healthcare, and promotional products. Mami oversees a talented sales team, ensuring their continuous development and success. Her expertise is instrumental in executing large-scale branding initiatives and crafting effective marketing strategies. Originally from Senegal, Mami has called Tennessee home for more than 25 years.
