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#1 Posted : 23 November 2004 13:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By Zoe Barnett
Afternoon all...

This is a query from a huge secondary school which is overhauling its fire evacuation plans. As part of the job they are looking at replacing or installing fire escape signs.

As it's such a big site it will be much easier if they can install the basic running man sign at each location that a sign is required. They then want to stick on a separate arrow sign next to the running man, pointing in the appropriate direction.

The sign installers have told the school that they can't do this as a) it's against the law and b) that they can't get the separate arrow signs anyway.

I can't find anything in the Safety Signs and Signals regs that says we have to use an all-in-one sign. I haven't got access to the BS 5499 so I don't know if this is a requirement of the Standard. Personally I think that as long as the signs are legible, of the appropriate size, and help people get out, it shouldn't matter. The only thing I could think of is that some joker might find it amusing to switch the arrow sign around; but surely if it were fixed firmly this would be a negligible risk?

If anyone can shed any light on this I'd be hugely grateful (as will the school, who won't have to muck about ordering x number of signs pointing left, and y number pointing right). Many thanks.

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#2 Posted : 23 November 2004 13:20:00(UTC)
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Posted By Bill Elliott
Zoe - most Safety signs manufacturers produce just the signs you describe - indeed this is the method we use - basic running man plus directional arrows. The only caveat I think is that the running man MUST accompany directional arrows
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#3 Posted : 23 November 2004 13:34:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jim Walker
Zoe,

Like Bill, I've done as you describe.

Only sensible reason I can think of for not doing it, might be requirement for illuminated signs.
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#4 Posted : 23 November 2004 13:39:00(UTC)
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Posted By fats van den raad
Zoe
Emailed you direct
Fats
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#5 Posted : 23 November 2004 13:45:00(UTC)
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Posted By Katie Hoyland
zoe

beware of using running man signs at all. These have recently been superseded with running person signs which feature an androgynous image. This apparantly was implemented as law 'to encourage evacuation by both sexes equally'. Correct me, but if you hear an alarm you run whether you are male or female but the laws the law so we're stuck with it.

May be of use before you order appropiate signage.
You may need to take into account emergency lighting also?

katie
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#6 Posted : 23 November 2004 13:47:00(UTC)
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Posted By Zoe Barnett
Reminds me of an item on the radio taking the mickey out of poor English abroad. I may not have it exactly but the gist was that a hotel brochure in Thailand or somewhere said that in the event of a fire alarm "all guests should make their way to the lavatories and evacuate."


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#7 Posted : 23 November 2004 13:55:00(UTC)
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Posted By Katie Hoyland
Zoe
I think we are lucky with UK legislation that we dont recognise WC's as being a suitable location in which to site fire escapes.

I'm sure that it is only a matter of time though.
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