Rank: Super forum user 
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I think I'm being subject to supplier over-zealous selling:
I've been told that a fire exit direction sign must be visible from every location in the office. This seems excessive to me. In particular, we have some ranks of tall filing units, and if you're at the end of one aisle between them, you can't see out of the aisle, so we'd need a fire exit sign in every aisle. This won't enhance anyone's safety, because the aisles are all dead ends, so if the alarm goes off you don't have to make a decision about which way to head, and as soon as you get to the end of the aisle (6m maximum travel) you're in the main walkway which has a (prominently signed) fire exit at each end.
I also observe that I'm yet to see a fire exit sign in any toilet stall (or I think anywhere within a toilets of an office).
Can anyone confirm my suspicion (or point me to where the requirement actually exists). Thanks.
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Rank: Forum user 
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achrn wrote:I think I'm being subject to supplier over-zealous selling:
I've been told that a fire exit direction sign must be visible from every location in the office. This seems excessive to me. In particular, we have some ranks of tall filing units, and if you're at the end of one aisle between them, you can't see out of the aisle, so we'd need a fire exit sign in every aisle. This won't enhance anyone's safety, because the aisles are all dead ends, so if the alarm goes off you don't have to make a decision about which way to head, and as soon as you get to the end of the aisle (6m maximum travel) you're in the main walkway which has a (prominently signed) fire exit at each end.
I also observe that I'm yet to see a fire exit sign in any toilet stall (or I think anywhere within a toilets of an office).
Can anyone confirm my suspicion (or point me to where the requirement actually exists). Thanks.
Have a look at http://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-exit-signs/ as will lead you to the information you need.
You're fire risk assessment should then identify this detail.
If that is the companies sales pitch then ask then to email you confirming what they've told you and then forward on to Fire Authoirty, Local Authority and HSE.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I have a similar situation and frequently find signage which is detrimental. I've even seen it over the doors of rooms within only one door!
I would treat dead aisles in an office the same way I do in a warehouse. You don't need to ba able to signage until you reach a decision point.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Safety Smurf +1
Some say risk assess, I prefer 'common sense'. You mention an office, so perhaps we are talking mainly staff who a familiar with the buildings. Quite often, it's possible to be relaxed about signage and concentrate on pointing the way to secondary/less used means of escape.
Where those who are not familiar may be expected to be unaccompanied, then a higher degree of signage may be necessary - say in a Hotel
Why not walk around the building as if it's your first time and see if you could find the nearest way out. It ain't rocket science, there is a BS, but even that's a bit OTT in some areas. Ditch the salesman, use common sense when compiling your shopping list, and then buy them from another firm!
As for fire safety signs in toilet cubicles - yes, we have them, but not directional signs.
Following my recent FRA, there are now fire action notices on the inside of toilet cubicle doors :) It's a great way to get the evac plan over to staff. OK, it's a bit sexist as women get more reminders than men, but as they are placed to be read a sitting height, it's almost impossible not to read them every time you 'go', (unless you have had the foresight to take a newspaper with you!!)
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Rank: Super forum user
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Thanks all.
Yes, it is an office occupied by staff familiar with the building, and visitors are accompanied. Actually, however, the locations in question it wouldn't matter if you were completely ignorant of the building - if the alarm went off the choice would be climb over a 2m+ high racking unit, claw your way through a brick wall, or walk along the aisle to the end, from where you can see a signed fire exit 10m away (at most).
It was common sense that lead me to the conclusion the sales pitch was nonsense. What I wasn't sure about was whether it was nonsense enshrined in regulations / law.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I'm not an advocate of too many signs. However, what most of you seem to be failing to take into account is that if the power fails and a room fills with smoke then even those who are familiar with a building will become disorientated and the signs help you find the exit (that's why signs should be as a minimum photo illumuniscent or preferably with emeregency lighting).
So for sure toilet cubicles don't need them due to the fact that they are so small but a large toilet / shower room may. You have to take each building and each room on it's own merit. One size does not fit all. If there's lots of borrowed light you may need less etc etc
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Rank: Forum user
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BS 5499-4:2000
Safety signs, including fire safety signs —
Part 4: Code of practice for escape route signing
states the following:
The following principles should be applied:
a) at least one escape route or doorway leading to an escape route should be visible from any place within every room or enclosure. Where this route is not conspicuous or confusion could occur, the route should be indicated by a sign;
b) where direct sight of the escape route or of the sign indicating the escape route is obstructed, one or more intermediate signs should be provided;
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