We've been advised to change Fire Action Notices form the standard written versions to a pictorial version. Is this someone's opinion are is this now mandatory? I've not heard of this before. Any replies will be gratefully received!!

Hello Safety Smurf, Many thanks for your response, have a good weekend!!

If this is the case -could someone please clarify? Please

Taken from a well known safety sign supplier.... Ever since the introduction of the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals ) Regulations and BS5499, the world of safety signs has been about conveying messages through suitable pictograms and concise text. During a time of great panic the evacuee should be able to quickly review and understand what to do next. As such, pictorial fire action safety signs like these would be preferable. Prior to purchasing any such fire action sign, the buyer should ask themselves two questions. Firstly, is there a lift in the building? If there is not, it is pointless delaying the evacuee further by making them read an additional line of text. Secondly, will the fire brigade be automatically dialled? In both cases the sign selected should be appropriate to that building’s circumstances. Think that sums it up really, and given the legislation doesn't seem to have any updates, I'd suggest you don't "need" to change the signs, it's a choice and/or dependent on your Risk Assessment...http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1996/341/contents/made

There is no legal requirement for Fire Action Notices (FAN) at all, let alone pictorial. You can read the RRFSO as many times as you like and won't find them mentioned. It states "emergency routes and exits must be indicated by signs" and it states that "... any non-automatic fire-fighting equipment ... is easily accessible, simple to use and indicated by signs". But there is no mention of FAN. Many companies only supply FAN with mention of Lifts, despite many buildings not having lifts. Yet as others have mentioned, Fire Authorities can get quiet anal about them being in a premises; more so than about Fire Extinguishers being signed, even though that is a legal requirement. Personally, I take the view that if an extinguisher can be easily identified from a reasonable distance, then it is 'signed' by its red colour prominence. What's the point in a 10x10 cm sign directly above a 60x20cm red extinguisher? I was in the Royal Air Force and I remember just after the RRFSO came into force having a conversation with an RAF Fire Service SNCO. At the time, the Defence Fire Service (DFS) was considering dropping the use of FAN as a cost saver, since there was no mention of them in the new legislation and all Service personnel and MOD Civil Servants received adequate annual fire training. The RAF element of the DFS, which had previously been independent, but then forced to come under control of the Army DFS, was strongly opposed to this change, arguing that there were many casual civilian workers/contractors on MOD establishments, who did not receive annual training. As far as I'm aware, the FAN were retained. So, the Fire Action Notice is entirely up to you. I would argue that it is part of the Risk Assessment.

You can read the RRFSO as many times as you like and won't find them mentioned. It states "emergency routes and exits must be indicated by signs" and it states that "... any non-automatic fire-fighting equipment ... is easily accessible, simple to use and indicated by signs". But there is no mention of FAN. Yet as others have mentioned, Fire Authorities can get quiet anal about them being in a premises; more so than about Fire Extinguishers being signed, even though that is a legal requirement. Route66, where in the RRO it states that "any non-automatic fire fighting equipment is easily accessible, simple to use and indicated by signs" could it be interpreted that the signage on the extinguisher to be sufficient in complying with this statement? is there a difference between a sign on the wall or on the actual extinguisher body that gives the same detail and keeps signage costs down. obviously if the extinguisher is in a cupboard or not easily visible then yes a sign may be required. Are you saying it's a legal requirement in the RRO or signs and signals regs?