Hopefully an easy question for those in the know and willing to share. We have a new building which has had a company put in all extinguishers , call points, alarm system etc. However I noted that there were no signs ( normally up high'ish 6 to 8 feet) noting a "call point". We were picked up on this by an external company at another place and so a little confused if they are "required".

If they are required are they the red and white signs showing a hand pressing a button, with some flames then the words "fire alarm" and sized 100mm x 200mm or should it say call point or something else?

Before I question them, I would like to try and understand.

Thanks for any help

Chris

Yes, the signs you describe are the ones to have. It is arguably necessary to have them as part of your fire precautions and thus a requirement (although only arguably).

They are a good thing to have for two reasons. They identify the fire alarm call points for anyone who is trying to raise a fire alarm. And they identify the fire alarm call points for unfamiliar visitors who mistake them for means of opening the door. (Yes, this happens. Well worth the small investment if it prevents an unnecessary evacuation.)

HI Chris, not sure what your building is but just be careful when your furniture and furnishings go in as sometimes they can be obscured so you may want to consider a sign then, I have sometimes asked them to put a sign up in these circumstances and put an arrow on it to indicate where it is as lockers have blocked the view of it not the access to it (for those pedantic lot)

The RRSFO states: Fire-fighting and fire detection
13.—(1) Where necessary (whether due to the features of the premises, the activity carried on there, any hazard present or any other relevant circumstances) in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons, the responsible person must ensure that—

(a)the premises are, to the extent that it is appropriate, equipped with appropriate fire-fighting equipment and with fire detectors and alarms; and
(b)any non-automatic fire-fighting equipment so provided is easily accessible, simple to use and indicated by signs.

Ie, subject to the FRA findings

Manual call points(MCP) are usually installed proud of the wall to enable some limited visibility of it from different angles. Where this is the case, signage is a was of money and can look awful.

However if the wall is coloured red so obscures the MCP, if drapes or furnishing obscure it - or as in one case I saw, the MCPs had been overpainted in black! - the signs may be the answer.

I might also consider them for buildings or areas within buildings where very rapid fire growth is possible or where very vulnerable persons may be accommodated

Thanks all for the explanations very helpful and when you think about it logical.

Not just safety signs, there are lots of people out there to try and con you. "its a legal requirement" really which piece of legislation is it in ?

Both buildings are similar in this case, but I can see why some assessors may go one way and other assessors the other. I'm not sure they would actually add any value or be helpful.

Thanks
Chris