04 Nov Complete Guide to Wayfinding Signage: Types, Legislation & Best Practices for 2024
Complete Guide to Wayfinding Signage
In the rapidly evolving landscape of building safety and accessibility, wayfinding signage remains a key component for ensuring safety and efficient navigation in residential and public buildings. In light of significant legislation updates and industry best practices introduced in 2023, this guide provides essential insights into wayfinding signage types and compliance for domestic buildings.
We’ll cover the six primary types of wayfinding signage, outline the latest legislative changes, and share best practices for ensuring your building meets current safety and accessibility standards.
1. Complete Guide to Wayfinding Signage:
Floor and Flat Signage
Legislative Requirements:
With the implementation of Fire Safety Regulations 2022 in January 2023, new safety standards specifically for high-rise residential buildings have been enforced. According to Regulation 8, the following requirements apply:
- Buildings must have clear floor identification and flat signage for domestic premises.
- Markings must be consistent with Volume 1 of Approved Document B to ensure visibility in poor conditions.
- Signage should remain visible under low-light circumstances, whether through glow-in-the-dark materials or visibility with a torch.
- Signage is mandatory on each stairway landing and lift lobby for quick and clear identification in emergencies.
These updates build upon existing regulations in Approved Document B (Sections 15.13 – 15.16), reinforcing the importance of clear, visible signage throughout residential buildings.
2. Escape Route Signage
Clear, visible escape routes are essential for safe evacuations, especially in high-stress situations. The visibility of escape route signage depends largely on its size in relation to viewing distance. Below is a quick reference guide for selecting the appropriate sign size based on typical viewing distances:
| Sign Size | Recommended Viewing Distance |
|---|---|
| 400x150mm | 22 meters |
| 340x120mm | 17 meters |
| 300x100mm | 14 meters |
Think Signs Pro Tip:
For corridors up to 20 meters in length, 400x150mm signs provide optimal visibility, ensuring that occupants can clearly see escape route markers from one end to the other.
3. Firefighting Signage
While not mandated in all cases, firefighting signage provides essential information to occupants and emergency responders during critical situations. Typical firefighting signs include:
- Fire Action Notices outlining steps to take during an emergency.
- Riser Access Points to guide firefighters to water supplies.
- Lift Instructions During Fires indicating whether or not elevators are safe for use.
Think Signs Recommended Best Practices:
To maximize accessibility and usability, consider the following guidelines:
- Place firefighting signage at a height of 1.2 meters for optimal visibility within the line of sight.
- Include QR codes on signage to offer multi-language translations (supporting up to 30 languages), enhancing accessibility for non-native speakers.
4. Low-Level Signage and Flat Entrances
Following recommendations from the Shirley Towers incident and Coroners Rule 43, installing low-level guidance signage near flat entrances is now considered a best practice to enhance safety. Low-level signage helps occupants and emergency responders identify premises in low-visibility conditions, such as smoke-filled environments.
- Position signage at 310mm above floor level, adjacent to flat entrance doors for easy identification.
- Low-level signage provides a critical point of reference for occupants and first responders in dense smoke or low-light settings.
5. Stair Nosings / Edgings
Regulatory Requirements:
As stipulated in Approved Document K, staircases must feature visually contrasting step edgings to enhance safety and prevent slips or falls. The required minimum colour difference between stair nosings and the rest of the stair is 30 points.
Enhanced Accessibility:
To further improve accessibility, BS 8300 standards suggest using bright, luminescent edge strips that exceed the basic colour contrast requirements. This enhances visibility for people with visual impairments, allowing them to navigate staircases with increased confidence and safety.
6. Additional Building Information Signage
While not currently mandated by legislation, additional building information signage is highly recommended to improve occupant navigation and provide valuable details about the building layout. Key benefits of additional signage include:
- Floor Contents and Directional Guidance: Clearly labelled signs that indicate room numbers, departments, or amenities help occupants locate specific areas within the building.
- Safety and Layout Information: Signage providing emergency procedures, equipment locations (like fire extinguishers or first-aid kits), and safe exits enhances overall safety and quick response during emergencies.
Think Signs Philosophy: Prioritizing Safety Through Information
At Think Signs, we believe that the more relevant information you provide to building occupants, the safer they will feel. Thoughtful, clear signage that complies with current standards not only improves navigation but also enhances safety, particularly during emergencies. By helping occupants quickly locate essential areas and understand emergency procedures, clear signage becomes a powerful tool in fostering security and peace of mind.
Need Personalized Wayfinding Advice?
If you’re looking to enhance wayfinding and safety signage in your building, the Think Signs team is here to help. With our extensive experience working alongside landlords, property managers, and estate agencies, we provide tailored solutions to ensure your buildings remain compliant, accessible, and safe for everyone.
Let us help you meet and exceed the latest regulatory requirements with signage that aligns with the highest industry standards for 2024 and beyond.
