Fire is a threat to life and limb that can get out of control very quickly. To be able to control a fire, access to fire extinguishers is vital. With this, adequate signage to indicate the presence and proper use of fire extinguishers are also paramount. Fire extinguishers need to be easily identifiable in adverse situations, when time is of the essence, to minimise the damage that fire can cause.
The Importance of Fire Extinguisher Signs
Fire extinguisher signs are a visual communication tool that assists in providing immediate identification of the extinguisher. The signs will provide the most crucial information for the operation of the extinguisher and just enough information to be able to quickly and efficiently manage a fire. The more clear and visible the fire extinguisher sign, the greater the chances are that the fire will be dealt with appropriately and that the people and property in the vicinity will be kept safe.
Fire extinguisher signs are particularly important for people who are not familiar with the area and who are unfamiliar with the location of the extinguisher, to better be able to find them, and to do so quickly.
Fire extinguisher signs are also important to guide emergency personnel to the places where they can be found in order to assist.
Fire extinguisher signage should be readily visible and clear, showing people exactly where they can be found in an emergency. They should not be obstructed in any way from being visible by stacked pallets, chairs, or equipment.
Easily being able to quickly locate fire extinguishers has the added advantage that property damage will be limited, or eliminated, avoiding all the secondary consequences that fire causes, such as legal damages claims.
Being able to access the fire extinguishers quickly also assists in being able to contain the fire until emergency personnel arrives, if you are not able to extinguish it completely on your own. The majority of fires can be handled within minutes of the fire starting, and as such, it is important that to do so, being able to locate the equipment is vital.
Fire extinguisher signs should be positioned on or near where the fire extinguisher can be found, making finding them easy when it counts.
Signs placed on the extinguishers themselves are also important as different fire extinguishers need to be used for different kinds of fires. Not all fire extinguishers can be used on the same fires. A water fire extinguisher should not be used on an electrical fire and the specific kind of extinguisher will need to be readily identifiable from the fire extinguisher signage that is used.