BS5499 and European Council Directive 92/58/EEC

Since ‘Text Only’ signs became illegal in the UK and EEC the only Escape Route Signs permissible in the UK are signs conforming to BS5499-4 and European Council Directive 92/58/EEC. They are similar in design, the major difference being that in BS5499-4 signs the ‘running man’ appears in the doorway and in European Council Directive 92/58/EEC signs the ‘running man’ is running towards the door way.

BS5499-4	European Council Directive 92/58/EEC

Both signs are legal but should not be mixed in the same building. The above signs actually mean the same the differences are explained below.

In BS5499-4 the ‘arrow’ points in the direction the escaping person should be going.

In European Council Directive 92/58/EEC the ‘arrow’ points to the door the escaping person should be using.

An ‘Exit’ route is the normal way that occupants use to enter and leave the building.

BS5499-4	European Council Directive 92/58/EEC

A ‘Fire Exit’ is an alternative means of escape from a building and provided specifically for use in emergency situations. Note the EEC sign does not have to have the additional legend ‘Fire Exit’, although a British version is available with this legend.

BS5499-4	European Council Directive 92/58/EEC

Viewing distances

Viewing Angles for Signs

Type 1
Parallel wall mounted sign
Surface printed

Type P
Panoramic signs
The signs with the greatest visibilty. Printed on both views for a viewing angle of 180

Type 3
Suspended double-sided sign, to be hung from the ceiling. The sign is supplied with the holes on the tops corners allowing appropriate fixings to be used (fixings not supplied).

Back to Top

Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995

The final part if the DISABITITY DISCRIMINATION ACT (DDA) 1995, Part 3, came into effect on 1 October 2004.

From 1 October 2004, Part 3 of the DDA 1995 has required businesses and other organisations to take reasonable steps to tackle physical features that act as a barrier to disabled people who want to access their services.

In buildings where disabled people may not have a direct means of escape e.g. from upper floors, etc., refuge points, which are areas protected by a minimum of 30 minute fire resisting separations (fire doors) should be set up. These refuge points, routes to refuge points and escape routes should be suitably signed using signs from our DDA Escape Signs section.

Determining if refuge points are required or where they should be must be done by a full survey of a building and the production of a Fire Risk Assessment

Back to Top