Emergency & Information Signs Explained
Green signs guide people to safety: the way out, first aid, eyewash stations and the assembly point.
What green signs mean
A green square or rectangle with a white symbol means a safe condition. These signs answer the question “where do I go, or what do I use, in an emergency?” In South African catalogues they are often listed with GA codes under SANS 1186.
AID
First aid
Marks the first aid box or first aid room.
Emergency exit
Shows the escape route and direction to the exit.
AID
Assembly point
Where everyone gathers after an evacuation.
Common emergency and information signs
| Sign | Where it goes |
|---|---|
| Emergency exit (running figure) | Above or on every emergency exit door |
| Escape route arrows | Along passages and stairs, at every change of direction |
| First aid | On the first aid box and the door of the first aid room |
| Emergency eyewash / safety shower | At each eyewash station and shower in labs, workshops and chemical stores |
| Assembly point | At the outdoor gathering point, visible from the exits |
| Emergency telephone | At emergency phones and intercoms |
Planning your escape route signs
- Put a sign at every door that leads to safety and at every point where the route changes direction
- Make sure each sign can be seen from the one before it, so people are never left guessing
- Use photoluminescent signs low and high in stairwells and long passages
- Keep signs clear of stock, posters and open doors
- Show the assembly point on your evacuation plan and on the outdoor sign
Frequently asked questions
What do green safety signs mean?
Green signs show a safe condition: the way out, first aid, an emergency eyewash or shower, or an assembly point.
What is the difference between an exit sign and an emergency exit sign?
An exit sign shows a normal way out. An emergency exit sign marks a route or door to be used in an emergency, often with a running figure and an arrow.
Should escape route signs glow in the dark?
Photoluminescent escape route signs keep working when the power fails and smoke fills a passage, which is when people need them most. Many fire plans call for them.
Do you make assembly point signs for outdoors?
Yes. We print assembly point signs on aluminium or Chromadek with a pole or wall mounting, made to last outdoors.
Order Your Signs Today
Express Print makes SABS-style safety signs on ABS, aluminium, Chromadek, Correx and photoluminescent vinyl, in Rivonia, Johannesburg. Tell us the sign codes and sizes and we will quote you.
