Fire blanket signage is not something you "use" in the traditional sense; rather, it serves as a crucial guide and identifier to help people quickly locate and understand where a fire blanket is situated during an emergency. Its primary use is to ensure visibility and provide essential information when every second counts.
The Purpose of Fire Blanket Signage
The main purpose of fire blanket signage is to make the location of a fire blanket immediately obvious. In the chaos of a fire, clear and prominent signage prevents confusion and allows for a swift response. It acts as a silent, constant alert to the presence and location of this important piece of fire safety equipment.
Key Requirements for Effective Signage Placement and Design
To be effective, fire blanket signage must adhere to specific guidelines that maximize its visibility and impact. Based on safety standards, key requirements include:
- Strategic Location: The signage must be located strategically to be easily visible. This means placing it in areas where fire blankets are installed, ensuring it is not obstructed by equipment, doors, or corners.
- Optimal Height: Ideally, the signage should be placed around 2 meters above the floor level. This height ensures it is easily seen over potential obstructions and is within a common line of sight for most adults.
- Minimum Dimensions: The signage needs to be large enough to be noticeable from a distance. The dimension of the fire blanket signage should be a minimum of 400 mm X 200 mm. This size ensures readability even in stressful situations.
- Visibility: The signage should stand out. This is achieved through:
- Use of high-contrast colours (e.g., white text/symbols on a red background, or vice-versa).
- Often incorporating photoluminescent materials that glow in the dark if power fails.
- Clear, internationally recognized symbols.
How Signage Enables Quick Response
Properly placed and designed fire blanket signage directly enables quick response during fire emergencies.
- Rapid Identification: Clear symbols and text instantly tell people that fire fighting equipment is nearby.
- Directs Location: Its placement directly above the fire blanket unit eliminates searching.
- Provides Instructions: While the primary sign indicates location, often supplementary signs or labels on the blanket container itself provide brief, easy-to-follow instructions on how to use the blanket.
By meeting the visibility and placement criteria, fire blanket signage ensures that anyone needing to use the equipment can find it without delay, significantly increasing the chances of containing a small fire before it spreads.
