Fire door signage provides clear instructions about how fire doors should be used during normal building occupancy. Correct signage helps ensure that fire doors perform their intended function during a fire.
Missing or incorrect signage is a common issue identified during Fire Risk Assessments. In many buildings, inspectors expect appropriate fire door signs to be fitted where required and positioned so that they are clearly visible.
This page explains the typical requirements for fire door signage and links to more detailed guidance about specific sign types.
Why fire door signage is important
Fire doors are designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. For this protection to work effectively, building occupants must use fire doors correctly.
Signage helps communicate important instructions such as:
- keeping fire doors closed
- keeping certain fire doors locked
- keeping automatic fire doors clear
Without appropriate signage, occupants may unknowingly compromise fire door performance.
Fire door signage - legal context (UK)
Fire door signage is not defined by a single prescriptive rule. Instead, it is assessed as part of the wider duty to ensure fire doors are used correctly and perform as intended in the event of a fire.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO), the Responsible Person must ensure that fire safety measures are properly maintained and that occupants can use them safely and effectively.
In practice, this includes providing appropriate information and instruction, which commonly involves signage where it is needed to support correct behaviour.
Additional expectations are informed by:
- Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, which place greater emphasis on inspection and management of fire doors in certain residential buildings
- BS EN ISO 7010, which standardises safety sign symbols and formats
- BS 5499, which provides guidance on safety signage, including visibility and consistency
While legislation does not prescribe exact signage requirements for every door, in real buildings signage is typically expected where it helps to:
- ensure fire doors are kept closed where required
- prevent misuse (such as wedging doors open)
- make the function of the door immediately clear
- support safe evacuation and compartmentation
During Fire Risk Assessments and routine inspections, the absence of appropriate signage in these situations is commonly identified as a fire safety issue.
What inspectors typically assess
When reviewing fire door signage, inspectors are not just checking whether a sign is present. They are assessing whether signage is appropriate, visible, and effective in context.
This usually includes:
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Need – is signage required based on how the door is used?
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Wording – is the message clear and consistent with recognised formats?
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Position – is the sign visible on approach, typically at eye level?
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Condition – is the sign legible, secure, and not worn or damaged?
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Consistency – are similar doors treated in the same way across the building?
Signage that is missing, unclear, poorly positioned, or inconsistent is commonly recorded as part of fire door inspection findings.
Common types of fire door signage
Fire door signage is typically assessed based on the function of the door and how it is expected to be used. The categories below reflect the types of signs most commonly referenced during inspections.
Fire Door Keep Shut
Used on self-closing fire doors that are intended to remain closed at all times.
These signs are typically expected where a door forms part of a fire-resisting compartment or protects an escape route.
Common locations include:
- corridors
- stair enclosures
- cross-corridor doors
Inspectors will usually expect these signs to be:
- clearly visible on approach
- positioned at approximately eye level (typically around 1.5m to 2.0m from the floor)
- applied consistently across similar doors
Fire Door Keep Locked
Used on fire doors that must remain closed and secured to prevent unauthorised access.
These are typically expected where access to the space behind the door could introduce risk.
Common locations include:
- service risers
- electrical cupboards
- plant rooms
In these cases, signage supports both fire safety and access control.
Automatic Fire Door Keep Clear
Used on doors held open by automatic release mechanisms, such as those connected to a fire alarm system.
These signs indicate that the door must not be obstructed, as it is designed to close automatically in the event of a fire.
Common locations include:
- circulation routes
- open-plan areas
- large compartment lines
Inspectors will typically check that the door can close fully and is not blocked.
Fire Door Keep Clear (non-automatic)
Used where obstruction of a door would prevent it from operating correctly.
These are less common but may be used where:
- door swing must remain unobstructed
- there is a history of misuse or blockage
Sign placement and visibility
Fire door signs are typically positioned at eye level and centrally on the door leaf so that they are easily seen when approaching the door.
Inspectors will often note signage that is missing, incorrectly positioned or difficult to read.
