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Fire action notice requirements UK

What to include on a fire action notice, where to display it, and how to comply with the Fire Safety Order 2005.

By Direct Signs Team · ISO 9001 certified UK manufacturer · Updated April 2026

The short answer

A fire action notice is a wall-mounted sign telling occupants what to do if they discover a fire or hear the alarm. UK premises typically need them at every fire alarm call point and in prominent communal areas. Standard wording covers: operate the nearest call point, leave by the nearest fire exit, do not stop for belongings, do not use the lift, report to the assembly point. Required indirectly by the Fire Safety Order 2005 — every fire risk assessment will identify them as essential.

Standard fire action notice wording

Section Standard text
If you discover a fireOperate the nearest call point. Leave the building by the nearest fire exit. Do not return to collect personal belongings.
If you hear the fire alarmLeave the building by the nearest fire exit. Use stairs only — do not use the lift. Report to the assembly point.
Assembly pointReport to [specific assembly point name and location]
Do notDo not use the lift. Do not stop to collect personal belongings. Do not re-enter the building.
Site-specific (optional)Specific marshal contact, emergency phone, lone-worker procedure, or other site-specific instructions

The legal framework

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 ("Fire Safety Order") is the primary UK legislation. It places a duty on the "responsible person" — typically the building owner, occupier, or employer — to ensure occupants can safely evacuate in the event of a fire. The Order doesn't specifically name "fire action notices" but Article 18 (information for employees) and Article 21 (training) require occupants to know what to do.

In practice, every fire risk assessment under the Order identifies a fire action notice at every fire alarm call point as essential. Inspectors expect to see them. Insurers expect to see them. They're a low-cost, high-impact piece of compliance.

Where to display fire action notices

  • At every fire alarm call point — directly above or beside the call point, so anyone activating the alarm sees the notice immediately
  • In prominent communal areas — main lobbies, lift waiting areas, staff rooms, kitchens, canteens
  • On every floor in multi-storey premises
  • At main entrances so visitors see them on arrival
  • Near sleeping accommodation in hotels, care homes, and student halls — typically inside each room or in corridor positions

Sizing and material

Standard sizes: A4 (210×297mm) for small premises with shorter viewing distances; A3 (297×420mm) for larger premises or where viewing distance exceeds 5m. The 1-in-200 character-height rule applies — see our viewing distances guide.

Materials: rigid PVC for indoor permanent installation. Photoluminescent versions for primary call points and high-occupancy buildings. Self-adhesive vinyl for budget installations on smooth indoor surfaces.

Photoluminescent vs standard

Photoluminescent fire action notices remain legible during a power failure. Standard practice in larger UK premises is to specify photoluminescent at primary positions (every fire alarm call point, lift lobbies, main escape routes) and standard at supplementary positions. Smaller premises can rely on standard notices supported by emergency lighting.

See our photoluminescent signs guide for full detail.

Bespoke fire action notices

Most UK premises benefit from bespoke fire action notices that include site-specific information:

  • Named assembly point (e.g. "Report to Assembly Point A in the front car park")
  • Designated fire marshal name or contact
  • Site-specific lone-worker or out-of-hours procedures
  • Multi-language versions for international workforces
  • Branded versions matching company colour scheme

Direct Signs supplies bespoke fire action notices typically with 3-5 working day lead time from artwork approval.

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Quick answers

Fire action notice FAQs

What is a fire action notice?
A fire action notice is the standard wall-mounted sign telling occupants what to do if they discover a fire and what to do if they hear the fire alarm. Standard wording: "If you discover a fire" / "If you hear the fire alarm" / "Do not stop to collect personal belongings" / "Do not use the lift" / "Report to the assembly point". Required by the Fire Safety Order 2005 in non-domestic UK premises.

Are fire action notices a legal requirement?
They are not specifically named in regulation, but the Fire Safety Order 2005 requires the responsible person to ensure occupants know what to do in a fire. A fire action notice at every fire alarm call point is the standard way of meeting that requirement and is expected by fire risk assessors and inspectors.

Where should fire action notices be displayed?
At every fire alarm call point, in prominent communal areas (lobbies, lift waiting areas, staff rooms, kitchens), and on every floor of multi-storey premises. Also typically posted at main entrance points so visitors see them on arrival.

What size should a fire action notice be?
Standard sizes are A4 (210mm × 297mm) for small premises and A3 (297mm × 420mm) for larger premises or where viewing distance is greater. The 1-in-200 rule applies — character height should be at least 1/200 of the maximum viewing distance.

What wording must be included?
Standard fire action notice wording includes: (1) "If you discover a fire — operate the nearest call point and evacuate the building", (2) "If you hear the fire alarm — leave by the nearest fire exit and report to the assembly point", (3) "Do not use the lift", (4) "Do not stop to collect personal belongings", and (5) the assembly point location. Bespoke versions may include site-specific instructions.

Can fire action notices be customised?
Yes. Bespoke wording for site-specific procedures (specific assembly point names, emergency contact numbers, designated marshals) is widely used. Multi-language versions available for international workforces. Provided the standard format is preserved and the legally required information is included, custom wording is fine.

Do fire action notices need to be photoluminescent?
Not specifically required, but photoluminescent versions are common in larger premises where notices need to remain legible during a power failure. Standard practice is to provide photoluminescent at primary call points and standard versions in supplementary positions.

Need fire action notices for your premises?

Standard A4 / A3 notices in stock. Bespoke notices with site-specific assembly points and marshal contacts in 3-5 working days.

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