No Entry Signs

No entry signs: when, where, and why

No entry signs are one of the most common signs in UK workplaces. They control access to areas where unauthorised entry creates a risk — to the visitor, to operations, or to security. Direct Signs has manufactured prohibition signage in the UK since 1980 and supplies no entry signs in vinyl, rigid PVC, aluminium composite, and aluminium across every size standard British workplaces use.

Where no entry signs are typically required

UK law doesn't list "where to put a no entry sign" by location, but several regulations effectively require them:

• Plant rooms, electrical intake rooms, and switchgear cupboards — Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require restricted access to live electrical equipment.
• Hazardous chemical storage — COSHH 2002 (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) requires controlled access to areas where hazardous substances are stored or used.
• Construction sites — CDM 2015 requires the principal contractor to control site access. No entry signs at hoardings and gates form part of that.
• One-way doors and emergency exits — fire risk assessments and BS 9999 (fire safety code of practice) often require "no entry" signs on the back of one-way fire doors.
• Restricted security zones — server rooms, secure storage, and access-controlled areas where unauthorised entry could compromise security.

Standard versus bespoke wording

The most common stock signs are:

• "No entry" + standard prohibition pictogram — the universal red-circle-with-bar
• "Authorised personnel only" — text-led prohibition for restricted access areas
• "Staff only" — public/staff boundary control
• "Do not enter" — direct prohibition wording, often paired with a reason ("Plant room", "Live electricity")
• "No public access" — common in service corridors of hospitals, hotels, schools
• "Fire exit, no entry" — for the back of fire exit doors that are one-way

Bespoke wording — naming the specific reason, person to contact, or restriction — is often more useful than a generic sign. A "Plant room — contact facilities on ext 4500" is more actionable than "No entry". Direct Signs manufactures custom wording on the same materials with a typical 3-5 working day lead time.

Materials by environment

Choose based on where the sign is going:

• Self-adhesive vinyl — interior smooth surfaces (doors, painted walls, glass). Lowest cost.
• Rigid PVC (Foamex) — general-purpose, indoor and sheltered outdoor. Mountable with screws or VHB tape.
• Aluminium composite — exterior, weather-resistant, long-life. Standard for outdoor gates and hoardings.
• Aluminium — high-impact, industrial environments, vehicle yards.