Whether you work in a small office, a large corporate headquarters or a shared workspace, certain safety signs have become familiar features of modern buildings. From fire exit and first aid signs to CCTV notices and washroom reminders, these signs are used in offices across the UK and are instantly recognisable to staff and visitors alike.
Many of these signs are so common that we barely notice them. Yet their colours, symbols and simple messages help people quickly identify important information throughout a building.
Here are ten of the most common office safety signs you are likely to encounter.
1. Fire Exit Signs
Perhaps the most recognisable of all office safety signs, fire exit signs are a familiar sight in workplaces, schools and public buildings throughout the UK.
Typically displayed above doors and along corridors, these green signs help identify escape routes and exits. Their distinctive running-man symbol makes them easy to recognise, even at a glance.
Fire exit signs are commonly found in:
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Corridors
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Stairwells
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Final exits
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Reception areas
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Shared office spaces
Because they are so widely used, most people instinctively understand their meaning.
Fire Exit signage is often accompanied by an ‘Emergency Assembly Point’ sign, which informs people where to gather for roll call in case of emergency.
2. First Aid Signs
First aid signs are another common feature of office environments. Usually green with white symbols, these signs help identify first aid equipment, treatment rooms and designated first aid areas.
They are frequently positioned near:
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Reception desks
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Kitchens
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Welfare areas
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Staff rooms
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Medical rooms
Their simple design makes them easy to spot and instantly recognisable to employees and visitors alike.
On this theme, you may also find signs that help to locate first aid and medical equipment such as defibrillators, burns kits and eye wash stations.
3. No Smoking Signs
Since smoke-free legislation was introduced, No Smoking signs have become one of the most familiar signs in workplaces across the country.
Typically displayed near entrances and reception areas, these signs are also frequently found throughout office buildings and communal areas.
Their instantly recognisable red symbol makes them one of the most widely recognised safety signs in everyday life.
More recently, No Smoking signs have evolved into No Smoking or Vaping signs to keep up with the changing environment.
4. CCTV in Operation Signs
Many office buildings use CCTV systems to help monitor entrances, reception areas and car parks. As a result, CCTV signs are a common sight in workplaces of all sizes.
They are often displayed:
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At entrances
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In reception areas
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Around car parks
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Near loading bays
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In shared access areas
Their clear message helps inform visitors and employees that surveillance systems are in operation.
There are ICO requirements for workplaces to display information about their CCTV system and why and how it is used. To support this, CCTV This System Is Controlled By sign is now available to order from us.
5. Mind the Step Signs
Changes in floor level, raised thresholds and small steps are common features in many buildings, particularly older properties and converted offices.
Mind the Step signs are frequently used to draw attention to these areas and are commonly found in:
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Stairwells
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Corridors
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Entranceways
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Internal doorways
Their bright colours and simple wording help make them easy to notice.
- Trips and slips are the most common health and safety incident in UK workplaces. You can read more about using safety signs to reduce slips and trips in the workplace.
6. Wash Your Hands Signs
Wash Your Hands signs have long been a familiar feature of office washrooms and kitchens, and have grown in popularity everywhere with increased awareness of the importance of workplace hygiene.
Found in workplaces of all sizes, they are commonly positioned in:
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Toilets
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Staff kitchens
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Break rooms
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Welfare facilities
Their simple message and clear symbols make them suitable for a wide range of environments.
7. Visitors and Drivers Please Report to Reception Signs
Most offices regularly welcome customers, contractors, delivery drivers and other visitors.
Visitor management signs are commonly displayed at entrances and reception desks to help direct people to the appropriate area and provide a professional first impression. Without these signs, there is a risk that visitors will wander into unsuitable areas of your site, compromising safety and security. Clear signs speed up delivery times and reassure visitors that they are welcome and in the right place.
These signs are particularly popular in:
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Offices
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Warehouses
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Schools
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Healthcare facilities
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Industrial premises
8. Fire Door Keep Closed Signs
Fire doors are a familiar feature in commercial buildings, and accompanying signs are commonly fitted directly to the doors themselves. The signs serve as a reminder to keep essential fire doors closed, reducing the risk of a fire hazard spreading and protecting your staff and visitors.
Messages such as "Fire Door Keep Closed" and "Fire Door Keep Locked" are regularly encountered throughout office buildings and are easily recognised by staff and visitors.
They are often found near:
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Corridors
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Stairwells
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Plant rooms
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Service areas
9. Caution Hot Water Signs
Found mainly in staff and visitor bathrooms, kitchens, and anywhere else there is running water, Hot Water signs warn users that water from the tap may be very hot and cause scalds. Caution Hot Water signs alert people to a potential hazard and prevent injury.
HSE guidelines mean that workplaces need to have running water available to staff and visitors for welfare and hygiene purposes but hot water can sometimes run too hot for human use.
10. Fire Extinguisher Signs
Most offices contain at least one type of fire extinguisher, making fire extinguisher signs a familiar sight in workplaces across the UK. Positioned directly above or alongside the extinguisher itself, these signs help identify the type of extinguisher available and provide information about the kinds of fires it is intended for.
Common examples include Water, Foam, CO₂ and Dry Powder fire extinguisher signs, each featuring distinctive colours, symbols and simple guidance. They are frequently found in corridors, kitchens, reception areas and near exits, helping ensure that fire-fighting equipment can be easily identified.
Other Signs Commonly Seen in Office Buildings
While the ten signs above are among the most familiar, many offices also feature:
Depending on the size and layout of the building, these signs are commonly encountered throughout workplaces across the UK.
Where Are Office Safety Signs Commonly Located?
Reception Areas
Reception areas often feature visitor signs, CCTV signs and directional signs to help guide visitors and contractors.
Stairwells and Corridors
Fire exit signs, Push Bar to Open signs and Mind the Step signs are regularly found throughout staircases and corridors.
Car Parks
CCTV signs, pedestrian signs and waymarker and directional signs are frequently used around workplace car parks and access routes. Check out our range of car parking signs.
Plant Rooms and Service Areas
Restricted access signs, warning signs and fire door signs are commonly seen in maintenance areas and service rooms.
Toilets, Kitchens and Welfare Facilities
Hand washing reminders and accessibility signs are frequently found in washrooms and welfare areas.
Office Safety Signs Are Available in a Variety of Materials
Office safety signs are available in several different formats and materials to suit different applications.
Popular choices include:
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Self-adhesive vinyl signs for smooth surfaces.
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Rigid PVC (Foamex) signs for walls and doors.
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Aluminium composite signs (Dibond) for more demanding environments.
Different materials offer different advantages depending on where the sign will be displayed and the appearance required.
- Please read our article about Choosing the right safety signs material.
Frequently Asked Questions About Office Safety Signs
What are the most common office safety signs?
Fire exit signs, first aid signs, No Smoking signs, CCTV signs and visitor signs are among the most common signs found in office buildings.
Why do safety signs use symbols?
Symbols can often be recognised more quickly than words and help communicate messages clearly to a wide audience.
Are office safety signs available as stickers and rigid signs?
Yes. Many office signs are available as both self-adhesive vinyl stickers and rigid signs, allowing them to be used on doors, walls and other surfaces.
Are office safety signs only used in offices?
No. Many of the signs commonly found in offices are also widely used in schools, healthcare facilities, warehouses, public buildings and industrial premises.
Familiar Signs That Often Go Unnoticed
Because we encounter them every day, many office safety signs simply blend into the background. Yet their familiar colours, symbols and straightforward messages have become a standard part of modern working life.
From reception areas and kitchens to stairwells and exits, these signs help communicate information quickly and clearly. Their widespread use means that most people instinctively understand the messages they convey, making them an important feature of office buildings across the UK.
At Parrot Signs & Graphics, we supply a wide range of office safety signs, including fire safety signs, first aid signs, washroom signs, CCTV signs and visitor signs, available in a variety of sizes and materials to suit different environments.