Safety Signs

Fire safety signs identify the location of fire equipment, emergency exits, and evacuation routes for building occupants and emergency responders. Australian workplace health and safety legislation (WHS Act) and the National Construction Code require compliant fire safety signage in all commercial, industrial, and public buildings. All signs stocked here comply with AS 1319 (safety signs for the occupational environment) and AS 2444 (selection and location of portable fire extinguishers). Prices from $7.54 with fast delivery Australia-wide.

Sign categories

Which signs are legally required?

Sign requirements depend on the building class and the fire equipment installed. As a general guide:

• Fire extinguisher signs — required by AS 2444 wherever a portable extinguisher is installed. The sign must be visible from at least 10 metres.
• Fire hose reel signs — required by AS 2441 at every hose reel installation point.
• Exit signs — required by the NCC in all commercial and public buildings. Must be illuminated or luminescent in buildings with emergency lighting requirements.
• Fire door signs — required on all fire-rated doors to prevent obstruction that would compromise compartmentation.
• Fire hydrant signs — required by state fire authorities to identify hydrant access points for fire services.

Your local fire authority and building certifier can confirm the specific sign requirements for your building class and occupancy.

Sign materials and formats

We stock signs in rigid plastic and metal, in a range of sizes and mounting formats:

• Small and standard — for wall mounting at standard viewing distances (up to 10m)
• Large — for open areas, warehouses, and high-ceiling environments where visibility over greater distances is needed
• Angle/right angle — for corner mounting, allowing the sign to be read from two directions
• Arrow — directional variants for indicating which direction the equipment is located
• Stickers — for vehicles, forklifts, and mobile plant where rigid signs cannot be mounted

Frequently asked questions

Are fire safety signs required by law in Australia?

Yes — the requirement for fire safety signs flows from multiple pieces of legislation and standards. The NCC mandates exit and emergency signage. AS 2444 requires extinguisher location signs. AS 2441 requires hose reel signs. WHS regulations require hazard identification signage. Non-compliant or missing signs will result in a failed fire safety audit. Signs are one of the most cost-effective compliance investments — most are under $20 each.

What standard do Australian fire safety signs comply with?

Fire safety signs must comply with AS 1319 — Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment. This standard sets requirements for sign colours, pictograms, text size, and visibility. Location-specific requirements (where to place extinguisher signs, hose reel signs, etc.) are covered by AS 2444 and AS 2441 respectively. All signs stocked here meet AS 1319 requirements.

How do I know which fire extinguisher sign to use?

Match the sign to the extinguisher agent type: ABE (white band) → ABE sign, CO2 (black band) → CO2 sign, wet chemical (oatmeal band) → wet chemical sign. For mixed installations or where agent type is less critical, a general Fire Extinguisher location sign meets the AS 2444 minimum requirement.

Where should fire safety signs be mounted?

AS 2444 requires extinguisher signs to be mounted so the bottom of the sign is between 2.0m and 3.5m above the floor, directly above or adjacent to the equipment. Exit signs must be mounted above doorways. Hose reel signs should be at the reel location, clearly visible from the approach direction. All signs must be unobstructed at all times.

Do fire safety signs need to be replaced after a fire?

Any sign that is damaged, discoloured, faded, or illegible must be replaced — regardless of whether damage was caused by a fire or general wear. This is checked during the 6-monthly fire safety inspection under AS 1851. Maintaining legible, correctly positioned signs is an ongoing compliance obligation, not a one-time installation task.