Fire Door Sign Do Not Obstruct Red Safety

Description

A combined “Fire Door — Do Not Obstruct / Do Not Keep Open” sign in UV-rated PVC plastic. Red background with white text — 365mm wide × 175mm tall. A single panel carrying both instructions for fire doors that must remain closed and clear at all times. Used where a fire door must not be propped open during normal building operation AND must never have its swing path or latch area obstructed.

Many fire doors in commercial buildings face both problems: they are propped open for convenience (wedges, door stops, furniture), and separately, their closing path is obstructed by goods or equipment. A combined sign addresses both issues with a single installation. The larger 365 × 175mm format accommodates both messages clearly and is designed to be readable from a normal approach distance without crowding the text.

Where to Use

• Stairwell fire doors that occupants frequently prop open between floors
• Fire doors between office and warehouse/loading areas where both propping and obstruction are common
• Corridor fire doors in healthcare and institutional buildings where doors are propped for trolley access
• Plant room and mechanical room fire doors with both obstruction and propping risks
• Any fire door where both “do not keep open” and “do not obstruct” messages are required at the same point

Key Features

• 365mm × 175mm format — larger panel fits both instructions clearly
• Combined “Do Not Obstruct” and “Do Not Keep Open” on a single sign
• Red field with white text — high-contrast, legible
• UV-rated PVC plastic — long service life without fading or colour shift

Compliance & Placement

The NCC requires fire doors to be maintained in a closed position and kept clear of obstruction. AS 1851 includes fire door inspection — at each service, the technician confirms door operation, self-closing mechanism function, and that all required signage is present and legible. Mount this sign on the door face or adjacent wall at eye height (typically 1,500–1,800mm from floor level), positioned so it is clearly visible from both sides of the door. In high-traffic areas where repeated propping is a persistent problem, supplement signage with a self-closing device or door closer servicing — signage alone does not physically prevent propping.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use the combined sign versus separate “Do Not Obstruct” and “Do Not Keep Open” signs?

If both conditions apply to the same door — it must not be propped open AND its swing area must not be obstructed — the combined sign is more efficient than two separate signs. Use separate signs when only one condition applies: the “Do Not Obstruct” sign alone (SIFSDNO) where the door is never propped open but obstruction is the risk; the combined sign where both are ongoing issues. When in doubt, the combined sign covers all bases.

Why do people prop fire doors open and why is it a problem?

Occupants prop fire doors open for convenience — preventing the door from swinging closed when moving between areas, reducing noise from doors banging, or improving air circulation. The problem is that a propped-open fire door provides no fire compartmentation. In a fire event, smoke spreads through the building via open doorways; a propped fire door can make the difference between a contained fire and a building-wide smoke emergency. Fire doors must self-close and latch to maintain the building’s passive fire protection system.

What does “Do Not Keep Open” mean for automatic closing fire doors?

Some fire doors are fitted with electromagnetic or mechanical hold-open devices that release on smoke alarm activation — allowing the door to stay open during normal building operation while guaranteeing closure on alarm. For these doors, “Do Not Keep Open” means do not use unauthorised hold-open devices (wedges, door stops) in addition to the fitted system. The fitted hold-open device is compliant; propping with unauthorised means bypasses the alarm-triggered closure and is not compliant. If a door needs to be held open regularly, install a compliant hold-open device — not a wedge.

Does this sign need to be on both sides of the door?

AS 1851 requires fire doors to be identifiable on both sides. For a door in a high-traffic corridor, mounting the sign on both faces ensures the message is visible regardless of approach direction. For doors that are only approached from one side in normal use (e.g., a one-way loading dock door), a single sign on the approach face may be sufficient — but mounting on both sides is best practice and removes ambiguity for maintenance staff and inspectors.

Is the red colour a compliance requirement for fire door signs?

The NCC and AS 1851 reference fire door signage requirements but do not mandate a specific colour for “Do Not Obstruct” or “Do Not Keep Open” signs in the same way AS 2444 specifies red for fire extinguisher location signs. Red is the dominant colour for this sign type in Australian practice because it signals a safety/compliance instruction and provides high contrast with most door surfaces. White text on red field is the standard format used across the Australian fire safety signage industry for fire door compliance signs.