Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Prohibition signs
Signs prohibiting behaviour likely to cause or increase 
danger.
Circular sign
Red edging and cross stripe (35% of area)
White ground
Black pictogram.
E.g. No smoking.
Warning signs
Signs giving warning of a hazard or danger.
Triangular sign
Yellow ground (50% of area)
Black edging and pictogram.
E.g. Explosive atmosphere.
Emergency escape or fi rst aid signs
Fire safety signs (also known as safe condition signs).
Signs giving information on emergency exits, fi rst aid, res-
cue facilities, etc.
Rectangular or square sign
Green ground (50% of area)
White pictogram.
E.g. Emergency exit.
Figure 6.4
A typical no smoking sign
Figure 6.3
Typical fi re door keep shut sign

---

Introduction to Fire Safety Management
106
Fire signs
Signs showing the direction to, or location of, fi re fi ght-
ing equipment.
Rectangular or square sign
Red ground (50% of area)
White pictogram.
E.g. fi re extinguisher.
an organisation will directly affect each of the elements 
of the hierarchy of controls if elimination has not been 
achieved. Therefore discipline in the shape of supervision 
and monitoring will also form part of the control process.
It is likely that rather that placing reliance upon 
any one individual control measure covered in ERICPD 
a combination of controls outlined in the hierarchy will 
often be required and then supported by an appropriate 
level of supervision and monitoring.
6.4
Supervision and monitoring
With the exception of elimination, the remainder of the 
hierarchy of controls will require an adequate level of 
supervision and monitoring. This will ensure that the 
controls are implemented and maintained, particularly 
those that place a heavy reliance upon humans.
For example, effective management of both primary 
and secondary fi re hazards is essential and the role 
of effective supervision and monitoring must not be 
underestimated.
A well-trained and competent person will be able to 
undertake a level of ‘self supervision’ reducing the need 
for more formal management supervision. The level of 
self supervision will also need to take into account the 
level of risk.
When considering a programme of hot works the 
levels of supervision will be dependent upon both the 
competence of the individual undertaking the task and 
the risk of fi re starting and spreading. Therefore for this 
higher risk activity effective management systems with 
appropriate levels of formal supervision are essential to 
control the risks. The levels of supervision and monitor-
ing required will need to take into account the following 
factors:
➤
Individual factors, e.g.:
➤
Competence
➤
Capability
➤
Age
➤
Task factors, e.g.:
➤
Complexity
➤
Frequency of operations
➤
Environment
➤
Risk factors, e.g.:
➤
To the individual
➤
To other groups or persons
➤
To the business
➤
To the environment.
The type and level of safety monitoring will depend upon 
the workplace precautions or controls in place. Monitoring 
of engineering controls such as fi re detection and alarm 
systems will be based on formal systems such as those