In Case of Fire Signage

In a healthcare environment, high-quality 'in case of fire' signage is a vital component of patient care—and during an emergency, it becomes a literal lifesaver. When a fire alarm triggers, the instinctive reaction of many patients and visitors is to head toward the same way they entered: the elevator. However, using an elevator during a fire can lead to dangerous entrapment or mechanical failure.

To prevent these risks, an 'in case of fire' sign is a mandatory safety requirement for any healthcare facility with multiple floors. These signs provide immediate, high-visibility instructions that redirect occupants to the safest egress point—the exit stairs. At HealthcareSigns.com, we design our signs to meet the rigorous standards of the medical industry, ensuring your facility remains professional, safe, and easy to navigate.

Understanding 'In Case of Fire' Sign Requirements

Navigating building codes is a major part of healthcare facility management. Whether you’re prepping for a fire marshal walkthrough or outfitting a new clinic, our signs are engineered to help your facility meet the primary standards set by the International Building Code (IBC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

1. Mandatory Message: Per IBC Section 3002.3, every elevator call station must feature a sign that explicitly states: "IN CASE OF FIRE, ELEVATORS ARE OUT OF SERVICE. USE EXIT STAIRS."
2. Visual Pictograms: In high-stress situations, symbols often communicate faster than words. Our 'in case of fire' elevator signage includes standardized pictograms—showing a person using the stairs to escape a fire—to ensure universal understanding for children or non-English speaking patients.
3. Modern Contrast Standards: To satisfy ADA visual character requirements, our signs prioritize a high Light Reflectance Value (LRV) contrast. While the old 70% benchmark has evolved into a more nuanced high contrast requirement in the 2010 ADA, we ensure our signs maintain maximum legibility for those with low vision through expert color pairing and non-glare finishes.

Accessibility, Title 24, and Braille

A frequent point of discussion for facility managers is whether 'in case of fire' signs require tactile characters or braille.

• Informational vs. Permanent: Under federal ADA standards, signage is classified by its function. Because an "in case of fire, elevators are out of service" sign is considered informational rather than a permanent room designation (like a restroom or room number), it is not required by the ADA to include braille.
• Focus on Visual Accessibility: While federal law focuses on visual clarity for informational signs, some state-specific codes, like California’s Title 24, emphasize a holistic approach to accessibility. By focusing on superior visual contrast and standardized symbols, our signs provide the fastest possible communication for the largest number of people, maintaining a safe environment without the need for tactile elements.
• Clear Directives: By omitting tactile elements on these specific informational signs, we focus on larger, bolder text and more impactful pictograms that are easily seen from across a lobby or corridor.

Built for the High-Traffic Healthcare Environment

Our "in case of fire, elevators are out of service" sign options are manufactured specifically for the rigors of the medical industry. We use high-quality acrylics that are:

• Guaranteed ADA Compliant: While these specific signs are visual-only, we guarantee ADA compliance for informational signage, including character height, font style, and Light Reflectance Value (LRV) contrast.
• Easy to Sanitize: Withstands repeated cleaning without fading or peeling.
• Non-Glare Finishes: Our matte finishes prevent glare from obscuring the message during a crisis, ensuring that even in smoke-filled environments, the high-contrast text stands out.
• Guaranteed for Life: Our Life-of-the-Building Guarantee means that if your sign ever fails under normal conditions, we replace it for free.

Strategic Placement for Medical Facilities

To ensure your 'in case of fire' sign requirements are met and your facility passes inspection, placement must be precise:

• Adjacent to Call Buttons: Signs must be mounted on the wall directly next to every elevator call station on every floor.
• Mounting Height: Visual-only signs should be mounted so that the characters are at least 40 inches above the finished floor to ensure they are within the line of sight for all occupants.
• Cohesive Safety: Integrating these into your total life safety signage package ensures that the visual language of your evacuation plan is consistent from the elevator bank to the exit door.

Order Your Compliant ICOF Signage Today

Don't wait for your next fire inspection to discover your elevator signage is missing or non-compliant. Protect your patients and your facility with the industry's most trusted signage.

Shop our full collection of 'In Case of Fire' Signs above!

'In Case of Fire' Signage FAQs