Fire Action Notice

An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.

What a fire action notice is

A fire action notice is a concise, visible notice — usually posted near call points and exits — that summarises the key actions: raise the alarm, leave by the nearest exit, do not use lifts, and go to the assembly point.

This page is an educational overview with a simplified example of what such a notice usually contains. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides the wording for their site.

Purpose

• Tell people what to do on discovering a fire or hearing the alarm.
• Summarise the evacuation actions in a few clear lines.
• Point to the nearest exit and the assembly point.
• Reinforce the fuller evacuation plan at a glance.

Who prepares it

• A nominated person on the employer’s behalf, often facilities or safety.
• Based on the building’s evacuation plan.
• Displayed where people will see it, near call points and exits.
• It is the employer’s responsibility to keep it accurate.

When it is used

• Displayed permanently for everyone in the building.
• Referred to at induction and in briefings.
• Updated when routes, exits or the assembly point change.
• Checked during warden rounds.

Typical contents

• What to do on discovering a fire — raise the alarm.
• What to do on hearing the alarm — leave by the nearest exit.
• Do not stop for belongings; do not use lifts.
• Where the assembly point is.
• Location-specific details for the area it is posted in.
• Example contents only — adapt them to your building and the applicable law.

Common mistakes

• Showing an assembly point or exit that has changed.
• Generic notices that do not match the actual area.
• Notices hidden, faded or removed.
• Wording so long that nobody reads it.

Document workflow

A fire action notice is the public-facing summary of the emergency evacuation plan and points to the assembly point register’s muster point. It is checked on the fire warden checklist and reinforced during the fire drill recorded on the fire drill record.

See the related documents below for what is commonly used with a fire action notice.

Retention (high level)

The current notice is kept on display; superseded versions are generally replaced promptly when details change. This page does not state a period — confirm any record-keeping with the applicable law and the official authority.

Completing and sharing as a PDF

Fire action notices are often produced as PDFs for printing and display. Exporting to PDF supports preparation; it does not make the notice official or guarantee compliance.

Employer checklist

• Make sure the notice matches the area where it is posted.
• Keep exits and assembly point details accurate.
• Display it clearly near call points and exits.
• Update it promptly when anything changes.

Worker notes

• Read the notice for your area and know your nearest exit.
• Follow it in an alarm — do not stop for belongings.
• Tell your employer if it is wrong, missing or faded.

Country considerations

Conventions for fire action notices and signage vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee of validity.

Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.

Who is responsible

The employer is responsible for displaying accurate fire action information and for compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not determine your wording and does not transfer responsibility.