Effective emergency preparedness is built on two critical pillars: comprehensive
evacuation planning and the use of strategically placed hazard-specific signage. In high-stress emergency situations, occupants rely on visual cues to make fast, safe decisions—making signage an essential component of any emergency action plan.
This white paper guides facility safety professionals in:
- Designing evacuation zones and assembly areas
- Selecting compliant, hazard-specific signage aligned with OSHA and ANSI
standards - Implementing layered signage systems across facility environments
- Maintaining visibility through lighting and photoluminescence
- Training staff and conducting drills to reinforce evacuation procedures
We also examine recent research—including a large-scale eye-tracking study, to provide
evidence-based recommendations for effective evacuation signage design in complex
environments.
