{"id":902,"date":"2021-09-23T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-23T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/compliance-signs.local\/wayfinding-signs-for-convenience-and-safety\/"},"modified":"2022-07-25T11:45:46","modified_gmt":"2022-07-25T15:45:46","slug":"wayfinding-signs-for-convenience-and-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.compliancesigns.com\/blog\/wayfinding-signs-for-convenience-and-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Wayfinding Signs for Convenience and Safety"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A customer in a large store asks an employee where he can find a restroom. The employee points towards the back of the store. With a shrug, the customer heads back that way but can\u2019t see any restroom signs<\/a>. He thinks, \u201cMaybe it\u2019s behind these doors?\u201d He pushes open the metal doors to the back storeroom. Still no restroom.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He decides to turn the corner, and before he can react, he is hit by a moving forklift and seriously injured. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The forklift operator had no reason to expect anyone to be back there, but because the customer could not find the restroom he was looking for, he found himself wandering where he shouldn\u2019t be. A simple lack of wayfinding signage could have cost him his life. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this scenario was fictional, the danger is very real. Keeping both visitors and employees informed with wayfinding signage<\/a> is an essential part of keeping your workplace safe.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Wayfinding?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Simply put, wayfinding signs are signs that help people find what they need. From proper labeling of rooms to clearly marked exits, wayfinding signage can reduce confusion and increase safety. Here are seven types of wayfinding signs you should consider for your facility.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Entry and Exit<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nothing is more frustrating than not knowing where to enter a building you are visiting. You don\u2019t want to go in the wrong door and end up where you shouldn\u2019t be. The same goes for exits. All entry and exits should be adequately marked with signs to help people find their way in and out of your facility.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Emergency Exits, Routes and Equipment<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When an emergency strikes, time is of the essence. All emergency exits should be easily identifiable. Evacuation routes should be marked on maps as well as signs throughout your facility that can be seen even during a power outage. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emergency equipment like fire alarms, extinguishers, AEDs,  and eye wash stations should also be clearly marked and easy to find and identify.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Directory<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In a larger building or campus, it\u2019s beneficial to have some sort of directory. It can be in map form or simply a listing of suite numbers. Having a directory, or a few directories, can take a lot of confusion out of finding a person\u2019s destination. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Room Identification<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No matter how good your directions are, they won\u2019t mean much if they can\u2019t figure out which room is which. Signs that identify rooms are essential for helping people find where they need to be quickly. Consider signage for the following room types:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n