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A fire assembly point is where everyone goes after leaving the building, so someone can check that nobody is missing and tell the fire service. The sign that marks it is green with white figures, the ISO 7010 symbol E007. Getting the spot right matters more than the sign itself: too close and people stand in danger or block the fire engines, too far and nobody goes there. Here is how to choose the place, mark it and keep it working.
Choosing where the assembly point goes #
Your fire risk assessment and emergency plan decide the assembly point. When you walk the site, look for a place that is:
- Far enough from the building to be safe from heat, smoke, falling glass and debris. A common rule of thumb is at least the building’s height away, more for tall buildings.
- Out of the way of the fire service, so engines can reach the building and hydrants, and nobody has to cross their path.
- Reached without going back past the fire, ideally from every final exit.
- Big enough for everyone who could be in the building at its busiest, including visitors and contractors.
- Safe in itself: not across a busy road, not in a car park where people drive out during an alarm, not where a delivery lorry reverses.
Larger or shared sites often have a second assembly point in case the first is affected by the fire or by the wind carrying smoke. Number or name them so the roll call knows which is which.
Marking it #
Put the sign where it can be seen from the final exits, or signed on the way if it is round a corner. Common mountings are a wall or fence at the gathering area, or a post set into the ground in an open car park. Mount it high enough to see over parked cars and people, and keep it clear of hedges that grow over the summer.
For outdoor signs, 3 mm Dibond (aluminium composite) holds up to weather far better than Foamex. Our guide to fixing a sign to a wall covers screws and plugs for brick, block and render.
Making the assembly point work on the day #
- Tell people where it is at induction, and show it on the fire action notices near each call point.
- Keep a roll call method that works without the building: a visitor book that goes out with the receptionist, a printed list, or a digital register on a phone.
- Practise it. A fire drill is the only way to find out that half the staff go to the old meeting place by the bins.
- Look after people who need help to evacuate, with a personal plan agreed in advance.
The GOV.UK workplace fire safety page explains the responsible person’s duty to plan for emergencies, including evacuation.
Signs for the whole route #
- Fire assembly point signs in A4 (210 × 297 mm), A3, A2 and A1 (594 × 841 mm). A3 or bigger reads well across a car park.
- Escape route signs to get people there; our fire exit signs guide explains arrows and positions.
- Fire alarm call point signs and fire extinguisher signs for inside.
Want an assembly point sign with a number, a site name or a second language? Send the details through get a quote.
Questions people ask #
What colour is a fire assembly point sign?
Green with a white symbol. It is a safe condition sign, the same family as fire exit signs, and the standard symbol is ISO 7010 E007.
How far should a fire assembly point be from the building?
Far enough to be clear of heat, smoke and falling debris, and out of the way of the fire service. A common rule of thumb is at least the height of the building away, but your fire risk assessment should set the actual distance.
Is a fire assembly point a legal requirement?
The law requires an emergency plan that gets people out safely, and for most workplaces that includes a place to gather and check everyone is out. The fire risk assessment decides the details.
Can the assembly point be in the car park?
Often, yes, as long as people will not be standing among moving vehicles during an alarm and the fire service can still get to the building.