Emergency signage is not a decorative element: it is a legal requirement, an essential component of risk prevention, and a critical tool for ensuring a quick and orderly evacuation in emergency situations.
In this guide you will find a checklist to guide you through compliance with current requirements, technical recommendations, and examples of approved signage available at Signes Shop.
Current regulations: what is required in 2026
Although the main legal framework remains RD 485/1997, in recent years UNE criteria and standards affecting safety signs directly have been updated, including emergency signage, such as the fire extinguisher signs, directional signs, and the rest of the evacuation signs.
The key technical standards are:
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UNE 23034:2023 · Signage on evacuation routes
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UNE 23033-1:2019 · Colors, shapes, and design
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UNE 23035 · Photoluminescence requirements
This means checking not only if the signs exist, but if they are still valid, if they meet the minimum photoluminescence requirements and if they are correctly installed.
Is it necessary to replace all signage?
The regulations do not require all old signs to be replaced immediately, but they do establish several scenarios where updating to UNE 23034:2023 is mandatory.
New construction projects
Any new building, including offices, hotels, hospitals, shopping centers, business centers, among others, must incorporate emergency signage in accordance with UNE 23034:2023, UNE 23033-1, and UNE 23035.
Renovations, rehabilitations, or interior redistributions
If the building changes routes, corridors, access points, stairs, or areas of use, the affected emergency signage must be updated in accordance with the new regulations.
In renovations, the update is mandatory in the modified area and recommended in the rest to ensure visual consistency and compliance.
Replacement of deteriorated signs
Every time a sign is replaced due to deterioration, construction, renovation, or aesthetic update:
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It must be installed already with UNE 23034:2023.
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Old signs cannot be replaced.
Audits, certifications, and emergency plan reviews
Prevention teams already recommend updating when they detect:
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inconsistencies between routes and old signs
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low photoluminescence
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non-harmonized pictograms
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outdated signs in high-traffic areas
In large companies and corporate spaces, this update will be necessary in the short term.
Checklist of emergency signage: key points to check in a building
1. Mandatory emergency signs according to Royal Decree 485/1997
The legislation requires proper signage for hazards, evacuation routes, fire-fighting equipment, and emergency exits. The practical application of these obligations means that any building, public or private, must have the main families of emergency signs to ensure a safe evacuation in compliance with current regulations.
- Exit signs: indicate the final destination of the evacuation. They include:
| E32L-400 · Positional exit | E32K-400 · Positional emergency exit |
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- Evacuation directional signs: guide the user continuously until the emergency exit. Signes offers the complete range: right, left, up, down, and combined (up right or left and down right or left. Below are several examples:
| E32A-400 · Right door directional | E32G-400 · Up right door directional |
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Fire-fighting equipment signs: the fire extinguisher sign, the fire hose cabinet sign, and the alarm push button sign are mandatory according to RIPCI and are considered an essential part of emergency signage. Some examples from Signes Shop:
| E43C-400 · Push Button Pictogram | E43E-400 · Dry Riser Pictogram |
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- Signs in refuge areas or for evacuation routes for people with reduced mobility: the evacuation route sign is mandatory if the building has an accessible route for people with reduced mobility ( hotels, hospitals, cultural centers, public buildings, shopping centers, universities, etc.) or a refuge area. Some examples from Signes Shop:
| E32N-400 · Positional refuge area | E32R-400 · Left PRM pictogram |
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- Prohibition and critical warning signs in evacuation: in UNE 23034:2023, both signs are considered essential to ensure a safe evacuation and derive directly from the legal obligations of Royal Decree 485/1997 and CTE DB-SI.
| E50AT-400 · Fire lift | E50BT-400 · No exit |
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- Signage for doors and emergency opening mechanisms: the NO EXIT sign is mandatory when there is a risk that people may mistake a door or corridor for an evacuation route. The panic bar is also mandatory on evacuation doors in public buildings, highly occupied areas, and spaces regulated by CTE DB-SI.
| E33T-400 · No exit | E32M-400 · Panic bar |
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There are other mandatory sign families, such as stairwell signs or assembly point signs. If you need them for your project, contact our team of experts for advice.
2. Location and consistency of routes
- Continuous evacuation route.
- No turns, no signs or arrows pointing toward dead ends.
- No duplications or contradictions.
- Recommended installation height between 2.00 and 2.50 m to ensure visibility and avoid obstructions, according to UNE 23034:2023 and UNE 23033-1 criteria.
- Old and new signs must not coexist.
Check:
◻ Match with evacuation plans.
◻ Clear and unambiguous routes.
3. Visibility, lighting and legibility
- Signs visible from the appropriate distance.
- No obstructions blocking the view.
- Sufficient lighting to ensure legibility under normal conditions of use.
- Visibility guaranteed in garages, basements, and dark areas, supplemented with photoluminescence when necessary.
Check:
◻ No reflections or shadows that hinder legibility.
◻ Sizes, contrasts, and proportions according to UNE 23033-1.
5. Physical condition and maintenance
- Signs in good condition: no dents, discoloration, or deterioration.
- Correctly attached, without peeling or deformation.
- Material suitable for indoor or outdoor use according to the environment.
Check:
◻ Periodic review (at least annually).
◻ Always replace with signage compliant with UNE 23034:2023.
6. Accessibility in emergencies
When the building has accessibility requirements or refuge areas according to CTE DB-SUA and DB-SI.
- PMR signs on accessible routes.
- Safe area correctly identified, if applicable.
- Accessible signage for assisted evacuation.
Check:
◻ Good visibility from wheelchair height.
◻ Use of braille or raised lettering where required.
7. Exterior signage and assembly point
(required in buildings with an Emergency or Self-Protection Plan)
- Exterior exits correctly marked.
- Assembly point visible and accessible.
- Clear exterior routes in campuses, hotels, or business complexes.
Check:
◻ Assembly point updated and free from obstructions.
◻ Consistency between interior and exterior routes.
Emergency signage Signs: lasting quality, integration into spaces, and regulatory compliance
Buildings need proper emergency signage. It is both an obligation and a responsibility toward the people who use them.
Designing a space and integrating signage without compromising the aesthetics or functionality of the location is a challenge for those who offer excellence in design.
For these cases, we have created the Signes 1000 Series, our premium series of emergency signage. With lasting premium quality, they integrate elegantly into any architectural space.
DOWNLOAD THE 3D MODELS OF THE SIGNS FOR YOUR PROJECT
Download here the files for all the SERIES in different formats and explore each design before integrating it into your project.