Nooduitgangborden

Nooduitgangborden, or emergency exit signs, are safety signs that indicate the location of an exit to a safe area during an emergency. They are designed to guide people toward the quickest egress and help ensure a orderly evacuation, especially in crowded or smoke-filled environments.

Most signs feature a green background with a white pictogram of a running person and an arrow showing the direction to the exit. The symbol is commonly aligned with ISO/EN 7010 standards for safety signs. Some versions may include additional wording in the local language. Signs can be either photoluminescent, meaning they glow in the dark, or externally/ internally illuminated to remain visible during power outages.

Placement and visibility are key. Nooduitgangborden are installed along escape routes, in corridors and stairwells, and above doors where exits are located. They should be mounted at a height and location that makes them easily visible from multiple angles, and kept free from obstructions. In larger buildings, directional arrows guide evacuees toward the appropriate exit route.

Regulatory context and standards: in Europe, emergency exit signs typically conform to EN 7010 for safety signage and, where relevant, EN 1838 for emergency lighting. National building regulations provide the concrete requirements for installation, maintenance, and testing. In the Netherlands, Dutch regulations align with these European standards and local codes such as Bouwbesluit, which set specific maintenance and inspection requirements.

Maintenance and testing: signs should be inspected regularly, cleaned as needed, and replaced if damaged or faded. Lighting systems and battery backups should be tested to ensure visibility during emergencies.