FAQ

New and returning clients should submit a quote request form to begin a project. Once submitted, a Pictographix project manager will reach out to go over next steps.

To provide an accurate quote, we need the building’s floor plans, the number of maps required, and the sign size. If you plan on printing your signs, we will need to know the material you wish to print to. Once the project is underway, we will ask for the placement of each sign, as well as the location of all safety equipment required on the maps (ie., fire extinguishers, alarm pulls, first aid kits, etc.)

We encourage new clients to submit a quote request, there is a file upload button at the end of the process. Sending floor plans will help expedite the quoting process. Otherwise, kindly email all floorplans to info@evacmap.com.

To create a building evacuation map, we require architectural floor plans. If architectural plans are missing, contacting the engineering department at your local city hall is a good start. Floor plans of most commercial buildings are kept on file and a digital copy can be released to authorized individuals. Another source would be to contact the architect. If you have large-format blueprints, take an overhead photo and email it to us. We can digitize blueprints as needed.

The number of signs required depends on local codes, building size, and the number of floors, staircases, and elevators. We often recommend placing a sign at each elevator bank, stairwell entrance, and common areas. However, it is always recommended to speak with your local fire marshal to confirm!

Both are available, and every client receives electronic copies of their signage at the end of the project. Our printing service is the turnkey option: your maps arrive finished, on the material you choose, ready to mount with tape or decorative hardware. Receiving artwork alone suits clients who already have frames or sign holders in place.

Acrylic signs (standard or premium) are our most durable and vandal resistant sign. Your artwork is reverse printed to the underside of the acrylic making the artwork scratch resistant.

We work from your building’s architectural floor plans and your safety information, such as where the fire extinguishers, alarm pulls and first aid equipment are. Our designers redraft the plans into a clear evacuation map for each individual sign location, rotating the plan so it matches the direction the viewer is facing at that spot, and applying whatever your local fire code requires on content, symbols and wording. You approve proofs before anything is finalised, and we can produce a proof for your inspector to review first.

The words are used loosely, and that causes real confusion. The sign on the wall goes by several names: evacuation map, evacuation plan, exit map, emergency map, egress map. They all mean the same object, a diagram showing where you are, the exit routes and the safety equipment. Separately, an evacuation plan can also mean a written document setting out procedures, staff duties and alarm response, which lives in a file rather than on a wall. Fire codes generally require both, and having one does not satisfy the other.

The confusion here comes from the word "plan". The emergency action plan OSHA refers to is generally understood to be a written document covering procedures, alarm systems and staff duties, rather than a diagram posted on a wall. The requirement to post maps typically comes from state and local fire code instead, which is why the answer depends more on where your building is than on OSHA. Most workplaces that need an emergency action plan are also in buildings a fire code covers, so in practice both are usually needed.

NFPA publishes model standards, not law. NFPA 101, the Life Safety Code, is the one most often cited for evacuation requirements, and it carries weight because states adopt it, insurers reference it, and accreditation bodies apply it to healthcare and other regulated facilities. What it requires of a specific building depends on which edition your jurisdiction has adopted and what amendments were made on the way. So being told your building must meet NFPA 101 is the start of the question rather than the answer to it, and your fire marshal is the one who can tell you which edition applies.

There is no single national answer, because posting requirements come from state and local fire code. The pattern is consistent though: maps generally go at stairwell entrances, at elevator landings, and inside main entrances, with hotels and similar occupancies adding one in each guest room. Beyond the required locations, buildings often add maps in high-traffic areas, where people gather, and along long stretches between the mandatory positions. Your local fire marshal has the final say on placement.

Usually, though what applies to you depends on your building rather than on any single national rule. Occupancy type is what decides it: a hotel, an office, a hospital and an apartment building in the same city can face different requirements, and a building’s height, floor count and number of occupants often change the answer again. Some occupancies must post maps with no alternative, while others are given a choice of methods. Your local fire marshal or fire prevention bureau can confirm which category your building falls into.

Evacuation maps ensure a safe and efficient evacuation during emergencies. They are crucial in identifying the location of safety equipment, and provide life-saving information on how to evacuate the premises quickly and efficiently. Evacuation maps are often mandatory in order to be compliant with local fire code, OSHA, ADA, and to meet insurance standards.

Once your quote has been approved, a project manager will be assigned to your project. They will work with you to collect all data needed to begin the design and drafting process. Our designers will re-draft your floor plans and include all safety equipment and design elements requested. Once all design proofs have been approved, the project will be finalized. You will receive high quality print-ready PDFs of your maps and/or have your signs shipped to your building.

It’s important to remember that there are many steps in creating custom evacuation maps. Lead time depends on the scope and scale of the project. Generally the graphic component of the project can take between 2-4 weeks, and shipping another week.

The price per project depends on a multitude of factors: the material on which the maps are printed to, the size of the sign, the size of the floor plan (larger facilities require more graphic work), and the quantity of signs required.

The information required on evacuation maps is locally regulated and can differ from county to county. We always urge clients to consult their local fire marshal to confirm accurate verbiage and the safety information needed on their evacuation maps. From experience, we often recommend including emergency/evacuation instructions, the location of safety equipment (fire extinguishers, alarm pulls, AED machines, etc.), and the post evacuation assembly area/muster point.

Safety equipment is often identified on evacuation maps. However, if your facility has an overabundance of equipment, we often recommend omitting it from the evacuation maps to keep the map clean and uncluttered. Safety Maps are a great alternative to display all safety equipment, and are often placed in areas where first responders have easy viewing access.

Evacuation maps are often mounted by stairwell entrances, elevator landings, and high traffic areas that have a high likelihood of being seen. Many regional fire codes require the bottom of the sign to be no higher than 48” from the floor. However, it’s important to consult your local fire code to determine accurate height and placement.

Every building should have designated emergency exits that are approved by a fire marshal. These exits should be free of obstructions and unlocked. There should be at least two exits for evacuation.

Pictographix offers several mounting solutions. For evacuation maps printed in-house, there’s the option to mount with screws, stand-off hardware, or high bond adhesive tape. Sign casements (frames) are also a great option if you’re looking to print your signs locally or expect to replace your evacuation maps shortly.

Yes, we always recommend that clients have their evacuation maps approved by their local fire department. Evacuation requirements differ from county to county, so it’s important to ensure design, wording and all sign elements are code compliant.

As a remote provider, we manage all projects virtually.

All projects are archived on our secure server, making revisions to past projects straightforward and cost effective. Whether the building floor plan has changed, or safety equipment has been moved, we can easily revise your evacuation maps to reflect the current layout and changes.