title: Dissuasive exit signage for building fire evacuation.
abstract: This work presents the result of a questionnaire study which investigates the design of dissuasive emergency signage, i.e. signage conveying a message of not utilizing a specific exit door. The work analyses and tests a set of key features of dissuasive emergency signage using the Theory of Affordances. The variables having the largest impact on observer preference, interpretation and noticeability of the signage have been identified. Results show that features which clearly negate the exit-message of the original positive exit signage are most effective, for instance a red X-marking placed across the entirety of the exit signage conveys a clear dissuasive message. Other features of note are red flashing lights and alternation of colour. The sense of urgency conveyed by the sign is largely affected by sensory inputs such as red flashing lights or other features which cause the signs to break the tendencies of normalcy.
authors.affiliation: Holmes Fire, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Joakim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olander
authors.affiliation: Department of Fire Safety Engineering, Lund University, Sweden. Electronic address: enricoronchi84@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ronchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Ruggiero
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lovreglio
authors.affiliation: Department of Fire Safety Engineering, Lund University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nilsson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D032882:Comprehension; D003463:Cues; D003657:Decision Making; D004630:Emergencies; D005390:Fires; D006801:Humans; D008123:Location Directories and Signs; D016015:Logistic Models; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dissuasive; Dynamic signage; Emergency signage; Evacuation; Exit sign; Paired comparison; Risk perception; Route choice; Urgency