Missing, incorrectly positioned or unsuitable signage can contribute to delays during the Occupation Certificate process in NSW. Before inspection, it is important to review the fire, accessibility, electrical, evacuation and statutory signage required for the completed building.
This practical checklist covers common signage items that builders, project managers, facility managers and contractors may need to review before an Occupation Certificate inspection.
Important: Signage requirements vary according to the building classification, approved plans, development consent, Construction Certificate, fire safety schedule and project-specific conditions. Confirm final requirements with your principal certifier, access consultant, fire safety practitioner or other relevant project consultant.
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Quick Occupation Certificate Signage Checklist
| Area | Common items to check |
|---|---|
| Fire and egress | Fire-door signs, exit signs and fire-service identification |
| Accessibility | Braille exit, toilet, accessible, ambulant, lift and directional signs |
| Electrical and plant | Switchboard, isolation, electrical hazard and restricted-access labels |
| Block plans | Hydrant, sprinkler and fire-zone block plans |
| Evacuation | Evacuation diagrams and emergency information |
| Glazing | Visual indicators on applicable glazed doors, panels and accessways |
| General safety | Roof access, plant-room, PPE, hazard and restricted-area signage |
Fire Safety and Egress Signage
Braille and Tactile Exit Signs
Confirm that required Braille and tactile exit signs are installed in the correct location and are not fixed directly to a moving door leaf where an adjacent wall location is required.
- Check the applicable requirements under NCC 2022 D4D7 and Specification 15.
- Confirm the sign has appropriate tactile characters, Braille, pictograms and luminance contrast.
- Check installation height and location against the approved accessibility documentation.
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Fire-Door Signs
Confirm that the wording on each fire-door sign matches the door arrangement. Do not assume that every fire door requires the same message or that every sign is installed on the same side of the door.
- Review the requirements for signs on doors under NCC 2022 D3D28.
- Confirm whether signage is required on one side or both sides.
- Check whether the door requires “DO NOT OBSTRUCT”, “DO NOT KEEP OPEN” or another approved message.
- Ensure signs are permanent, clearly visible and not covered by hardware or other objects.
Read our Fire Exit Door Signage and Installation Guide
Fire Hydrant, Hose Reel and Booster Identification
Fire-service equipment should be clearly identified and easy to locate. Confirm the required wording, size, position and visibility with the approved fire-services documentation.
- Review relevant fire hydrant system requirements, including AS 2419.1 where applicable.
- Ensure hydrant, hose reel and booster signs are not obscured.
- Confirm engraved plates and equipment labels match the installed services.
View Fire Hydrant Booster Signs | View Fire Hose Reel Signs
Electrical and Mechanical Signage
Main Switchboard Signs
Main switchboards, electrical rooms and related equipment may require clear identification, warning and access-control signage.
- Review the approved electrical documentation and applicable AS/NZS 3000 requirements.
- Confirm that the main switchboard is clearly identified.
- Ensure authorised-persons-only and electrical hazard signs are visible.
- Check that labels are permanent, legible and suitable for the environment.
Distribution, Isolation and Equipment Labels
Distribution boards, isolation points, valves, plant and mechanical equipment may require project-specific labels to assist with operation, servicing and emergency isolation.
- Confirm label wording against electrical and mechanical schedules.
- Check that isolation labels identify the correct equipment.
- Use durable engraved or printed materials suitable for the installation environment.
Request Custom Electrical and Equipment Labels
High Voltage and Electrical Hazard Signs
Confirm that electrical rooms, substations, plant areas and restricted zones have the required danger, warning or access-control signage.
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Accessibility and Amenities Signage
Braille Toilet and Amenity Signs
Review all sanitary facilities and accessible amenities to ensure the correct tactile and Braille identification signs have been installed.
- Male, female and unisex sanitary facilities
- Accessible sanitary facilities
- Ambulant sanitary facilities
- Accessible showers and change facilities
- Required directional signage
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Braille Exit, Stairwell and Level Signs
Check that required exits, stairways, levels and accessible paths are identified consistently with the approved access documentation.
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Lift, Shower and General Tactile Signs
Review lifts, accessible showers, change rooms and other amenities for required tactile identification and directional signage.
Shop General Braille and Tactile Signs
Block Plans and Evacuation Information
Fire Block Plans
Block plans should accurately represent the final installed fire services and site layout. Plans prepared before construction is complete may need to be updated before inspection.
- Confirm the plan matches the final building and site layout.
- Verify hydrants, boosters, pumps, tanks and other relevant services.
- Check orientation, legends and identification details.
- Confirm the required mounting location and finished size.
Evacuation Diagrams
Evacuation diagrams should reflect the final layout, exits, fire equipment, assembly areas and emergency information for the relevant location.
- Check each diagram against the completed floor layout.
- Confirm “You Are Here” positions are correct.
- Ensure exit paths and emergency equipment are accurate.
- Review the applicable emergency-planning requirements, including AS 3745 where relevant.
Need block plans or evacuation diagrams prepared?
Upload your drawings, marked-up plans or existing diagrams and tell us what your project requires.
Glazing, Safety and Hazard Signage
Glass Safety Markings
Applicable glazed doors, panels and accessways may require visual indicators to make the glazing clearly visible. The correct design and placement depend on the glazing arrangement, accessway and applicable project requirements.
- Review NCC 2022 D4D13 and the applicable provisions of AS 1428.1 and AS 1288.
- Confirm required height, width, continuity and luminance contrast.
- Ensure the marking extends across the required glazed area.
- Check that the selected colour remains visible against the background on both sides.
Shop Glass Safety Marking Strips
Read our Glass Safety Marking Requirements Guide
Roof Access and Restricted-Area Signs
Check roof access points, plant rooms, service areas and restricted zones for required warning and access-control signage.
- Authorised personnel only
- Roof access warnings
- Fall-risk or fragile-roof warnings
- Plant-room and service-area identification
PPE and Hazard Signs
Review construction, loading, plant and service areas for any mandatory PPE, danger, warning, prohibition or emergency signage required by the project.
Shop Construction, PPE and Hazard Signs
Custom Labels and Engraving
Custom engraved tags and labels may be required for switchboards, valves, pipes, pumps, plant equipment, isolation points, doors and building services.
- Confirm wording against the approved equipment schedules.
- Check abbreviations, asset numbers and equipment references.
- Select a material suitable for indoor or outdoor use.
- Confirm whether adhesive, holes or another fixing method is required.
Request Custom Engraved Labels
Common Signage Issues to Check Before Inspection
- Required signs have not been installed.
- The sign wording does not match the approved door arrangement.
- Fire-door signs are installed on the wrong side of the door.
- Braille and tactile signs are placed in an unsuitable location.
- Signs have inadequate contrast, letter size or visibility.
- Glazing indicators are incomplete or positioned incorrectly.
- Block plans do not match the final installed fire services.
- Evacuation diagrams show an outdated floor layout.
- Temporary paper signs remain instead of permanent signage.
- Switchboard, isolation or equipment labels are missing.
- Signs are obstructed by door hardware, furniture or equipment.
- Custom labels contain incorrect equipment names or asset numbers.
Signage Supply and Installation
Standard signs may be straightforward to install, but larger projects often benefit from coordinated supply, scheduling and installation. A site review can also help identify missing signs, unsuitable locations and project-specific requirements before the final inspection.
View Our Signage Installation Service
Get Your Project Signage Ready
At Statutory Signs, we supply fire-door signs, fire-service identification, Braille and tactile signs, amenity signs, switchboard labels, glass safety markings, block plans, evacuation diagrams and custom project signage.
Standard signs are available for fast dispatch, while custom labels, block plans, evacuation diagrams and project signage are produced to suit your requirements.
Need help completing your OC signage?
Send us your plans, sign schedule, quantities, site photographs or inspection defect list. Our team can prepare a quotation for standard signs, custom products, block plans and installation.
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Call 1300 744 670 or email print@digicraft.net.au
