What Are Evacuation Maps?
The Basics
-
Purpose: Evacuation maps are essential tools that show people the safest and quickest way to exit a building in case of an emergency. - Why They Matter: In an emergency like a fire or earthquake, knowing where to go can save lives. Evacuation maps guide people to safety by clearly showing escape routes.
SignWorks: Experts in Layout and Fabrication
Over 16 Years of Experience
- Trusted Partner: For more than 16 years, SignWorks has been the go-to company in the San Francisco Bay Area for creating clear and effective evacuation maps.
- Quality Craftsmanship: SignWorks prides itself on the quality of its work, ensuring that every map is accurate, easy to read, and durable.
Industries We Serve
Schools and Universities
- Keeping Students Safe: Schools and universities need clear evacuation maps to protect students and staff during emergencies.
- Example Project: SignWorks worked with the Oakland Unified School District to design and install evacuation maps in multiple schools. These maps were customized to fit the unique layout of each building, ensuring everyone knows the safest way out.
Healthcare Facilities
- Guiding Patients and Staff: Hospitals and clinics require evacuation maps that are easy to understand, even in stressful situations.
- Example Project: SignWorks partnered with various healthcare facilities across the Bay Area, including large hospitals and small clinics, to produce evacuation maps that meet strict safety standards. These maps are strategically placed throughout the buildings to help patients and staff find their way to safety quickly.
Corporate Offices
- Protecting Employees: Businesses need to ensure the safety of their employees by having well-designed evacuation maps in place.
- Example Project: SignWorks has created evacuation maps for numerous corporate offices in San Francisco and the surrounding areas. Whether it’s a small startup or a large corporation, each map is tailored to the specific layout of the building, providing clear directions for safe evacuation.
Residential Complexes
- Ensuring Resident Safety: Apartment buildings and residential complexes rely on evacuation maps to guide residents to safety during emergencies.
- Example Project: SignWorks worked with several residential complexes in the Bay Area, including high-rise apartments and gated communities, to create evacuation maps that are easy to follow. These maps are placed in common areas like lobbies and hallways to ensure residents know the quickest way out.
The SignWorks Process
Consultation and Design
- Understanding Your Needs: SignWorks starts by working closely with clients to understand the specific needs of their building or facility.
- Custom Layouts: The design team at SignWorks creates custom layouts for each evacuation map, taking into account the unique features of the building. This ensures that the maps are not only accurate but also easy to read.
Fabrication
- High-Quality Materials: SignWorks uses durable materials that can withstand wear and tear, ensuring that the evacuation maps remain legible over time.
- Attention to Detail: Each map is carefully crafted to meet all safety regulations and guidelines. SignWorks pays close attention to details like color-coding and symbols to make sure the maps are user-friendly.
Installation
- Proper Placement: The SignWorks team ensures that the evacuation maps are installed in the most effective locations, such as near exits, stairwells, and elevators.
- Final Check: Before finishing the job, SignWorks double-checks everything to make sure the maps are securely mounted and easy to see.
Success Stories from the Past 16 Years
Retail/Transportation Centers
- Helping Shoppers/Travelers Stay Safe: SignWorks has created evacuation maps for several retail centers across the Bay Area, including a name brand retailer and some small boutiques, as well as a travel hub within the San Francisco BART system.
- Example Project: One notable project was designing evacuation maps for the San Francisco Bay Area Bart – Oakland Connector project. These maps were placed throughout the station platforms, guiding travelers and staff to safety in case of an emergency.
Manufacturing Facilities
- Guiding Workers: Factories and manufacturing facilities need evacuation maps that account for the specific hazards present in these environments.
- Example Project: SignWorks worked with a major manufacturing plant in Oakland to design and install evacuation maps that clearly marked all exits and safety zones. The maps were designed to be easily visible, even in the noisy and busy environment of the plant.
Why Choose SignWorks?
Proven Expertise
- Years of Experience: With over 16 years of experience in the industry, SignWorks has a deep understanding of what makes an effective evacuation map.
- Diverse Portfolio: SignWorks has worked with a wide range of industries, from schools to hospitals to corporate offices, providing custom solutions that meet the unique needs of each client.
Commitment to Safety
- Attention to Detail: SignWorks is committed to creating evacuation maps that are not only compliant with safety regulations but also truly useful in an emergency.
- Reliable Partner: Clients trust SignWorks because they know the team is dedicated to delivering high-quality, dependable maps that can help save lives.
Conclusion
For more than 16 years, SignWorks has been a trusted provider of evacuation maps in the San Francisco Bay Area. With experience across various industries, including education, healthcare, corporate offices, residential complexes, retail centers, transportation and manufacturing facilities, SignWorks has the expertise needed to create clear, accurate, and durable evacuation maps. Whether you need a simple map for a small office or a complex system for a large facility, SignWorks is your go-to partner for all your evacuation map needs.