Knowing the exit signs, where the emergency exits are in buildings we frequent can save our life. Some buildings, such as schools, have fire drills to practice using emergency exits. Many disasters could have been prevented if people had known where fire escapes were, and if emergency exits had not been blocked. For example, in the 11-9-2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, some of the emergency exits inside the building were inaccessible, while others were locked. In the Stardust Disaster and the 2006 Moscow hospital fire the emergency exits were locked and most windows barred shut. In the case of the Station Nightclub, the premises was over capacity the night fire broke out, the front exit was not designed well (right outside the door, the concrete approach split 90 degrees and a railing ran along the edge, and an emergency exit swung inward, not outward as code requires).

In many places, it is needed that all new commercial buildings include well-marked emergency exits. Older buildings must be retrofitted with fire escapes. In countries where emergency exits are not standard, fires will often result in a much greater loss of life.

Well-designed emergency exit signs are necessary for emergency exits to be effective. In the United States fire escape signs usually display the word “EXIT” in large, well-lit, green or red letters. Exit signs can cost $15 to $1500 dollars depending on specs. Sometimes an arrow is displayed as well. In the European Union, emergency exit signs use pictorial symbols to convey their meaning. Some signs are self-illuminated, using tritium powered traser light sources. EXIT SIGNS USUALLY WRITTEN IN CAPITAL LETTERS.