You bought/rented your building a few years ago. You had the Fire Marshal check all your signage to be sure you were in compliance with all of the local fire and health codes. No longer worried about being fined for noncompliance, you do not give fire exit and health warning signs another thought.
Maybe you should. Interpretation of code can be subject to who is doing the interpretation. Compliance can be a tricky and subjective business due to different agencies interpreting the code according to their specifications and not necessarily the intended wording. The Fire Marshal, when inspecting your building, may still call for more exit signs, particularly if you have made any additions or modifications.
The best solution is to consult with the local Fire Department just before getting your Certificate of Occupancy to get a feedback as to where you should place the exit signs and follow all the codes for safety and health regulations. Also remember to have accurate exit maps which clearly delineate exit routes. But do not overlook the importance of an annual check to make sure you stay in compliance.
Lastly, it never hurts to remind your local fire station where your business is, just in case…
