NABH Mandatory Signages:
Complete List for 2026

What Are NABH Mandatory Signages?

NABH accreditation standards require hospitals to display clear, standardized signages throughout the facility. These signages communicate critical information, guide patient and visitor behavior, prevent risks, and ensure safety. The purpose is simple: clear signages create a safe environment and demonstrate NABH compliance.

Signages must be in English, Hindi, and the local language. They must be clearly visible, legible, and maintained in good condition. NABH assessors verify signage compliance during on-site assessments — missing or non-compliant signages are a common finding.

11 Categories of NABH Mandatory Signages

1. Identification Signage

The hospital name must be displayed at the main entrance prominently. Each department and ward must have clear identification boards. This helps patients, visitors, and emergency responders locate the facility and navigate within it.

2. Directional Signage

Arrow-based directional signs must guide patients and visitors to key departments: OPD, IPD/Wards, ICU/CCU, Laboratory, Radiology, Pharmacy, and other major services. These signs reduce confusion, reduce staff burden, and improve patient experience.

3. Safety & Hazard Signage

Safety signages must be displayed at appropriate locations to warn and prevent accidents. Mandatory safety signs include: Electrical Hazard, Fire Hazard, Slippery Floor, and Biohazard. These must use universally recognized symbols.

4. Fire Safety Signage

Fire safety signages must display fire exits, equipment, and emergency facilities clearly and visibly. Required signages include: Fire Exit (with directional arrows), Fire Extinguisher location, Fire Hose Reel location, and Fire Alarm Call Point. These must be illuminated or luminescent for visibility during power failure.

5. Mandatory Compliance Signage

These promote safe behavior, hygiene, and discipline. Required: Wash Your Hands, Wear Mask (in clinical areas), Use Dustbin, and Silence Please (in patient care areas). These must be placed at appropriate locations throughout the hospital.

6. Parking Signage

Authorized parking areas must be clearly marked with parking signs, no-parking zones, and reserved spaces for emergency vehicles. This falls under facility management compliance.

7. Prohibitory Signage

No Smoking, No Spitting, No Photography, and No Mobile Phones signs must be displayed at all appropriate areas to ensure safety and compliance. These must be placed at main entrance, waiting areas, and clinical zones.

8. Emergency Signage

Emergency signs must be clearly visible and accessible: Emergency Exit, Assembly Point, and Emergency Contact Numbers. These ensure visibility and easy access during emergencies. Assembly Point signage is critical for fire drills and emergency preparedness.

9. Special / Restricted Area Signage

Areas with access restrictions must display: Restricted Area – Authorized Personnel Only, No Entry – Authorized Personnel Only, and Staff Only. These control access to sensitive, high-risk areas such as OT, ICU, sterile zones, and pharmacy stores.

10. Bio-Medical Waste Signage

As per BMW Rules 2016, bio-medical waste collection points must display color-coded signages: Yellow (Incinerable Waste), Red (Plastic Waste), Blue (Glassware Waste), and White (Sharps Waste). These must be displayed at all collection points with category and color codes clearly visible.

11. Patient Rights & Responsibilities Signage

Patient Rights must be displayed in English, Hindi, and local language. Required content includes: Right to Safe & Quality Care, Right to Information, Right to Choose, Right to Privacy & Dignity, Right to Voice Concerns, and Right to Seek a Second Opinion. These must be prominently displayed in waiting areas and patient wards.

Additional NABH Signages – Where Applicable

Beyond the 11 mandatory categories, NABH requires additional signages to be displayed wherever applicable:

• Waiting Area Signage
• Consultation Room Number Signage
• Ward / Room Number Signage
• Toilet Signage (with disability access indicators)
• Lift / Elevator Signage
• Staircase Signage
• Pharmacy Signage
• Laboratory Signage
• Radiology Signage
• ICU / CCU Signage
• Nursing Station Signage
• High Risk Cylinder Area Signage (Oxygen)
• Fire Assembly Point Signage
• No Parking Signage
• Clean Utility / Dirty Utility Area Signage
• Linen Room Signage
• CSSD / Sterile Room Signage
• Electrical Area Signage
• Disaster Exit Signage
• Oxygen Toxin Area Signage
• High Risk Area Signage

NABH Signage Color Codes

General Guidelines for NABH Compliant Signages

• Signages should be clearly visible, legible, and understandable
• Use universal symbols and simple language
• Use contrasting colors as per standard color codes
• Place at appropriate height and location
• Maintain clean, intact, and non-faded signages
• Ensure signages are in English, Hindi, and local language
• Review and update signages periodically
• Document signage audit findings and corrective actions

Benefits of Compliant Signages

• Improves patient and visitor experience and navigation
• Enhances safety and risk reduction
• Ensures effective communication across language barriers
• Supports NABH compliance and assessment readiness
• Builds a culture of safety and quality

Common NABH Signage Findings During Assessment

During NABH assessments, the following signage-related findings are commonly cited:

• Missing or faded fire exit signs
• Bio-medical waste bins without proper color-coded labels
• Patient rights not displayed in local language
• No assembly point signage
• ICU/restricted areas without access control signages
• Directional signs missing for key departments
• Hazard signages absent in high-risk areas

Frequently Asked Questions

Are NABH signages mandatory for Entry Level Certification?

Yes. Signage requirements apply to both NABH Full Accreditation and Entry Level Certification. The extent and number of required signages may vary slightly, but core safety and directional signages are mandatory for all programmes.

In how many languages must NABH signages be displayed?

NABH standards require signages in English, Hindi, and the local language of the state where the hospital is located. For Gujarat, signages must be in English, Hindi, and Gujarati.

Who is responsible for signage compliance in a hospital?

Signage compliance is typically the responsibility of the Facility Management team, overseen by the Quality Manager. During NABH preparation, a signage audit should be conducted by the quality team with findings documented and corrected before assessment.

How often should signages be audited?

NABH recommends periodic review of signages. Best practice is a quarterly signage audit with documented findings and corrective actions. Pre-assessment, a complete signage walk-through is essential.