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Prohibition Signs, Made Simple
A red ring with a slash through it signals “not allowed”. These signs help prevent risky actions before they start.
Understanding prohibition signs
A white disc with a red edge and a red slash across a black pictogram tells people the action is forbidden. South African catalogues often list them under SANS 1186 with PV codes.
No smoking
Offices, shops, fuel and gas zones.
No entry
Limited-access rooms, plant areas and high-risk zones.
No cell phones
Fuel forecourts, labs and sensitive equipment rooms.
Common prohibition signs
| Sign | Typical places |
|---|
| No smoking | Buildings and warehouses, close to fuel, gas and flammable materials |
| No naked flames | Fuel stores, paint stores, gas cylinder enclosures |
| No entry or authorised persons only | Plant rooms, substations, server rooms, storerooms |
| No pedestrians | Forklift lanes, loading docks, vehicle routes |
| No cell phones | Fuel forecourts, explosives and sensitive zones |
| Not for drinking (non-potable water) | Taps supplying process or recycled water |
| No food or drink | Laboratories, chemical stores, clean rooms |
| Do not use the lift in a fire | Beside every lift door |
Tips for using prohibition signs
- Mount them at eye level where people enter the area
- Team up a “No smoking” sign with a designated smoking area sign so people know where to go
- Use text panels for rules that have no standard symbol
- Choose aluminium or Chromadek for outdoor use, and ABS or vinyl indoors
Common questions
What does a red circle with a line across it stand for?
It shows that the action pictured is forbidden, for example smoking, entering or using cell phones.
Do I legally need a no smoking sign?
South African tobacco control legislation limits smoking in enclosed public spaces and workplaces, and no smoking signs are the common way to indicate this. Close to flammable materials, a no smoking or no naked flames sign is also a basic fire safety step.
How do “No entry” and “Authorised persons only” differ?
“No entry” means nobody is allowed inside. “Authorised persons only” means just people with permission may enter, such as electricians at a substation.
Do you make custom prohibition signs?
Yes. If no standard symbol fits what you need, we can design a sign with the red circle and slash, plus clear text.
Explore more safety sign guides
Place Your Sign Order Today
Xpress Print produces SABS-style safety signs in ABS, aluminium, Chromadek, Correx and photoluminescent vinyl, based in Rivonia, Johannesburg. Send us the sign codes and sizes and we’ll give you a quote.
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