Fire Panels

Printed fire panels—also known as mimic panels or fire index panels—are visual display boards that show the layout of a building’s fire safety zones and equipment.

These panels are used to help emergency responders, building managers, and maintenance teams quickly understand where fire alarms are coming from and what areas may be affected.

Unlike engraved panels, printed fire panels use full-colour digital printing to display detailed diagrams, zone names, and other important information. They’re laminated for durability and mounted near fire alarm systems or control rooms.

Why Are Printed Fire Panels Useful?

In an emergency, clear information saves time—and potentially lives. Printed fire panels give a quick visual overview of the building’s fire zones, detectors, and alarm points. For example, if a smoke detector in Zone 4 triggers an alarm, the panel shows exactly where Zone 4 is located—whether it’s a storeroom, office, or hallway.

These panels are also helpful for:

Routine safety checks
Training staff
Maintenance and system testing
Meeting compliance requirements

They’re especially useful in larger buildings or facilities with complex layouts, where knowing the exact location of a fire or fault is critical.

How Are Printed Fire Panels Made?

Printed fire panels are custom-made to suit each building’s fire system and layout. Here’s how the process usually works:

Design Creation: The panel starts with a design (like a floor plan or CAD file). This includes the building layout, fire zones, detector locations, and any other relevant details.
Digital Printing: The design is printed using high-resolution digital printers onto durable vinyl. This allows for full-colour graphics, logos, and even photos if needed.
Lamination: A clear protective layer is added to the surface to protect against fading, moisture, and wear. This ensures the panel stays readable and professional-looking over time.
Mounting Options: Panels can be supplied as adhesive prints for direct application to walls or equipment, or mounted onto substrates like aluminium, acrylic, or PVC boards for easy installation.
Installation: Once complete, the panel is installed in a visible and accessible location—usually near the fire alarm control panel or in the fire control centre (FCC).

Where Are Printed Fire Panels Used in NZ?

Printed fire panels are used in a wide range of New Zealand settings, including:

Commercial buildings – offices, retail stores, and shopping centres
Industrial sites – factories, warehouses, and processing plants
Hospitals and aged care – where quick response is critical
Schools and universities – for safety and compliance
Marine and transport hubs – including ports and rail stations

They’re also common in multi-storey buildings, where knowing which floor or zone is affected can make a big difference during an evacuation.

Benefits of Printed Fire Panels

Highly Detailed: Full-colour printing allows for complex layouts, zone maps, and clear labels.
Customisable: Panels can be tailored to your building’s exact layout and fire system. You can include logos, colour coding, bilingual text, and more.
Durable: Laminated vinyl protects against fading, scratches, and moisture—ideal for New Zealand’s varied climate and building conditions
Professional Appearance: Printed panels look clean and modern, helping meet health & safety standards and building compliance.
Fast Turnaround: Quick production times and no minimum order quantities, making them accessible for businesses of all sizes.

Printed vs Engraved Panels

While both types serve the same purpose, printed panels offer more flexibility in design and colour. Engraved panels are etched into the surface and often colour-filled, making them extremely durable. Printed panels, on the other hand, allow for more detailed graphics and are often quicker to produce.

Some buildings use a combination of both—engraved panels for long-term durability and printed panels for detailed layouts or temporary setups.

Looking for Engraved Fire Panels?

Information like zone names, equipment locations, and building layouts—is permanently etched and paint filled into the surface of the panel. This makes the details easy to read and long-lasting, even in tough environments.

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Printed fire panels are a smart, flexible solution for improving fire safety and emergency response.

Whether you manage a large facility or a small office, having a clear, durable panel that shows your fire system layout can make a real difference in an emergency. They’re built to last, easy to read, and tailored to your building—making them a trusted tool for fire safety across Aotearoa.