What color must manual fire alarm boxes be painted?

Manual fire alarm boxes are required to be painted red to ensure they are highly visible in emergency situations. The color red is universally recognized as a signal for danger or an alert, making it an ideal choice for fire safety equipment. This visibility is crucial in emergencies, as it allows individuals to locate and activate the fire alarm system quickly.

In many jurisdictions, building codes and safety standards specifically mandate this color for fire alarms to maintain consistency and clarity across different locations. This standardization helps reduce confusion during a fire or emergency, as people are trained to look for red as a sign of fire alarm equipment.

The other colors mentioned do not convey the same urgent signal as red, making them less suitable for fire alarms. For example, white, yellow, and green are typically associated with other types of equipment or signage, which could lead to delays in response times during critical situations. Therefore, painting manual fire alarm boxes red is an essential practice to enhance safety and ensure prompt action in the event of a fire.