What color must manual fire alarm boxes be?

Manual fire alarm boxes are required to be red to ensure they are easily identifiable and recognizable in the event of an emergency. The use of red for these devices is a standard adopted widely across various codes and regulations, including the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. The bright red color stands out and captures attention, which is crucial when rapid action is needed to alert occupants of a building about a fire.

This color coding helps to create an immediate association in people's minds—when they see red, they know it pertains to fire safety. This consistency across communities and buildings makes it easier for occupants to locate manual fire alarm boxes quickly in a time of crisis, enhancing overall safety and response times in emergency situations. Other colors like blue, green, or yellow do not convey the same urgency or are not universally recognized for fire alarm purposes, making them unsuitable options for this critical safety equipment.