Escape Route Signing - The Independent Fire Safety Advice Centre - Free advice,on fire safety and prevention.

Note for Guidance

The Fire Safety Advice Centre

BS 5499 Safety signs, including fire safety signs

Introduction

BS 5499 covers all safety warning sign, including fire safety signs and is compatable with the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. It is also compatable with the ISO standards relevant to fire signs but in regards to EC Safety Signs Directive 92/58/EEC - fire exit signs there is some confusion. Some manufacturers interpretation of the directive and the Safety Signs and Signal regulations and produced an exit sign (Euro sign) which is in conflict with BS 5499. This is very likely to be rectified shortly and Europe will fall in line with BS 5499 and the ISO. There are many warning signs but I will concentrate on the fire warning signs.

A sample of BS 5499 fire warning signs

		Prohibition signs These signs prohibit actions detrimental to safety	Black graphical symbol on a white circle within a circular red band and behind a red crossbar.
		Mandatory sign Signs that require actions or activities that will contribute towards safety	White graphical symbol on a blue circle. Because the "Fire Door keep shut" sign doesn’t have a pictogram it is not in accordance with EC directive
		Warning signs These signs give warning of potential risks	Black graphical symbol on a yellow triangle that has a strong black border.
		Safe Condition Signs These signs indicate exit routes in the event of a fire or emergency	These signs indicate exit routes in the event of a fire or emergency
		Fire Equipment Signs These signs are used to indicate the location of fire equipment	White graphical symbol on a red square.
		Supplementary Information Signs	Determined by the appropriate sign.

BS 5499 Part 4

BS 5499 part 4 is devoted to escape route signing and while good sign design practice is important, the correct application and positioning of those signs is of equal significance in ensuring an effective signing system is in place. The size and positioning of signs within a building should form a major part of the package. It clearly and concisely deals with all aspects of the design of an effective escape route signing system.

Points to consider are

Sign type, sign size and viewing distance
Construction durability and suitability
Servicing and maintenance
Illustrations (use of safety signs)
Use of arrows to indicate direction of travel

It also deals with the issues associated with designing a coordinated system of signing throughout any given building. The code outlines items that need to be addressed in considering the overall design, including,

Results of any risk assessment
Requirements (if any) of enforcing authorities
Operational needs of the building’s managers
Convenience of the users of the building, both workers and Public

The code stresses that it is only through the consideration of these factors that an effective design system for escape route signing can be achieved. It provides clear guidance on how to do this.

Examples of BS 5499 Escape route signing


Supplementary directional arrow.	The internationally recognised graphical symbol for emergency exits	Supplementary text

Consideration

Exhaustive testing both comprehension and judgment testing of graphical symbols conforming to BS5499 and ISO 7010, ISO16069 achieved the highest comprehension credentials. However as it only achieved some 80%, the British Standard requires supplementary text to aid comprehension. This too was tested and achieved 100% comprehension under ISO 9186. (Comprehension Testing Standard) Both International and British Standard Technical committee agreed that Escape Route Location and directional identification should not be left to graphic symbols alone. Consequently escape route signs should normally consist of three elements, the internationally-recognised graphical symbol for emergency exits, supplementary text (Exit or Fire exit) and a directional arrow.

Further Information

The British Standard should be available from your local reference library.

Below is the list of all the BS Standards relevant to fire warning signs.

BS 5499-1:2002 Graphical symbols and signs. Safety signs, including fire safety signs. Specification for geometric shapes, colour's and layout.
BS 5499-2:1986 Fire safety signs, notices and graphic symbols. Specification for self-luminous fire safety signs
BS 5499-4:2000 Safety signs, including fire safety signs. Code of practice for escape route signing
BS 5499-5:2002 Graphical symbols and signs. Safety signs, including fire safety signs. Signs with specific safety meanings and
BS 5499-6:2002 - Graphical symbols and signs. Safety signs, including fire safety signs. Creation and design of graphical symbols for use in safety signs. Requirements
BS 5499-10:2006 Safety signs, including fire safety signs. Code of practice for the use of safety signs, including fire safety signs
BS 5378:Part 2:1980 Safety signs and colour's. Specification for colorimetric and photometric properties of materials
BS EN 60598-2-22:1998+A2:2008 BS EN 60598-2-22:1999 Luminaire's. Particular requirements. Luminaire's for emergency lighting

This page contains notes on good practice which may not compulsory but which you may find helpful in considering what you need to do. For more information go to my page Fire Safety Signs and Fire Exit Signs.

This handout provides a general overview and basic information on this topic. It may not apply to everyone, consequently to find out if this guide applies to you and to get more information on this subject, study all the relevant legislation, guides and British/European Standards. Also you should seek advice from an expert on the subject or your local Fire Safety Officer or Fire Safety Professional.

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This page was last checked and modified on Monday, 8 February, 2010 22:56