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Graphical Symbols and Abbreviations for Fire Protection Drawings


Introduction

The current standard is BS 1635 : 1990 has been produced with the agreement of the Fire Standards Policy Committee and replaces BS 1635: 1970. During preparation the international standard ISO 6790 "Graphical symbols for fire protection plans", was considered and those symbols have been used wherever possible, with consideration of the content of BS 1635 : 1970. The format uses the style as recommended in BS 1192 Part 3: 1987 and ISO 6790, and incorporates precedents that exist in best British drawing practice. The names given to symbols have wherever possible been derived from BS 4422 and the wording used in group 9, Fire safety signs, complies with BS 5499: Part 1. BS 1635:1990

The rationale they have used, is to produce simple icons that representing one piece of fire engineering and are called element. You then combine a number of these elements into a symbol, for example the element for any type of extinguisher is a triangle, insert into the triangle the element for water, a circle with a vertical line and you have a Water Extinguisher. You can make them more complex and they are then called applications. The symbol for a hose reel is a semicircle, with the water element inserted, add an outlet which is an arrow, and the element for length of hose in meters and you have an application.

The application for a hose reel shows the length of the hose in metres in the upper right hand corner and although contrary to the standard I believe it should be also apply to portable extinguishers.

The above is only a very brief introduction and the symbols are simple sketches produced by me consequently you need to research the British Standard by purchasing a copy or use the local reference library who may have copies.

Group Table
Information Devices 1.1 - Convention for indicating zones
Fire Extinguishers 2.1 - Portable and transportable equipment
  2.2 - Fixed Systems
Fire Fighting Equipment 3.1 - Fire Fighting Equipment
Fire Alarm 4.1 - Control and Indicating Equipment
  4.2 - Initiating Equipment
  4.3 - Warning Equipment
Means of Escape 5.1 - Routes
Risk Areas 6.1 - Fire and Explosion
Fire Precautions 7.1 - Building Elements
Emergency Lighting 8.1 - Lighting
Fire Safety Signs 9.1 - Descriptions
Smoke Control 10.1 - Venting and Pressurization


Note. The symbols taken from ISO 6790 without modification are noted with an asterisk.


Group 1 - Information

Table 1.1 - Convention for indicating zones

Conventions

1.101

Behind cutting plane - Hidden

1.102

Behind cutting plane - Visible

1.103

Beyond cutting plane - Visible

1.104

Beyond cutting plane - Hidden

Return


Group 2 - Fire Extinguishers

Table 2.1 - Portable and transportable

Elements

Water

2.1E1

*

Halon Gas

2.1E7

*

Foam

2.1E2

*

Carbon Dioxide Gas

2.1E8

*

Powder Any Type

2.1E3

Wall Mounted

2.1E9

BC Powder

2.1E4

Transportable,Wheel or Skid Mounted

2.1E10

*

ABC Powder

2.1E5

Fire Blanket

2.1E11

*

Gas Any Type

2.1E6

   

Symbols

*

 

Any Type

2.101

*

 

Any type Gas Extinguisher

2.101 + 2.1E6

 

Portable Free standing Water Extinguisher

2.101 + 2.1E1

*

Halon Gas Extinguisher

2.101 + 2.1E7

 

*

 

Portable Free standing Foam Extinguisher

2.101 + 2.1E2

*

 

Carbon DiOxide Extinguisher

2.101 + 2.1E8

*

Dry Powder Extinguisher

2.101 + 2.1E3

*

Water Bucket

2.110

BC Dry Powder Extinguisher

2.101 + 2.1E4

*

Sand Bucket

2.111

*

ABC Dry Powder Extinguisher

2.101 + 2.1E5

Fire Blanket

2.101 + 2.1E11

Applications

Portable free standing Water Extinguisher

2.101 + 2.1E1 + 3.1E6

 

Transportable Halon Gas Extinguisher

2.101 + 2.1E7 + 2.1E10 + 3.1E6

Portable wall mounted BC Powder Extinguisher

2.101 + 2.1E4 + 2.1E9 + 3.1E6

   

Return


Group 2 - Fire Extinguishers

Table 2.2 - Fixed Installations

Elements

*

Outlet

2.2E1

Hydraulic Operation

2.2E6

*

Inlet

2.2E2

Manual Operation

2.2E7

*

Total Application

2.2E3

Mechanical Operation

2.2E8

Actuator Any Type

2.2E4

Pneumatic Operation

2.2E9

Electrical Operation

2.2E5

Thermal Operation

2.2E10

Symbols

*

Fixed System Any Type

2.201

Hydraulic Actuator

2.2E4 + 2.2E6

Fixed System Water

2.2E3 + 2.1E1

Manual Actuator

2.2E4 + 2.2E7

*

Fixed System Foam

2.2E3 + 2.1E2

Mechanical Actuator

2.2E4 + 2.2E8

*

Fixed System Powder

2.2E3 + 2.1E3

Pneumatic Actuator

2.2E4 + 2.2E9

*

Fixed System Gas

2.2E3 + 2.1E6

Thermal Actuator

2.2E4 + 2.2E10

Electrical Actuator

2.2E4 + 2.2E5

   

Applications

*

Fixed System any Type Local Application

2.201 + 2.2E1

Fixed System Manually Actuated

2.201 + 2.2E7

Drencher System Any Type

2.201 + 2.2E1

   

Return


Group 3 - Fire Fighting

Table 3.1 - Fire Fighting Equipment

Elements

Pipe Below Ground

3.1E1 (See 1.104)

Indicator or Meter

3.1E5

Pipe Above Ground

3.1E2

Length of hose in metres

3.1E6

Chamber in Ground

3.1E3

Non Return Check Valve

3.1E7

*

Valve

3.1E4

Symbols

*

Fire Main or Riser Any Type

3.101

Ground Hydrant in Chamber Double

3.1E3 + 3.1E1 + 3.1E4 + 2.2E1

*

Fire Main Dry

3.102

Pillar Hydrant Single

3.1E1 + 3.12 + 3.1E4 + 2.2E

Fire Main Wet

3.101 + 2.1E1

Pillar Hydrant Double

3.1E1 + 3.12 + 3.1E4 + 2.2E

*

Fire Main Foam

3.101 + 2.1W2

*

Fire Point

3.109

Ground Hydrant in Chamber Single

3.1E3 + 3.1E1 + 3.1E4 + 2.2E1

Hosereel

3.110

Applications

Dry Fire Main Landing Valve

3.101 + 3.1E4 + 2.2E1

Underground Fire Main

3.1E12.1E2

Foam Inlet

3.102 + 2.2E2

Hosereel 45m long

3.110 + 3.1E6 + 2.1E1 + 2.2E1

Underground Fire Main

3.1E1 + 2.1E1

Under ground Fire Main with Metered by Pass

3.1E1 + 3.1E3 + 3.1E4 + 3.1E5

Return


Group 4 - Fire Alarm

Table 4.1 - Control and Indicating Equipment

Elements

*

Sounder

4.1E1

*

Illuminated Signal

4.1E2

Symbols

*

Control Panel Any Type

4.101

*

Control Panel Illuminated Signals

4.101 + 4.1E2

*

Control Panel Sounders

4.101 + 4.1E1

*

Control Panel Sounders and Illuminated Signals

4.101 + 4.1E1 + 4.1E2

       

Return


Group 4 - Fire Alarm

Table 4.2 - Initiating Equipment

Elements

*

Smoke

4.2E1

Beam

4.2E3

Flame

4.2E2

   

Symbols

*

Detector Any Type

4.201

*

Gas Detector

4.201 + 2.1E6

Heat Detector

4.201 + 2.2E10

Fire Alarm Manual Call Point

4.201 + 2.2E7

*

Smoke Detector

4.201 + 4.2E1

Beam Detector

4.201 + 4.2E3

Flame Detector

4.201 + 4.2E2

   

Return


Group 4 - Fire Alarm

Table 4.3 - Warning Equipment

Elements

Manual Sounder

4.3E1

*

LoudSpeaker

4.3E3

*

Electric Bell

4.3E2

*

Telephone

4.3E4

Symbols

Warning Device Any Type

4.301

*

Warning Device Loudspeaker

4.301 + 4.3E3

Warning Device Manual Sounder

4.301 + 4.3E1

*

Warning Device Telephone

4.301 + 4.3E4

*

Warning Device Sounder

4.301 + 4.1E1

*

Warning Device Visual

4.301 + 4.1E2

*

Warning Device Bell

4.301 + 4.3E2

   

Applications

Telephone with Flashing Light

4.301 + 4.3E4 + 4.1E2

 

Return


Group 5 - Means of Escape

Table 5.1 - Routes

Elements

Directional Arrow

5.1E1

   

Symbols

*

Escape Route

5.101

*

Escape Route, Final Exit

5.103

*

Escape Route, Direction to Follow

5.102

   

Return


Group 6 - Risk Areas

Table 6.1 - Fire and Explosion

Elements

Flammable Materials

6.1E1

Explosive Materials

6.1E3

Oxidizing Materials

6.1E2

   

Symbols

General Hazard Warning

6.101

Oxidizing Materials Risk Area

6.103

Flammable Materials Risk Area

6.102

Explosive Materials Risk Area

6.104

Return


Group 7 - Fire Precautions

Table 7.1 - Building Elements

Elements

Ramp Gradient

7.1E1

Self Closing Automatic Release

7.1E8

Fire Resistance in Minutes

7.1E2

Vision Panel

7.1E9

Fire Resisting Glazed Element

7.1E3

Guarding Handrail

7.1E10

Security Lock

7.1E4

Push Bar Door Ironmongery

7.1E11

Key in Box

7.1E5

Fusible Link

7.1E12

Free From Fastenings

7.1E6

Fire Resisting

7.1E13

Self Closing

7.1E7

Smoke Resisting

7.1E14

Symbols

Wall Opening with Window

7.101

Door set, Sliding Leaf

7.111

Wall Opening with Roller Shutter

7.102

Door set, Revolving Leaves

7.112

Wall Opening with Up and Over Door

7.103

Door set, Sliding/folding, End Hung

7.113

Door Set, Hinged Leaf

7.104

Door set, Sliding/folding, Centre Hung

7.114

Door set, Hinged leaf (alternative)

7.105

Stairway, Arrow Indicates Up Direction

7.115

Door set, Hinged Leaf, Normally Closed

7.106

Ramp, Arrow Indicates Up Direction

7.116

Door set, Hinged Leaf, Normally Open

7.107

Fire Damper

7.117

Door set, Hinged Leaf, O[opening Either Way

7.108

Fire Resisting Construction 30 min

7.118

Door set, Hinged Leaf, Opening 180

7.109

Fire Resisting Construction 30 min's (for small scale drawings)

7.119

Door set, Two Hinged Leaves

7.110

   

Applications

Fire Resisting Glazed Screen

7.1E2 + &.7.1E3 7.101 + 7.118

Final Exit Door set Double Leaves Single Swing with push bar door ironmongery

7.110 + 7.1E11

 

Fire Damper in Ductwork

7.117

Ramp Showing Direction of Rise and Gradient

7.116 + 7.1E1

30 min Fire Resisting Door set, Single Leaf, Single Swing

7.118 + 7.104 +7.1E2 + 7.113

Guarding Rail along side of open Stairwell

7.115 + 7.1E10

60 min Fire Resisting Door set, Single Leaf, Single Swing

7.118 + 7.104 +7.1E2 + 7.1E13 + 7.1E14

Wall Opening with Roller Shutter 30 min's Fire Resistance operated by Fusible Link

7.102 + 7.1E13 + 7.1E12

30 min Fire and Smoke Resisting Door set, Double Leaf, Single Swing, Self Closing. Normally held open on electro magnetic devices

7.118 + 7.110 + 7.1E2 + 7.1E8 + 7.1E13 + 7.1E14

 

 

Return


Group 8 - Emergency Lighting

Table 8.1 - Lighting

Elements

Luminaire Any Type

8.1E1

Luminaire Linear Any Type Enclosed

8.1E4

Luminaire Any Type, Enclosed

8.1E2

Emergency / Safety

8.1E5

Luminaire Linear Any Type

8.1E3

   

Symbols

Emergency, Enclosed

8.101

Emergency, Linear Self Contained

8.104

Emergency, Self Contained

8.102

Emergency, Linear Enclosed

8.105

Emergency, Linear Any Type

8.103

Exit Sign Internally Illuminated

8.106

Return


Group 9 - Fire Safety Signs

Table 9.1 - Descriptions

Elements

General Prohibition

9.1E1

General Condition Sign

9.1E21

Smoking is Prohibited

9.1E2

Fire Exit

9.1E22

Smoking and Flames Prohibited

9.1E3

Slide to Open

9.1E23

Water as Extinguishing Agent Prohibited

9.1E4

Break to Obtain Access

9.1E24

General Warning

9.1E5

Push Bar to Open

9.1E25

Flammable Materials

9.1E6

Directional Arrow (Green)

9.1E26

Oxidizing Materials

9.1E7

Collection of Firefighting Equipment

9.1E27

Risk of Explosion

9.1E8

 

Fire Alarm Call Point

9.1E28

No Means of Escape

9.1E9

Fire Telephone

9.1E29

In the Event of a Fire, Avoid use of Lift

9.1E10

Fire Hose Reel

9.1E30

General Mandatory Sign

9.1E11

Fire Extinguisher

9.1E31

Fire Action Sign

9.1E12

Foam Inlet

9.1E32

Fire Door Keep Shut

9.1E13

Dry Riser

9.1E33

Fire Door Keep Locked

9.1E14

Wet Riser

9.1E34

Automatic Fire Door Keep Clear

9.1E15

Fireman`s Switch

9.1E35

Automatic Fire Door, Keep Clear, Close at Night

9.1E16

Open Valve, in the event of a Fire

9.1E36

Door to be Secured Open

9.1E17

Open Valve before running out Hose

9.1E37

Door to be Unlocked

9.1E18

Fire Plan

9.1E38

Gangway Keep Clear

9.1E19

Directional Arrow (Red)

9.1E39

Fire Escape Keep Clear

9.1E20

   

Symbols

Fire Exit

9.101

 

 

Applications

Fire Door to be kept shut

7.118 + 7.104 + 9.1$14

Fire Exit Door with Sign

7.118 + 7.110 + 8.106 + 9.1E22

Return


Group 10 - Smoke Control

Table 10.1 - Venting and Pressurization

Elements

Smoke Vent on Plan

10.1E1

Smoke Vent in Horizontal or Vertical Section

10.1E5

Smoke Vent over on Plan

10.1E2

Fan

10.1E6

Roof Light Vent on Plan

10.1E3

Flow Direction Extract

10.1E7

Roof Light Vent over on Plan

10.1E4

Flow Direction Supply

10.1E8

Symbols

*

Space Requiring Smoke Ventilation

10.101

Replacement Air Intake

10.111

*

Pressurized Space

10.102

Window Smoke Release Manual

10.112

Pressurized Space, Single stage

10.103

Window Smoke Release Automatic

10.113

Pressurized Space, Double Stage

10.104

Pressure Air Supply Point

10.114

Smoke Reservoir

10.105

Pressurizing Air Intake

10.115

Pressure Differential Point

10.106

Smoke Curtain Fixed

10.116

Smoke Vent Manually Actuated

10.107

Smoke Curtain Automatically Actuated

10.117

Smoke Vent Automatically Actuated

10.108

Smoke Extraction Fan

10.118

Smoke Extract Point

10.109

Pressurizing Air Supply Fan

10.119

Smoke Discharge Point

10.110

 

 

Return


The British standards are available from : -

 British Standards Online

British Fire Protection Systems Association

Standard Number Title Status Member Price Non-Member Price
BS 1635:1990 Recommendations for graphic symbols and abbreviations for fire protection drawings Current £34.00 £68.00

 


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 Saturday, 22 March, 2008 22:41

 

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