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BS 5499 Safety Signs, Including Fire

Safety SignsBS 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 doesnt 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 4BS 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

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Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals Regulations)

1996

International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Fire

Signs

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 buildings 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

ConsiderationExhaustive 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 InformationThe 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, colours 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 colours. Specification for colorimetric and photometric properties of materials

BS EN 60598-2-22:1998+A2:2008 BS EN 60598-2-22:1999 Luminaires. Particular requirements. Luminaires for

emergency lighting

2011 Safelincs Ltd

Unit 1, Farlesthorpe Road, Alford, Lincolnshire, LN13 9PS, United KingdomAbout Us Contact Us Links Email: service@firesafe.org.uk

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