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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
BS 5499 Safety Signs, Including Fire Safety Signs http://www.firesafe.org.uk/bs-5499-safety-signs-including-fire-safety-s...
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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: [email protected]
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