Safety signage

[Tom Sutton]

I saw the following text on a Fire Exit Sign provider’s website.

"As both British Standard fire exit signs(BS5499) and European Standard fire exit signs have a running man and a directional arrow, both are compliant with the Health & Safety (Safety Signs & Signals) Regulations 1996. However, only one is recognised by the British Standard. With its supplementary text and open doorway graphic, this range of fire exit signs is proven to be more meaningful under test conditions.

Please note, in EU countries the European standard pictogram must be used."

Does anybody know which sign is more popular in other European countries the ISO or Euro Sign? In UK it appears to be the euro sign.

[The Reiver]

That is a question and a half TW.

UK

If you are refering to straight plastic sign boards I would estimate at 70 - 30 in favour of the "euro" graphic (but that is only based on my companies own experiences).

As most - if not all -  emergency light manufacturers use the "euro" graphic too, then the figure could be way higher if you are refering to the overall use of pictograms (both lights and signs)

REST OF EU

I have limited lnowledge of this, but from countries I have visited and being a sad person (looking at fire fighting and evacuation kit is sad when on holiday) I would say that each country tends to have its' own version of the "euro" graphic. I have never seen a cross european standardised sign, all countries seem to have their own quirks.

Maybe Jim could throw more light  :lol: (that was not meant to be a quip) on the european scene.

[AnthonyB]

The majority of places (& I see a few) use the BS symbol on normal signs, the small blip of Euro signs that sprung up around '98-'00 appears to have subsided with a few exceptions.

Of course the opposite is the case with exit boxes as it is so difficult to get them with BS logos.

We only spec BS signs and provide BS signs and overlays for exit boxes.

The rest of the EU? Many don't have any signs!

[Jim Creak]

I saw the following text on a Fire Exit Sign provider’s website.


Please note, in EU countries the European standard pictogram must be used."

Does anybody know which sign is more popular in other European countries the ISO or Euro Sign? In UK it appears to be the euro sign.

This statement by this company has to be totally incorrect as there is NO European Standard, There IS an International Standard that is exactly the same as the British Standard. ISO 7010, BS 5499 Part 4

[Tom Sutton]

It appears the augment which sign should be used revolves around how understandable the signs are. During my research I came across the following statement.

"Exhaustive testing both comprehension and judgement 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."

I would think if we added the two supplementary signs (directional sign and Text sign) to the euro sign, in line with what the above committee said, then I wonder how that combination would achieve if tested as above?

[Jim Creak]

Your suggestion has some validity and is exactly what " The Reiver" is doing to overcome his problems. The only problem here is that you end up with two arrows, one within the graphical symbol and one depicting This Way as described in the Government Guidance Document. The British and International Technical Committee thought this was ludicrous.

In the end some manufacturers went there own way and have created hybrid signs that are neither Euro Signs or Standardised Signs.

Why not stick to BS 5499 ISO 7010 ISO 16069 the have all the credentials we need to do the job properly.

[Tom Sutton]

I totally agree with you but in building who have opted for the euro sign and its hybrids this is a different matter. If you asked the RP to remove all his euro signs and replace them with BS signs I am sure he would ask you, do the signs meet the requirements of the regulations, which they do, and then require you to remove yourself in short sharp jerky movements.

I think Reiver did all he could do in the circumstances of the case and the fault lies with the directive which failed to achieve its main aim, to have a common standard throughout the member states.

[Jim Creak]

As I have said many times before, there is no justification for using signs that could be misunderstood and misleading. The Responsible Person should be told this as a significant finding of the risk assessment, if he wishes to ignor this fact, or justify their use because of Government confusion he can.

As we are all aware nothing in Fire Safety is prescriptive, there are many ways you can acheive the same objectives in Fire Safety so it is possible to make up any sign you want to and it is totally legal to do so. Even for the provision of emergency lighting government guidance tells us a torch readily available can satisfy the legislation.

Euro Signs are not understood, as a fire safety professional I can not accept they can satisfy the requirements for escape route location, identification or directional guidance for evacuees, no more than I can recommend a torch for emergency escape route illumination.

Without wishing to offend any one, It is a matter of professional competence, integrity and above all liability to promote and recommend best practice, any deviation should bring benefit not detriment.

BS 5499 Part 4 2000 for Escape Route Signs, ISO 7010 is the best possible solution.