INTERNATIONAL ISO

STANDARD 16069

First edition
2004-11-01

Graphical symbols — Safety signs —

Safety way guidance systems (SWGS)
Symboles graphiques — Signaux de sécurité — Systèmes de guidage
pour cheminement d'évacuation de sécurité

iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW

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ISO 16069:2004
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Reference number
ISO 16069:2004(E)

© ISO 2004
ISO 16069:2004(E)

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© ISO 2004
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
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 ISO 16069:2004(E)

Contents Page

Foreword............................................................................................................................................................ iv
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ v
1 Scope ..................................................................................................................................................... 1
2 Normative references ........................................................................................................................... 1
3 Terms and definitions........................................................................................................................... 2
4 Planning a SWGS.................................................................................................................................. 4
5 Basic principles for the design of SWGS ........................................................................................... 5
6 Specific requirements for electrically powered components ........................................................ 11
7 Specific requirements for phosphorescent components............................................................... 15
Annex A (informative) Examples of SWGS layouts ...................................................................................... 20
Annex B (normative) Measurement of photopic luminance of phosphorescent components in the
laboratory ............................................................................................................................................ 42
Annex C (normative) On-site measurement of luminance performance of phosphorescent
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components of a SWGS ..................................................................................................................... 47
(standards.iteh.ai)
Bibliography ..................................................................................................................................................... 51

ISO 16069:2004
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ISO 16069:2004(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

ISO 16069 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 145, Graphical symbols, Subcommittee SC 2,
Safety identification, signs, shapes, symbols and colours.
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 ISO 16069:2004(E)

Introduction
Continued growth in travel and mobility of labour has resulted in a need to standardize safety way guidance
systems (SWGS) so that they communicate the information necessary to allow people to evacuate occupied
areas efficiently, and, if needed, to assemble in designated safe areas in cases of fire or other emergencies.

Through the consistent and uniform international application of common SWGS design principles, persons in
all countries will be better able to recognize and follow the directional information provided by such systems to
assist in providing a safe evacuation. As an additional benefit, a standardized SWGS will assist fire fighters
and other rescue teams to evacuate occupied areas during emergency situations.

In order to communicate safety way guidance information efficiently across language barriers, the systems
defined in this International Standard incorporate the use of graphical symbols and markings such as arrows,
conforming to ISO Standards.

Illumination of escape routes is not part of the SWGS and is therefore not covered by this International
Standard; a SWGS is not intended to replace emergency escape lighting. There will be certain situations
where emergency escape lighting is not needed, and other situations, for example where smoke is present,
where emergency escape lighting can lose its efficiency and a SWGS will be more effective in assisting
emergency evacuation, but it is generally recommended that SWGS be used in combination with the
illumination of escape routes to provide additional benefits for the whole system.
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The principles given in this International Standard are intended to provide consistent design elements
(standards.iteh.ai)
irrespective of the components used. Consistent use will improve public awareness of the systems and assist
rapid recognition and effectiveness in the case of an emergency.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 16069:2004(E)

Graphical symbols — Safety signs — Safety way guidance

systems (SWGS)

IMPORTANT — The colours represented in the electronic file of this International Standard can be
neither viewed on screen nor printed as true representations. Although the copies of this International
Standard printed by ISO have been produced to correspond (with an acceptable tolerance as judged
by the naked eye) to the requirements of ISO 3864-1, it is not intended that these printed copies be
used for colour matching. Instead consult ISO 3864-1 which provides colorimetric and photometric
properties together with, as a guideline, references from colour order systems.

1 Scope
This International Standard describes the principles governing the design and application of visual
components used to create a safety way guidance system (SWGS).

This International Standard contains general principles valid both for electrically powered and for
phosphorescent components. Special information which is related to the type of component is given to assist
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in defining the environment of use, choice of material, layout, installation and maintenance of SWGS.
(standards.iteh.ai)
This International Standard does not cover risk assessment. Applications with different risks to the occupants
typically require different layouts and types of SWGS. The specific application and exact final design of SWGS
is entrusted to those persons responsible forISOthis16069:2004
task.
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This International Standard also does not include the special considerations of possible tactile or audible
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components of SWGS, nor does it include requirements concerning the emergency escape route lighting,
especially the design and application of emergency escape route lighting, unless illumination is used to mark
safety equipment or special features of the escape route like the emergency exit doors or stairs.

This International Standard is intended, by collaboration and coordination, to be used by all other Technical
Committees within ISO and IEC charged with developing SWGS for their specific requirements. This
International Standard is not to be used for ships falling under regulations of the International Maritime
Organization (IMO).

NOTE For example, some national regulations do not allow the use of the exit signs specified in this International
Standard. These signs cannot therefore be used in those countries until such time as the relevant regulations are
amended.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.

ISO 3864-1:2002, Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Part 1: Design principles for safety
signs in workplaces and public areas, corrected and reprinted in 2003

ISO 7010, Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Safety signs used in workplaces and
public areas

IEC 60050-845, International electrotechnical vocabulary (IEV) — Chapter 845: Lighting

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ISO 16069:2004(E)

IEC 60364-5-55, Electrical installations of buildings — Part 5-55: Selection and erection of electrical
equipment; — Other equipment 1)

IEC 60598-2-22, Luminaires — Part 2-22: Particular requirements — Luminaires for emergency lighting

CIE Publication 15.2:1986, Colorimetry, 2nd ed.

CIE Publication 69:1987, Methods of characterizing illuminance meters and luminance meters: Performance,
characteristics and specification

3 Terms and definitions

For the purpose of this document, the terms and definitions in IEC 60050-845 and the following apply.

3.1
assembly area
designated safe area outside the occupied area where occupants are expected to assemble

NOTE Adapted from ISO 17724.

3.2
dead end corridor
corridor or part of a corridor from which there is only one route of escape

[ISO 17724]

3.3
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emergency escape lighting (standards.iteh.ai)
that part of emergency lighting that provides illumination for the safety of people leaving a location or
attempting to terminate a potentially dangerous process before doing so
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3.4
emergency lighting
lighting provided for use when the supply to the normal lighting fails

[ISO 17724]

3.5
factor of distance
z
relationship between the height (h) of a sign and observation distance (l), used to determine observation
distances of signs

l
z=
h
[ISO 17724]

3.6
guidance line
highly visible linear markers forming part of the safety way guidance system provided to clearly delineate an
escape route or define an escape path through an open area

NOTE Adapted from ISO 17724.

1) This document and its separate amendments continue to be valid together with the consolidated version.

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 ISO 16069:2004(E)

3.7
high location
〈safety way guidance system〉 installation position at ceiling level or no less than 1,8 m above floor level for
safety signs and other safety way guidance components

[ISO 17724]

3.8
intermediate location
〈safety way guidance system〉 installation position between a low location and a high location especially at eye
level for safety signs and other safety way guidance components

[ISO 17724]

3.9
low location
〈safety way guidance system〉 installation position at floor level or at a short distance above floor level for
safety signs and other safety way guidance components

[ISO 17724]

3.10
marking
〈safety way guidance system〉 method of highlighting and identifying specific building components or
equipment by means of light emitting material fixed to building components or illumination provided by
separate light sources
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3.11
observation distance (standards.iteh.ai)
l
greatest distance from which a sign is legibleISO
and conspicuous
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3.12
period of use
〈safety way guidance system〉 time over which the safety way guidance system is expected to be operational

[ISO 17724]

3.13
phosphorescence
photoluminescence delayed by storage of energy in an intermediate energy level

[ISO 17724]

3.14
safety sign
sign which gives a general safety message, obtained by a combination of colour and geometric shape and
which, by the addition of a graphical symbol, gives a particular safety message

[ISO 17724]

3.15
safety way guidance system
SWGS
system to provide conspicuous and unambiguous information and sufficient visual cues to enable people to
evacuate an occupied area in an emergency along a specified escape route by using a comprehensive
arrangement of visual components, signs and markings

[ISO 17724]

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ISO 16069:2004(E)

3.16
supplementary sign
sign that is supportive of another sign and the main purpose of which is to provide additional clarification

[ISO 17724]

4 Planning a SWGS

4.1 General

Since SWGS are complex and can consist of a variety of possible components, steps shall be taken at the
planning stage to determine appropriate designs.

The SWGS shall take into account the following factors:

 anticipated number of people who will use the escape route;

 demographic characteristics of the people occupying the building;

 type of activity being carried out in the occupied area;

 expected delay time for the commencement of the evacuation;

 iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW

type, size, occupation and location of the building;

 (standards.iteh.ai)
complexity of the escape routes and the possibility for confusion at changes of direction and floor level;

 specific hazards likely to be encountered; ISO 16069:2004

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 specific risk conditions in which use of thebd52dc7420c2/iso-16069-2004
escape routes will be necessary;

 any existing emergency escape route features, such as floor plans;

 the possible combinations of components in SWGS to assist evacuation under specific risk conditions
such as presence of diffused or stratified smoke, earthquakes, and presence of obstacles or specific
crowding conditions.

NOTE Visual elements in smoke will be visible at greater observation distances if the luminance or the intensity is
higher. Background illumination in smoke will tend to obscure many elements and render visibility poor. Transilluminated
elements emitting light from the surface will be more visible for these reasons.

4.2 Selection of components

The final selection of components for SWGS shall be influenced by the following factors:

 the need for both high location and low location components, which are the primary visual components of
a SWGS;

NOTE 1 The general design principle is that safety way guidance elements will be more conspicuous in peripheral
vision and that signs and information are more legible and understandable in direct line of sight when luminance,
luminance contrast and size are increased.

 the minimum photometric properties and sizes for components specified in this International Standard.

NOTE 2 Conspicuity, recognizability and legibility will increase with the size, luminance or intensity and frequency of
the components under all conditions.

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 ISO 16069:2004(E)

 the need for phosphorescent components to be exposed to an illumination source in order to function;

 the need for an emergency back-up power supply that automatically powers electrically operated
components, such as lighting and signs, in the event of a failure of the normal power source in order to
function;

 the need for high-located escape route signs to be operational at all times when the area is occupied and
also in the event of a failure of the normal power supply;

 the need for the minimum requirements of low and intermediate located escape route signs and guidance
lines to be operational in a dark surrounding for a period of use after failure of illumination in the case of
phosphorescent components and after a failure of the power supply of the general lighting in the case of
electrically powered components.

SWGS according to this International Standard should be effective for at least 60 min considerably exceeding
the normally expected evacuation time. For most buildings, a SWGS can be required to meet longer periods
of use such as the duration requirements of emergency escape route lighting.

5 Basic principles for the design of SWGS

5.1 Design objectives

5.1.1 General
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SWGS shall provide consistent and coherent information to occupants so that they can be evacuated in an
(standards.iteh.ai)
orderly manner from any place within an occupied area to an assembly area.

Various components may be employed to communicate ISO 16069:2004safety way guidance information as part of SWGS
such as those given in Clauses 5, 6 and 7.
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NOTE SWGS is intended to be installed throughout a building but may be restricted to certain parts of the escape
route where supported by a risk analysis.

5.1.2 Continuity

SWGS components shall be arranged as continuously and unbroken as possible from within the occupied
area to the assembly area. Way guidance lines shall be used to provide a visually continuous, conspicuous
line from within the building to the final point of the escape route and shall preferably be a complete
delineation of the boundaries of the escape route.

5.1.3 Visual reinforcement

Safety signs and directional indicators shall be placed at intervals sufficient to provide consistency and
continuity of information.

The frequency and visual reinforcement of directional signs at high, intermediate and low location shall be
determined by the risk assessment.

Directional signs positioned at low location shall be incorporated in, or be close to, the way guidance lines.
Wherever practical, directional signs located at high and intermediary level shall be repeated at low location.

5.1.4 Location

Low location shall be the principal position for guidance lines giving perspective over distances up to 30 m as
well as directional signs up to observation distances of 5 m.

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ISO 16069:2004(E)

Additional escape route marking and guidance lines may be placed at up to 1,20 m from the floor to provide
visual reinforcement and to assist in the identification of guide rails, handrails or other architectural elements
along the escape route. This adds further to the perspective of the escape route over medium observation
distances of approximately 10 m to 20 m.

High-located safety signs and directional indicators shall be located to ensure visual reinforcement at medium
to long observation distances of between approximately 10 m and 30 m and to indicate change of escape
route direction or intermediate and final destinations on the escape route and shall be installed at all
emergency exit doors along the escape route and at the final exit.

The visual field between 1,20 m and 1,80 m on the walls of the escape route may be used for visually
reinforcing directional information for medium observation distances of approximately 10 m to 20 m.

5.1.5 Visibility and colour

The colour, shape and graphical symbols of safety signs shall conform to ISO 3864-1 and ISO 7010. All
components of an activated SWGS shall have a luminance contrast to the surrounding of W 3 under all
designed operating conditions.

All components of a SWGS shall use the appropriate safety colour green or white or contrast colour in
accordance with ISO 3864-1.

NOTE 1 For low and intermediate located components with luminances less than 2 cd/m2 see ISO 3864-1:2002,
Clause 10, Note 2.

NOTE 2 iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW

For specific colours of electrical and non-electrical components, see Clauses 6 and 7.

5.1.6 Destination (standards.iteh.ai)

Final and intermediary destinations along the escape ISOroute such as emergency exit doors on the route and
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be given specific emphasis by using SWGS components.
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5.1.7 Avoidance of confusion at decision points

SWGS shall avoid the presentation to occupants of alternative routes to follow which might create uncertainty
and confusion during evacuation. In the case of equal distances between alternative routes then, occupants
shall be encouraged to move either way by the location of directional signs some distance away from the
equidistant point.

5.1.8 Dead ends and changes of direction

The frequency of directional signs, at high, intermediate and low location, shall be increased in dead end
areas to progress occupants away from the dead end towards the escape route.

NOTE A typical layout of a SWGS in dead ends is given in Figure A.11.

5.1.9 Minimization of potentially competing or confusing information in the visual field on escape
routes

Public information signs and general building facilities signs shall be subordinate and of distinctively different
colour to components of the SWGS along designated escape routes.

NOTE This can be achieved by increasing size, frequency or luminance of safety way guidance components or
similarly reducing size or luminance of potentially competing information.

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5.1.10 Multi-storey buildings

SWGS in multi-storey buildings shall include a floor numbering system on all stairwells. On each floor or main
corridor leading to emergency exits there shall be a floor plan to assist orientation.

5.1.11 Signs for marking the location of fire-fighting and emergency equipment

The location of fire-fighting and emergency equipment along and adjacent to escape routes shall be marked
with the appropriate safety signs as given in ISO 3864-1 and ISO 7010. Arrows shall not be used for the
marking of the location of such equipment along or adjacent to escape routes.

The areas around fire-fighting and emergency equipment may also be marked with the appropriate safety
marking in accordance with ISO 3864-1.

NOTE These signs and markings provide supplementary visual orientation cues to occupants.

5.2 Consistent and unambiguous use of escape route signs and directional indicators

5.2.1 General

SWGS designed to this International Standard shall use the safety signs specified in ISO 3864-1 and
ISO 7010 for emergency exit and the use of the appropriate supplementary arrow sign for directional purposes
(see Figure 1).

All exit signs at emergency exit doors on the escape route shall be used with an arrow pointing upward,
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meaning “straight on from here”.

NOTE 1
(standards.iteh.ai)
A supplementary sign with text will make the sign more conspicuous.

NOTE 2 ISO 16069:2004

The family of directional signs to be used in SWGS and their safety meaning are called “escape route signs”.
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NOTE 3 Escape route signs positioned bd52dc7420c2/iso-16069-2004
at low and intermediate location may be substituted
by directional indicators
using the graphical symbol of ISO 7010 but not all the colour requirements of ISO 3864-1. Examples are given in Figure 1
and Figure 2.

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ISO 16069:2004(E)

Meaning as viewed Using graphical symbol Example using Example using

from in front and supplementary supplementary text dual language
of the sign arrow only supplementary text
Proceed down to the
right (indicating change
of level).
a) Proceed up to the
right (indicating
change of level).
b) Proceed forward
and across to the
right from here
when suspended
within an open
area.
Proceed down to the
left (indicating change
of level).
a) Proceed up to the
left (indicating
change of level).
b) Proceed forward
and across to the iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
left from here when
suspended within (standards.iteh.ai)
an open area.
ISO 16069:2004
a) Proceed forward https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/5cbe26ab-b55f-413a-ab4f-
from here bd52dc7420c2/iso-16069-2004
(indicating direction
of travel).
b) Proceed forward
and through from
here; when sign is
sited above door
(indicating direction
of travel).
c) Proceed forward
and up from here
(indicating change
of level).
Proceed to the right
from here (indicating
direction of travel).
Proceed to the left from
here (indicating
direction of travel).
Proceed down from
here (indicating
direction of travel).

Figure 1 — Examples of escape route signs or directional indicators to be used

with or without a supplementary sign with text

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 ISO 16069:2004(E)

Figure 2 — Example of a directional indicator for floor marking

5.2.2 Consistency of use

The direction given by the arrow is used exclusively to indicate the direction of movement of evacuation.
Directional “escape route signs” (such as those given as examples in Figure 1 and Figure 2) shall be used
exclusively to indicate the direction to be followed by occupants. The graphical symbol in a directional sign at
high, intermediate or low location shall always be used in combination with the appropriate arrow.

5.2.3 Installed position

The exact meaning of a directional sign is dependant on the installed position. Particular attention shall be
paid to changes of direction, the signing at intermediate doors through which occupants pass along the
escape route and for escape routes requiring movement to an upper level in a building.

5.3 Principles of layout using the different visual components

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5.3.1 Escape route signs and directional indicators to the nearest exit or safe area
(standards.iteh.ai)
5.3.1.1 General
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During the expected period of use, escape route signs and directional indicators shall provide clear,
conspicuous and unambiguous directional bd52dc7420c2/iso-16069-2004
information visible from all possible locations in the escape route
and in adjacent areas along the escape route. These escape route signs and directional indicators shall
continue to a safe area or assembly area. To avoid confusion and hesitation, the visual presentation of the
guidance lines shall be as continuous as possible and the number of break points shall be minimized.

The components of the guidance system shall be positioned in such a way as to help avoid possible hazards
for the occupants.

NOTE The technical design parameters of the individual components are dealt with in Clause 6 for electrically
powered systems and in Clause 7 for phosphorescent systems.

5.3.1.2 Escape route signs

High-located exit signs shall be provided at all exits intended to be used in an emergency and where
necessary along escape routes to indicate the direction to the next exit, emergency exit, safe area or
assembly area as well as to indicate the position of the escape route for occupants in adjacent areas.

Where direct sight of an emergency exit sign is not possible within the observation distance, a series of exit
direction signs shall be provided to assist progression toward the emergency exit. For escape route signs in
intermediate location the maximum distance between these signs shall be 10 m.

5.3.1.3 Guidance lines and accompanying directional indicators

Guidance lines shall be realized by:

 point sources: sources with a light emitting area < 100 mm2 which are arranged in a chain with intervals
of at most 0,2 m;

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