Emergency Exit Signs

 

Safety first! In workplaces, public facilities, production and events – in the event of accidents or fires, safety must be ensured with clearly visible signage in order to guarantee rapid assistance and rescue in an emergency. Safety signage for emergency exits, fire extinguishers, etc. in accordance with regulations and the creation of an escape and rescue plan are essential components of event planning. To ensure that visitors and employees can immediately recognise important rescue equipment, first aid and emergency facilities, as well as emergency exits and escape routes, safety signs must be visually clear and uniform in design and comply with the currently valid standards and regulations. These include DIN EN ISO 7010 (ASR A1.3) (Technical rules for workplaces / Safety and health protection signs).

What are safety signs?

Whether at work or at an event, rescue signs, firesafety signs and other safety signs save lives in an emergency. According to ASR A1.3, a "safety sign is a sign that, through a combination of geometric shape and colour and a graphic symbol, conveys a specific safety and health protection message."

What safety signs are there?

Fire safety signs (category F according to DIN EN ISO 7010)

Fire safety signs indicate the locations and equipment of fire alarm and fire extinguishing systems (e.g. fire extinguishers) that are important for fire protection. All signs relating to fire safety are square in shape and designed in the safety colour red. The signs have a white border and a white symbol. The new fire safety signs show a flame as an additional symbol, which is a significant change from the "old standard". The fire safety signs information sheet provides a comprehensive overview.

Mandatory signs (category M according to DIN EN ISO 7010)

A mandatory sign is used to prevent accidents. It is a safety sign that contains a specific instruction (e.g. wear safety goggles or ear protection). Signs with mandatory symbols are blue, round and feature white pictograms. The mandatory signs information sheet provides a comprehensive overview .

Prohibition signs (category sign P according to DIN EN ISO 7010)

A prohibition sign is a safety sign that indicates a desired omission of action or prohibits a certain behaviour that poses a danger (e.g. no smoking). Prohibition signs are round and have a white background. These signs are marked with a red border and a red horizontal bar. The symbols are black. The information sheet on prohibition signs provides a comprehensive overview.

Warning signs (category C according to DIN EN ISO 7010)

A warning sign is a safety sign that warns of a potential risk or danger (e.g. risk of crushing, flame, obstacle). The safety signs are yellow in colour and have a triangular shape. The border and the pictogram are black. The warning signs information sheet provides a comprehensive overview.

Rescue signs (category E according to DIN EN ISO 7010)

Rescue signs mark equipment, escape and rescue routes, emergency exits for rescue or the route to a first aid facility as well as the facility itself. Rescue signs are square or rectangular (combination signs with direction arrows), green in colour and display a white pictogram. The rescue signs information sheet provides a comprehensive overview.

Signage using rescue signs is particularly important for the safety of an event.

The following rescue signs are available:

• First aid
• Emergency telephone
• Assembly point
• Emergency exit
• Doctor
• Defibrillator
• Eye wash station
• Emergency shower
• Stretcher
• Emergency exit with escape ladder
• Rescue exit
• Opens by turning to the left, opens by turning to the right
• Emergency exit / escape route with arrow (combination sign with direction arrow left, right, up, down)
• Emergency exit / escape route, escape direction left
• Emergency exit / escape route, escape direction to the right
• Additional sign: Direction arrow (arrow left, right, up and down)

By the way: The ASR does not contain all signs relating to occupational safety. You will also find very specific safety signs in standards DIN EN ISO 7017 and 4844-2.

Additional signs

An additional sign, consisting of a straight or diagonal white arrow on a green (or red) square sign, is a directional sign (guidance system). However, this signage must be combined with other signs (e.g. fire protection, emergency exit, emergency exit) and must not be mounted as a single sign, as it is not considered a stand-alone rescue sign according to ISO 7010.

Arrows, whether individual, additionally mounted or integrated into the sign (combination sign), are only valid in accordance with ISO 7010 in conjunction with E001 and E002 (emergency exit left and emergency exit right).

Fire safety and emergency exit signage is only valid in conjunction with a directional arrow!

How are arrows used correctly on rescue signs?

Directional arrows may be rotated in 45° increments as required.

An arrow pointing UP indicates the direction of travel straight ahead!

Arrows pointing upwards ( ) should be used toindicate the direction of travel straight ahead. These additional signs are suitable for affixing above a door (door guard) or above an emergency exit, for example, and are recommended in accordance with ISO 16069.
An arrow pointing downwards ( ), on the other hand, is only recommended for indicating a change of floor in accordance with the DIN SPEC 4844-4 guideline.

Practice in Germany often shows something different: the downward-pointing arrow is often installed as a door guard – however, this contradicts international customs.

Combination signs

A combination sign consists of one (or more) pictograms and additionally displays either a direction arrow (ISO 7010) or text (DIN 4844). A combination sign is usually rectangular.

Safety signs are best purchased from allbuyone – your expert for event supplies. In addition to standard signage made from various materials, e.g. rescue signs (emergency exit) on banners, signs, flags, an emergency exit lamp and fire protection signage (fire extinguisher) for use in the event of a fire in accordance with DIN EN ISO 7010 or DIN 4844, we also offer customised safety signs for events:

Customised safety signs for events

Safety signs, health protection signs and guidance systems for large areas and open-air events are often implemented using customised signage . The safety signs – available in a range of sizes and shapes – are printed on different materials to suit your needs. For temporary safety signage, we offer cost-effective

• individually printed signs made of Dibond, Forex and hollow chamber,
• flags ( construction fence flags, container flags, mast flags)
• and banners made of tarpaulin or wind-permeable, textile materials (mesh) in customised oversizes.

Talk to us, we will be happy to advise you personally!

Whether for indoor or outdoor events, all common safety signs can be printed in any size and shape on a wide range of different materials.

Proper labelling with safety signs is regulated by various laws and regulations. In Germany , the ASR (Technical Rules for Workplaces) and DIN EN ISO 7010, which has been in force since 2013 , apply in particular . This standard, which is harmonised throughout Europe and largely internationally, has replaced safety labelling in accordance with BGV A8 with safety signs in accordance with DIN 4844 in many areas .

DIN EN 7010 or 4844-2 – which standard applies?

ISO 7010 is the current standard for safety signs. The use of symbols/pictograms WITHOUT TEXT conveys safety information internationally in a way that is understandable to everyone . It is used in workplaces, public buildings, at events, on products and in escape and rescue plans. It was primarily developed to create language-independent, easy-to-understand safety signs.

However, existing safety signs that comply with older regulations (BGV A8 / DIN 4844) are exempt from the new regulations. If your event or company premises are still signposted in accordance with the old standard, these signs are still valid and can even be supplemented if necessary. Only a combination of "new" and "old" rescue signs, or new signage using "old" safety signs (e.g. in accordance with DIN 4844-2) is often not permitted.

Further regulations for safety signs:

American events: In the USA, a different standard applies to emergency exits, rescue signs and other safety signs. You can find the relevant regulations in the following standards:

• ANSI Z535.3
• ANSI Z535.4

Barrier-free safety signage

ASR V3a.2 also applies to accessible (disability-friendly) safety and health protection signage . "Barrier-free design of workplaces".

For example, safety information on safety signs must be displayed in enlarged font for people with visual impairments, or be audible or tactile – through acoustic signals, relief plans with Braille – or through raised floor markings and guidance systems, among other things.

Colour, shape and design are specified

Among other things, DIN EN ISO 7010 mainly describes the colour and shape of signage and the graphic representation of safety signs (escape route, fire protection, prohibition, mandatory and warning signs) using pictograms (symbols) on the signs.

The standard, which applies throughout Europe, is the successor to the presentation rules for safety signs in accordance with DIN 4844 in many areas . It is internationally harmonised and widely understood worldwide, as it is not text-based and therefore eliminates language barriers. Safety signage in accordance with DIN 7010 is based solely on symbols (pictograms) without text. According to the "old" standard, for example, the figures were shown in signal white and the door was located next to them. DIN 7010 shows a signal green figure in a door.

The colours of the safety signs according to ISO 7010 are specified in ISO 3864-4 " ". The RAL-F-14 colour register is used as an example. The following colours (according to ISO 3864) can therefore also be printed on other materials (e.g. banners, flags, inexpensive hollow-chamber plates, etc.):

Colours:

Colour	RAL	RGB	CMYK
Signal yellow	1003	232/191/40	5/20/90/0
Signal red	3001	161/38/45	20/100/90/10
Signal green	6032	0/142/94	90/10/80/0
Signal blue	5005	0/72/115	100/40/0/40
Signal orange	2010	203/97/25	0/70/100/10
Signal black	9004	14/19/19	100/90/100/80
Signal white	9003	255/255/255	0

Shape:

• Green rescue signs: square
• Blue mandatory signs: round
• Red prohibition signs: round
• Yellow warning signs: triangular
• Red firesafety signs: square
• Combined signs (one sign with several safety messages or direction arrows): rectangular

ASR A1.3 also stipulates that safety signs must be adequately illuminated – by daylight or artificial light. If no safety lighting is available, the signs and guidance systems (ASR A3.4/7 "Safety lighting, optical safety guidance system" – escape and rescue routes) must still be clearly visible even if the general lighting fails ( ). This applies, for example, to safety signs that are often difficult to see in the event of smoke (fire).

Events without lighting? - Long-afterglow signs

If no safety lighting is installed, the signs must at least be long-luminous, i.e. made of fluorescent materials , in accordance with ASR A1.3. Although the colours of the signs cannot be represented by fluorescence, the safety benefit is that the shape and symbol remain recognisable, for example during a rescue operation.

The minimum requirements for photoluminescent signs ("fluorescence") can be found in ASR A3.4/7 and DIN 67510 "Photoluminescent pigments and products". Excerpt from DIN 67510:

Luminance	Specifications according to DIN 67510
10 min after lighting failure	20 mcd/m
60 min after lighting failure	2.8 mcd/m
Decay time	340 minutes

Lighting at events according to MVStättV

In addition to the relevant standards, the Model Assembly Venue Ordinance (MVStättVO) sets out clear requirements for safety lighting in assembly venues and assembly rooms. According to Section 15 of the MVStättVO "Safety lighting", "safety lighting must be provided in assembly venues in such a way that work on stages and performance areas can be completed safely and visitors, participants and staff can find their way to public traffic areas even in the event of a complete failure of the general lighting."

Furthermore, the MVstättV contains the following ( cf. Model Ordinance on the Construction and Operation of Assembly Venues, Model Assembly Venue Ordinance – MVStättVO in the version of June 2005):

Where must safety lighting be provided?

(2) Safety lighting must be provided:

• in necessary stairwells, in rooms between necessary stairwells and exits to the outside and in necessary corridors,
• in assembly rooms and in all other rooms for visitors (e.g. foyers, cloakrooms, toilets),
• for stages and performance areas,
• in rooms for performers and employees with a floor area of more than 20 m², except for offices,
• in electrical control rooms, in rooms for building services equipment and in spotlight and projector rooms,
• in outdoor assembly areas and sports stadiums that are used after dark,
• for safety signs for exits and escape routes,
• for step lighting.

(3) ¹In assembly rooms, on stages and stage areas that are darkened during operation, emergency lighting must be available on standby. ²The exits, corridors and steps in the assembly room must be clearly visible even when darkened, independently of the other safety lighting. ^3Steplighting is not required ^forcorridors in assembly rooms with removable seating and in sports stadiums with safety lighting.

The protection objectives of the MVStättVO should also be observed for events outside the scope of application

For events that fall outside the scope of the regulation, the protection objectives formulated in the Model Assembly Venue Regulation (Section 15, sentence 2) should still be applied as a matter of principle.

"For events that take place entirely or partially in the dark, it must be checked on a case-by-case basis whether safety lighting must be provided and for which areas of the event venue this should be implemented.

Objectives of safety lighting:

• Orientation on the event site
• Locating escape and rescue routes
• Locating fire-fighting and safety equipment (e.g. first aid)
• Enabling rescue operations and measures
• Termination of work processes (e.g. on stages, in sales areas, snack bars, etc.)
• Anti-panic measures: Calming visitors in the event of a sudden power failure

See here for further information: BaSiGo – Handbook on safety components for lighting and safety lighting

According to ASR A1.3 (3.16), the recognition distance is "the maximum distance at which a safety sign is still legible or recognisable...". When selecting suitable safety signs, the recognition distance depends on the size of the characters or symbols. The recommended size of illuminated characters, safety signs and additional signs in accordance with ASR A1.3 is as follows in relation to the recognition distance:

Recommendations of the Munich District Administration Office (Fire Department)

The "Event Safety" guidelines published by the Munich District Administration Office (Fire Department) recommend the following sign sizes depending on visibility:

Visibility	Lighting	Size
15 m	Internally illuminated illuminated	74 x 148 mm 148 x 297 mm
30 m	Internally illuminated illuminated	148 x 297 mm 297 x 594 mm

According to ASR A1.3, safety signs must be clearly visible and permanently affixed. This means:

• at a suitable height (fixed or movable)
• and illuminated (artificially or naturally)
• Warning, prohibition and mandatory signs must be affixed taking into account any obstacles at the access points to hazardous areas.
• Fire safety and rescue signs (emergency exits) must always be clearly visible in the direction of travel, especially in long corridors.
• Safety signs must be resistant to any environmental influences at the place of installation.

The KVR Munich advises: To ensure that signage (e.g. escape and rescue routes) is clearly visible to smaller persons even from a distance, a minimum installation height of 2 metres is recommended and, if necessary, the signage (e.g. emergency exits) should be installed across the full width.

Emergency exits, escape and rescue routes

Whether in production, at events or on company premises, emergency exits and escape and rescue routes are of particular importance. Make sure that the necessary

• escape and rescue plans are drawn up and displayed in important strategic and
• easily recognisable positions. Escape and rescue routes must always
• be accessible across their entire width, they must
• blocked and must be
• be easy to open at all times.

Inform staff about important evacuation and fire safety measures. This includes:

• Location of escape and rescue routes
• Locations of fire extinguishers and first aid equipment
• Familiarise staff with how to use the equipment.
• Show the location of assembly points.

Special features of the emergency exit rescue sign

Emergency exit signs and clearly visible escape route signage play a particularly important role – they can save lives in the event of an accident!

Each individual emergency exit should be marked with an emergency exit sign across the entire width of the exit or at least above the door. Often, several signs are necessary to indicate the entire escape route. Such signage is mandatory under fire safety regulations.

Emergency exit signage is only valid with a directional arrow. However, it is irrelevant whether this arrow is located directly on the sign or as an additional symbol next to the sign.

How many emergency exit signs are required?

There is no general answer to this question. It varies from case to case and can be determined on the basis of a site or company inspection. The fire brigade or building authority determines which signs are required, in what quantity, and how many escape routes must be provided and how wide they must be (see also the Assembly Venue Ordinance §7, Part 2 – General Building Regulations, Section Escape Routes §6-9).