INTERNATIONAL ISO

STANDARD 16069

Second edition
2017-11

Graphical symbols — Safety signs —

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

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ISO 16069:2017
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Reference number
ISO 16069:2017(E)

© ISO 2017
ISO 16069:2017(E)


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Contents Page

Foreword...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................v
Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. vi
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
5.1 Design objectives.................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
5.1.1 General...................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
5.1.2 Continuity............................................................................................................................................................................... 5
5.1.3 Visual reinforcement..................................................................................................................................................... 6
5.1.4 Location.................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
5.1.5 Destination............................................................................................................................................................................. 6
5.1.6 Avoidance of confusion at decision points................................................................................................. 6
5.1.7 Dead ends................................................................................................................................................................................ 6
5.1.8 Minimization of potentially competing or confusing information in the
visual field on escape routes................................................................................................................................... 6
5.1.9 Multi-level facilities........................................................................................................................................................ 7
5.2 Guidance lines........................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
5.3 iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
Escape route signs................................................................................................................................................................................. 7
5.3.1 Design......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
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5.3.2 Consistency of use........................................................................................................................................................... 9
5.3.3 Installed position.............................................................................................................................................................. 9
5.4 ISO 16069:2017
Signs, markings and plans........................................................................................................................................................... 10
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5.4.1 Marking of stairs, ramps and ladders.......................................................................................................... 10
5.4.2 Marking of emergency 4306e2bfc8e1/iso-16069-2017
exits................................................................................................................................. 10
5.4.3 Marking of fire-fighting, emergency and safety equipment and alarm-
initiating devices............................................................................................................................................................ 10
5.4.4 Marking of hazards along the escape route............................................................................................ 10
5.4.5 Marking of assembly areas and safe areas at the end of the escape route.................. 11
5.4.6 Marking of escape routes for the specific use of disabled persons.................................... 11
5.4.7 Escape and evacuation plan signs................................................................................................................... 11
5.4.8 Access platforms............................................................................................................................................................ 11
6 Specific requirements for electrically powered components..............................................................................11
6.1 General......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
6.2 Requirements for guidance lines and escape route signs................................................................................ 12
6.2.1 Escape route sign luminaire................................................................................................................................. 12
6.2.2 Guidance lines made by point sources and accompanying escape route signs....... 12
6.2.3 Guidance lines made by line sources and accompanying escape route signs........... 12
6.2.4 Guidance lines made of discrete luminaires.......................................................................................... 12
6.3 Marking....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
6.3.1 Marking of stairs and ramps................................................................................................................................ 12
6.3.2 Marking of emergency exits................................................................................................................................. 13
6.3.3 Marking of hazards along the escape route............................................................................................ 13
6.4 Emergency power supply and operating conditions for the electrical components................ 13
6.5 Documentation and logbook..................................................................................................................................................... 13
6.6 Inspection and maintenance..................................................................................................................................................... 14
7 Specific requirements for phosphorescent components.........................................................................................14
7.1 General......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
7.2 Luminance requirements for phosphorescent components of a SWGS.............................................. 14
7.2.1 Minimum luminance properties....................................................................................................................... 14
7.2.2 Minimum luminance required in installed position....................................................................... 15

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7.3 Guidance lines and escape route signs and their location within a SWGS........................................ 15
7.3.1 Guidance lines.................................................................................................................................................................. 15
7.3.2 Escape route signs........................................................................................................................................................ 15
7.4 Marking....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
7.4.1 Marking of stairs, ramps and ladders.......................................................................................................... 16
7.4.2 Marking of door frames of emergency exits........................................................................................... 16
7.4.3 Marking of hazards along the route.............................................................................................................. 16
7.4.4 Marking of fire-fighting, emergency and safety equipment along the
escape route....................................................................................................................................................................... 16
7.4.5 Floor numbering and stairwell identification for multi-storey building...................... 16
7.5 Illumination requirements......................................................................................................................................................... 17
7.6 Verification of illumination and luminance.................................................................................................................. 17
7.7 Documentation and logbook..................................................................................................................................................... 17
7.8 Inspection and maintenance..................................................................................................................................................... 17
Annex A (normative) Measurement of photopic luminance of phosphorescent components
in the laboratory.................................................................................................................................................................................................19
Annex B (normative) On-site measurement of luminance performance of phosphorescent
components of a SWGS.................................................................................................................................................................................25
Annex C (informative) Visibility and identifiability of phosphorescent safety way guidance
components and their sizing and location..............................................................................................................................29
Bibliography.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 39

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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.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
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. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
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World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see the following
URL: www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
(standards.iteh.ai)
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC  145, Graphical symbols, Subcommittee
SC 2, Safety identifications, signs, shapes, symbols, and colours.
ISO 16069:2017
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This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 16069:2004) which has been technically
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revised.
The main changes compared with the previous edition are as follows:
a) the component luminance requirements of the electrical systems have been updated;
b) the component luminance and dimensions of non-electrical phosphorescent systems have been
updated;
c) the document and its requirements have been simplified to improve ease of use and eliminate
ambiguity;
d) all example figures which by definition could not cover all arrangements have been removed;
e) an informative annex for designers of non-electrical phosphorescent systems regarding observation
distances has been added.

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Introduction
Safety way guidance systems need to be standardized so that they communicate the information
necessary to allow people to be able to evacuate a building efficiently and, if necessary, 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 document incorporate the use of graphical symbols and markings such as
arrows, conforming to ISO 7010 and ISO 3864-3.
Illumination of escape routes is not part of the SWGS and is therefore not covered by this document;
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.
The principles given in this document are intended to provide consistent design elements irrespective
of whether they use electrically powered or phosphorescent components. Consistent use will improve
public awareness of the systems and assist rapid recognition and effectiveness in the case of an
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emergency.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 16069:2017(E)

Graphical symbols — Safety signs — Safety way guidance

systems (SWGS)
IMPORTANT — The colours represented in the electronic file of this document can be neither
viewed on screen nor printed as true representations. For the purposes of colour matching,
see ISO 3864-4 which provides colorimetric and photometric properties together with, as a
guideline, references from colour order systems.

1 Scope
This document describes the principles governing the design and application of visual components
used to create a safety way guidance system (SWGS).
This document 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 in defining
the environment of use, choice of material, layout, installation and maintenance of SWGS.
This document 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 for this task.
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This document also does not include the special considerations of possible tactile or audible components
of SWGS, nor does it include requirements for high mounted components of the emergency escape route
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lighting, especially the design and application of emergency escape route lighting.
This document is intended, by collaborationISO and coordination, to be used by all other Technical Committees
16069:2017
within ISO and IEC charged with developing SWGS for their specific requirements. This document is not to
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be used for ships falling under regulations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
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2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements 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, Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Part 1: Design principles for safety
signs and safety markings
ISO 3864-3, Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Part 3: Design principles for graphical
symbols for use in safety signs
ISO 3864-4:2011, Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Part 4: Colorimetric and
photometric properties of safety sign materials
ISO 7010:2011, Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Registered safety signs
ISO 23601, Safety identification — Escape and evacuation plan signs
IEC 60364-5-56, Low-Voltage electrical Installations — Part 5-56: Selection and erection of electrical
equipment — Safety services
IEC 60598-2-22, Luminaires — Part 2-22: Particular requirements — Luminaires for emergency lighting

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3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
assembly area
designated safe area outside the occupied area where occupants are expected to assemble
3.2
dead end
corridor, or part of a corridor whose depth is greater than its width from which there is only one
escape route
[SOURCE: ISO 15370:2010, 3.5]
3.3
emergency escape lighting
that part of emergency lighting (3.4) that provides illumination for the safety of people leaving a location
or attempting to terminate a potentially dangerous process before doing so
3.4 iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
emergency lighting
(standards.iteh.ai)
lighting provided for use when the supply to the normal lighting fails
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z 4306e2bfc8e1/iso-16069-2017
relationship between the height (h) of a sign and observation distance (l), used to determine observation
distances of signs

l
z=
h
[SOURCE: ISO 3864‑1:2011, 3.2]
3.6
guidance line
line of luminous material on or close to the floor provided to clearly delineate an escape route or define
an escape path through an open area
3.7
high location
installation position above doors or at or close to ceiling level for safety signs and other safety way
guidance components
3.8
intermediate location
installation position between a low location (3.9) and a high location (3.7) especially at eye level for
safety signs and other safety way guidance components
3.9
low location
installation position at or close to floor level for safety signs and other safety way guidance components

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3.10
luminance contrast
<SWGS> luminance of the brightest element of the safety way guidance component divided by the
luminance of the surrounding environment
3.11
marking
method of highlighting and identifying specific building components or equipment
3.12
observation distance
l
<sign> distance from which a sign is identifiable and conspicuous
3.13
observation distance
l
<guidance lines, door frames> distance from which guidance lines (3.6) and door frames are visible
3.14
period of use
time over which the safety way guidance system is expected to be operational
3.15
phosphorescent material
material incorporating phosphors that, if excited by UV or visible radiation, store energy, which is
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emitted as light over a period of time
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Note 1 to entry: A phosphorescent sign is the same as “photoluminescent” commonly used in the literature of the
photoluminescent safety sign industry.
ISO 16069:2017
[SOURCE: ISO 3864‑4:2011, 3.12, modified — Note 1 to entry has been added.]
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3.16
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
[SOURCE: ISO 3864‑1:2011, 3.12]
3.17
safety way guidance system
SWGS
system that provides luminous markings and direction information for the safety of people leaving a
location
3.18
sign height
diameter of a circular geometric shape or height of a rectangular or triangular geometric shape
Note 1 to entry: Registered safety sign originals in ISO 7010 are in a uniform 70 mm size with corner marks to
enable accurate enlargement and reduction scaling. A border is not shown.

[SOURCE: ISO 3864‑1:2011, 3.13, modified — Note 1 to entry has been added.]

3.19
supplementary sign
sign that is supportive of a safety sign and the main purpose of which is to provide additional
clarification
[SOURCE: ISO 3864‑1:2011, 3.14]

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4 Planning a SWGS
This document provides guidelines for the installation of the guidance system in buildings where it has
been decided as the result of risk assessment to install a luminous safety way guidance system.
Since SWGS 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:
a) the characteristics of the exit path of the horizontal and stairwell sections of the defined escape
route and exit paths to them, including through open areas;
b) the location of emergency exit doors and how the door frame can be marked and the placement of
escape route signs;
c) the location of assembly stations and refuge areas;
d) the location of all possible escape routes (emergency stairwell, escape windows, ladders);
e) the location of escape and evacuation plan signs at a prominent place;
f) the location of hazards such as machinery, dangerous goods, steps and obstacles;
g) the location of safety equipment and fire equipment;
h) the characteristics of the installed emergency lighting in terms of designed illuminance
performance and duration; iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
i) (standards.iteh.ai)
the location and type of high mounted emergency exit signs installed as part of the emergency
lighting system;
ISO 16069:2017
j) for phosphorescent systems, the type of light source of the normal and emergency lighting and
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designed/in situ illuminance at potential placement of guidance lines and safety signs;
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k) for phosphorescent systems, the time management of the normal light sources in the location
(occupancy floor and stairwells) for phosphorescent components to be sufficiently exposed to an
illumination source in order to function in dark surroundings;
l) for electrically powered systems, the potential locations for the independent power supply, the
potential locations for routing of the power cables and devices for detection of failure of power
supply and/or smoke;
m) 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;
n) the fire compartmentalization provisions;
o) the location of opening devices for doors, e.g. sliding doors, door handle, push bars, emergency push
buttons;
p) the design of existing escape route signs.

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5 Basic principles for the design of SWGS

5.1 Design objectives

5.1.1 General

Safety way guidance systems shall provide the users of the building with consistent, coherent
information so that they can be evacuated efficiently from any occupancy unit to a safe area.
Luminous safety way guidance systems can be installed in addition to high located emergency lighting
and its associated high located escape route signs. Safety way guidance systems shall be installed
and activated in all risk situations that have been defined by risk assessments. Examples of situations
include blackout of the exit path and escape route signs due to potential failure of the power supply to
the escape route lighting or the risk of smoke obscuring the exit path and emergency exit doors.
The approach of both phosphorescent or electrically powered safety way guidance systems is luminous
marking of the exit path and changes of level of the emergency exit path, not the illumination of the
floor or steps. Consequently, for the safety way guidance systems specified in this document there is
not a requirement to specify the horizontal illuminance on the centre line of the escape path or vertical
illuminance at safety equipment.
Activation/charging of phosphorescent components to produce light emission in dark surroundings
requires pre-exposure of the components to the installed light sources. The luminance performance
during the decay mode of the phosphorescent components depends upon the light spectral
characteristics of the light source, the excitation illuminance at the location of the phosphorescent
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component and the duration of the excitation.
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All the components of an activated safety way guidance system shall have a luminance contrast with
the surroundings of >3 when in use and for at least the time allocated for escape in clear air conditions.
ISO 16069:2017
For the same performance of luminous material, the observation distance for visibility of emergency
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exit door marking is longer than the4306e2bfc8e1/iso-16069-2017
distance for identification of the escape route sign at the exit door.
In conditions of smoke on the emergency exit path, the light from luminous way guidance components
is attenuated exponentially with smoke density and light is scattered producing a luminous veil. As
the smoke density increases, an emergency exit door may no longer be visible but the guidance lines
and escape route signs in short distance from the evacuee can be visible to direct evacuees towards an
emergency exit door. In smoke conditions evacuees may bend forward or crawl, reducing their speed of
movement and increasing the evacuation time to a safe area.
The technical design of the different luminous safety way guidance systems is discussed in Clause 6 for
electrically powered systems and in Clause 7 for phosphorescent systems.
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 a final point of the escape route and shall preferably be a
complete delineation of the boundaries of the escape route.
NOTE 1 Four dots or chevrons per linear metre with diameter of at least 100 mm can be accepted as
continuous line.

NOTE 2 The final point of the escape route can be inside or outside the building, depending on the evacuation
strategy.

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5.1.3 Visual reinforcement

Escape route signs shall be placed at intervals sufficient to provide consistency and continuity of
information.
The frequency and visual reinforcement of escape route signs at intermediate and low location shall be
determined by the risk assessment.
Escape route signs positioned at low location shall be close to the way guidance lines or be incorporated
in the guidance line, Wherever practical, escape route signs located at 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 of 10 m.
The height of the low location guidance lines shall be no higher than 300 mm from the floor, and lower
may be preferred.
Intermediate 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.
Escape route signs 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.
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The visual field between 1,20 m and 1,80 m on the walls of the escape route may be used for visually
(standards.iteh.ai)
reinforcing directional information for medium observation distances of approximately 10 m to 20 m.
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Final and intermediary destinations along the escape route such as exit doors on the route and
assembly/refuge areas/escape windows shall be given specific emphasis by using SWGS components.
Other doors shall not be marked.

5.1.6 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 escape route signs some
distance away from the equidistant point.

5.1.7 Dead ends

The frequency of escape route signs at any location shall be increased in dead end areas to progress
occupants away from the dead end towards the escape route.

5.1.8 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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5.1.9 Multi-level facilities

SWGS in multi-level facilities shall include a floor/level numbering and stair identification system on all
levels at each level adjacent to the access point and exit points within the stairwell.

5.2 Guidance lines

Guidance lines together with the luminous marking of the full frame of emergency exit doors are the
prime components of a SWGS.
Guidance lines shall be realized by line sources of different sizes and luminances or luminous intensities.
The guidance lines shall be as continuous as possible. No break shall exceed 0,2 m, unless there are
doors along the escape route, in which case the wall or floor guidance line may be interrupted with a
maximum break of 1 m or the lines shall be continued on the floor in front of the door. Door leafs shall
never be marked with a guidance line.
Wall guidance lines which are interrupted by intersecting corridors should be continued by using floor
lines or by continuing the guidance line on the opposite side of the corridor starting the guidance line
with directional signs.
The maximum height of low-located wall guidance lines above floor level shall be 300  mm. If a low-
located wall guidance line is interrupted, it may be continued at floor level for the duration of that
interruption.
An additional horizontal luminous line can be located on the wall at a height between 0,9 m and 1,1 m
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from the floor to show the configuration of the exit route.
(standards.iteh.ai)
It is preferable to provide both sides of the escape route with guidance lines. On escape routes up to 2 m
in width it may be sufficient to have only one guidance line. This line may be positioned either on the
floor or on the wall. ISO 16069:2017
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In rooms or open areas escape routes shall be marked on both sides with guidance lines or the guidance
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lines shall be used to define a travel path through that area.
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 Escape route signs

5.3.1 Design

SWGS designed to this document shall use the safety signs ISO 7010:2011, E001 or ISO 7010:2011, E002
for emergency exit together with the appropriate supplementary arrow type  D from ISO  3864-3 for
directional purposes (see Figure 1).
The escape route sign does not indicate the decisions or direction that should be made on the other side
of the door. Meanings of escape route signs are given in Figure 1 and Figure 2.
NOTE 1 The addition of supplementary text to a safety sign increases the size and can make the sign more
conspicuous.

The colour of escape route signs shall meet the colorimetric and photometric specifications of
ISO 3864-4 under its specified test conditions related to escape route signs being externally illuminated
or being internally illuminated by electrical power.
NOTE 2 ISO 3864-4 defines colour under certain test conditions and not all conditions of observation of safety
signs. Phosphorescent escape route signs during the luminance decay mode lack colour recognition of the green,
however they are designed such the luminance contrast enables the graphical symbols to be /remain identifiable.

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