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 BRITISH STANDARD BS 1635:1990

Recommendations for

Graphic symbols and

abbreviations for fire
protection drawings
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UDC [003.083 + 003.62]:744.1:614.84:699.81

 BS 1635:1990

Committees responsible for this

British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Fire Standards
Policy Committee (FSM/-) to Technical Committee FSM/11, upon which the
following bodies were represented:

Association of British Theatre Technicians

Association of Manufacturers Allied to the Electrical and Electronic Industry
(BEAMA Ltd)
Bingo Association of Great Britain
British Entertainments and Dance Hall Association
British Sign Association
Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers’ Association
Cinema Exhibitors’ Association
Department of Health
Department of the Environment (Property Services Agency)
Department of the Environment (Building Research Establishment)
Fire Extinguishing Trades Association
Fire Fighting Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association
Guild of Architectural Ironmongers
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Home Office
Lighting Industry Federation Ltd.
London Fire and Civil Defence Authority
Loss Prevention Council
Ministry of Defence
National Radiological Protection Board
Royal Institute of British Architects

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Fire Standards
Policy Committee, was
published under the
authority of the Board
of BSI and comes
into effect on
31 July 1990

© BSI 03-2000
Amendments issued since publication
First published March 1950
Second edition May 1970 Amd. No. Date of issue Comments
Third edition July 1990

The following BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference FSM/11
Draft for comment 88/38617 DC

ISBN 0 580 18409 9

 BS 1635:1990

Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
Foreword ii
Section 1. General
1 Scope 1
2 Definitions 1
3 Rationale 1
4 Design and use of symbolism 2
5 Presentation of the compendium 3
Appendix A Example of fire protection drawing 20
Figure 1 — Example of symbols/elements and constructed symbols 2
Figure 2 — Comparison between representation, simplified
representation and symbol 4
Figure 3 — Formation of symbols from elements, conventions, symbols
and simplified representations 4
Figure 4 — Example of fire protection drawing 20
Section 2. Compendium
Group 1. Information devices
Table 1.1 — Convention for indicating zones 5
Group 2. Fire extinguishing devices
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Table 2.1 — Portable and transportable equipment 6

Table 2.2 — Fixed systems 7
Group 3. Fire fighting devices
Table 3.1 — Fire fighting equipment 8
Group 4. Fire alarm devices
Table 4.1 — Control and indicating equipment 9
Table 4.2 — Initiating equipment 10
Table 4.3 — Warning equipment 11
Group 5. Means of escape
Table 5.1 — Routes 12
Group 6. Risk areas
Table 6.1 — Fire and explosion 13
Group 7. Fire precautions
Table 7.1 — Building elements 14
Group 8. Emergency lighting
Table 8.1 — Luminaires 16
Group 9. Fire safety signs
Table 9.1 — Descriptions 17
Group 10. Smoke control
Table 10.1 — Venting and pressurization 19
Publications referred to Inside back cover

© BSI 03-2000 i
 BS 1635:1990

Foreword

This British Standard has been prepared under the direction of the
Fire Standards Policy Committee. It supersedes BS 1635:1970, which is
withdrawn. In its preparation, consideration has been given to ISO 6790
“Graphical symbols for fire protection plans”, published by the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO). The symbols agreed by ISO have been
used wherever possible, and additional information (Table 7, Table 8 and Table 9)
included as this was within the scope of the 1970 edition.
The opportunity has also been taken to change the format so that it conforms with
the style of BS 1192-3:1987.
Although based on the principles set out in ISO 6790, this British Standard
incorporates precedents that exist in British practice, particularly in the use of
qualifying or explanatory abbreviations, and adopts the rationale proposed in
BS 1192, and restated in this standard. Graphic conventions proposed by ISO or
other authorities that do not conform either to the stated rationale or to national
precedent have not been included. The symbols taken from ISO 6790 without
modification are noted with an asterisk.
The names given to symbols have wherever possible been derived from BS 4422
and the wording used in group 9, Fire safety signs, complies with BS 5499-1.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
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from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 20, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.

ii © BSI 03-2000
 BS 1635:1990

Section 1. General

1 Scope 2.6
symbol element (element)
This British Standard, which is primarily intended
for those preparing drawings, gives a graphic device without scale used only in
recommendations for symbols and other graphic combination with a symbol (or symbols) or with
conventions for use on drawings for fire protection other elements, to form a symbol
purposes.
The recommendations include the production of
3 Rationale
graphical symbols to be used on fire protection 3.1 Indication of all features of an object
drawings in architectural, engineering, building Although all the features of an object (subject to the
and allied design fields. Details are provided of limitations of the scale of the drawing) can be shown
equipment for fire protection, fire fighting and on a detailed pictorial view (a representation,
means of escape on drawings for design, see 2.3), there are usually other attributes of the
construction, renovation or fire certification object which need to be described, annotated or
purposes. referred to in other documents.
It also describes a rationale of symbolism (clause 3) 3.2 Limited indication of the features of an
which establishes rules for the design of symbols object
and other graphic conventions, and gives
recommendations for the application of those rules To reduce drawing effort and time, a pictorial view
and the ways in which symbolism should be used such as that described in 3.1 can sometimes, as
(clause 4). appropriate, be limited in detail (a simplified
representation, see 2.4) but can still need a
Appendix A gives an example (for information only)
description, annotation or reference.
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of a drawing using some of these symbols.

NOTE The titles of the publications referred to in this standard 3.3 Non-realistic indication of objects
are listed on the inside back cover. To reduce drawing effort and time still further for
an object of which the size is not significant on a
2 Definitions drawing, especially if many such objects occur, the
For the purposes of this British Standard the object can be indicated non-realistically by using a
definitions given in BS 1192-1, and BS 4422 apply, symbol (see 2.5).
together with the following definitions and 3.4 Symbols sharing common subsidiary
explanations which are taken from BS 1192-3. features
2.1 Some symbols share common subsidiary features;
convention this British Standard refers to these features as
an accepted way of drawing an item which may have elements (see 2.6). These can be incorporated in new
the nature of a representation, a simplified symbols, can be added to established symbols or can
representation or a symbol be combined with other elements as needed.
2.2 A symbol element should not be used in isolation.
information device 3.5 Types of symbol
a convention indicating an abstract item The simplest form of symbol is the basic symbol.
2.3 More complex types of symbol are derived from the
representation basic symbol. There are three ways of deriving
symbols:
a scale view of an object
a) by embellishment of a basic symbol;
2.4
simplified representation b) by a combination of basic symbols;
c) by extension of a basic symbol.
a scale view incorporating only the essential shape,
size or features of an object Figure 1 gives examples of symbols/elements and
constructed symbols.
2.5
symbol 3.6 Conventions showing abstract items
a graphic device without scale used: Conventions showing abstract items are referred to
as information devices (2.2).
a) on a drawing to indicate the occurrence and/or
location of an item;
b) in an annotation to indicate one or more of the
attributes of an item.

© BSI 03-2000 1
 BS 1635:1990

3.7 Comparison between representations, 4 Design and use of symbolism

simplified representations and symbols
4.1 Graphic simplicity
Figure 2 shows a comparison between
4.1.1 The amount of detail in representation should
representations, simplified representations and
be appropriate to the scale of the drawing, taking
symbols.
account of the recommendations of BS 1192-1
regarding clarity of reproduction and microfilming.
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NOTE The elements and symbols given in column 1 are shown in Table 8.1
Figure 1 — Examples of symbols/elements and constructed symbols

2 © BSI 03-2000
 BS 1635:1990

4.1.2 The amount of detail in a simplified c) if different line thicknesses are used, each
representation should be limited to the essential thickness should be at least twice the next
attributes of the object (see 2.4 and Figure 2). thinner line;
4.1.3 Geometric shapes for information devices, d) the space between lines should be not less
elements and symbols are limited. Precedent than 0.7 mm;
(see the introduction) can establish that one shape e) inclined lines should be at an angle of 15° or a
can have several meanings, the relevant meaning multiple of 15°;
being determined normally by context and
f) solidly filled areas should be kept to a minimum
experience.
(because they tend to disappear in successive
A geometric shape should not be used if its meaning reproductions): hatching is preferred;
is not determined by context and experience.
g) lettering (including numbers) should have a
4.1.4 Over-complexity of information devices, capital height of:
elements and symbols should be avoided by one of
1) not less than 2.5 mm for drawings as in a)
the following methods:
above;
a) omitting unnecessary information (for
2) not less than 3.5 mm for drawings as in b)
example, if all the items in a project are of the
above.
same type);
4.3.3 The orientation of an element should always
b) annotating differences between one item and
be as shown in section 2 (the compendium), but the
another;
orientation of other types of symbolism should not
c) referring differences to a schedule or other be regarded as affecting the meaning of the
document. symbolism concerned.
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4.2 Symbols (including elements of symbols) 4.4 Authority

4.2.1 The size of a symbol does not necessarily relate 4.4.1 Each drawing or set of drawings which uses
to the size of an object, nor to the scale of a drawing. symbolism drawn from this British Standard,
4.2.2 The shape of a symbol does not necessarily should include a statement to that effect in the
relate to the shape of an object. information panel of the drawing concerned.
4.2.3 A symbol does not necessarily indicate 4.4.2 Symbols derived from symbols in this
graphically all the attributes of an item standard should be illustrated and their meaning
(see 4.1.4 and Figure 3). should be clearly explained on the drawings
4.2.4 A symbol can be combined with an element or concerned. Care should be exercised to ensure that
a symbol to form another symbol. (See Figure 3.) derived symbols do not become over-complicated.
4.2.5 A symbol can be added to a convention, a 4.4.3 Where additional symbols are used to those
representation, a simplified representation or presented in this British Standard, e.g. from
another symbol. (See Figure 3.) BS 1553-1, BS 1192-3 or BS 3939-11, a statement to
that effect should be included in the information
4.3 Graphics panel of the drawing concerned, the symbol should
4.3.1 The illustrations in section 2 (the be illustrated and its meaning should be clearly
compendium) indicate the size of symbolism that explained on the drawing.
should typically be used on drawings to a scale
of 1 : 100. Account has been taken, in the light of 5 Presentation of the compendium
evaluation tests, of producing symbolism by:
5.1 General
a) manual drawing using a 0.35 mm pen,
Section 2 comprises a compendium of symbols and
including the manufacture of suitable templates
other graphic conventions that are recommended for
(stencils);
use on fire protection drawings. Examples of the
b) computer drawing; application of symbols are given as appropriate.
c) using dry transfer. The compendium is organized by subject area.
4.3.2 Graphic techniques should follow the 5.2 Background matrix
recommendations in BS 1192-1, and in particular:
5.2.1 Elements or symbols having significant
a) line thickness should be not less than 0.25 mm
relative sizes are illustrated against a matrix
on drawings to be reproduced without reduction
of 4 mm squares.
or to be microfilmed;
b) line thickness should be not less than 0.35 mm
on drawings to be reduced by up to 50 %;

© BSI 03-2000 3
 BS 1635:1990

5.2.2 The background to some elements and symbols 5.3.5 Elements and symbols originating in other
incorporates additional lines to indicate, as tables and used in a table are only listed in that
appropriate, how they should: table; they are illustrated in their tables of origin.
a) be drawn; 5.3.6 Applications illustrate examples of
b) relate to the context in which they occur. conventions and symbols in use, and are not
numbered.
5.3 Reference system
5.3.7 The numbers of the elements and symbols
5.3.1 Tables are grouped in broad categories in used in applications are listed.
groups, and the group number is the first digit of the
table number. 5.4 Arrangement of tables
5.3.2 The second digit of the table number identifies The contents of each table are arranged in the
that table within its group. following order:
5.3.3 Elements are numbered sequentially within a) elements;
their table of origin, with E interposed between the b) elements and symbols from other tables;
table number and the sequential number. c) conventions;
5.3.4 Conventions and symbols are numbered d) symbols;
sequentially (always with two digits) within their
e) simplified representations;
table of origin, the sequential number being suffixed
to the table number. f) applications.
NOTE Not every table includes all these contents.
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Figure 2 — Comparison between representation, simplified representation and symbol

Figure 3 — Formation of symbols from elements, conventions, symbols and simplified

representations

4 © BSI 03-2000
 BS 1635:1990

Section 2. Compendium

Group 1. Information devices

Table 1.1 — Convention for indicating zones
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© BSI 03-2000 5
 BS 1635:1990

Group 2. Fire extinguishing devices

Table 2.1 — Portable and transportable equipment
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6 © BSI 03-2000
 BS 1635:1990

Group 2. Fire extinguishing devices

Table 2.2 — Fixed systems
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© BSI 03-2000 7
 BS 1635:1990

Group 3. Fire fighting devices

Table 3.1 — Fire fighting equipment
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8 © BSI 03-2000
 BS 1635:1990

Group 4. Fire alarm devices

Table 4.1 — Control and indicating equipment
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© BSI 03-2000 9
 BS 1635:1990

Group 4. Fire alarm devices

Table 4.2 — Initiating equipment
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10 © BSI 03-2000
 BS 1635:1990

Group 4. Fire alarm devices

Table 4.3 — Warning equipment
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© BSI 03-2000 11
Licensed Copy: , University of Bath, 08 September 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

12
BS 1635:1990

Group 5. Means of escape

Table 5.1 — Routes

© BSI 03-2000
Licensed Copy: , University of Bath, 08 September 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

© BSI 03-2000
Group 6. Risk areas
Table 6.1 — Fire and explosion

13
BS 1635:1990
Licensed Copy: , University of Bath, 08 September 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

14
BS 1635:1990

Group 7. Fire precautions

Table 7.1 — Building elements

© BSI 03-2000
Licensed Copy: , University of Bath, 08 September 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

© BSI 03-2000
Group 7. Fire precautions
Table 7.1 — Building elements

15
BS 1635:1990
Licensed Copy: , University of Bath, 08 September 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

16
BS 1635:1990

Group 8. Emergency lighting

Table 8.1 — Luminaires

© BSI 03-2000
Licensed Copy: , University of Bath, 08 September 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

© BSI 03-2000
Group 9. Fire safety signs
Table 9.1 — Descriptions

17
BS 1635:1990
Licensed Copy: , University of Bath, 08 September 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

18
BS 1635:1990

Group 9. Fire safety signs

Table 9.1 — Descriptions

© BSI 03-2000
 BS 1635:1990

Group 10. Smoke control

Table 10.1 — Venting and pressurization
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© BSI 03-2000 19
 BS 1635:1990

Appendix A Example of fire protection drawing

Figure 4 gives an example of a fire protection drawing.
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Figure 4 — Example of fire protection drawing

20 © BSI 03-2000
 BS 1635:1990

Publications referred to

BS 1192, Construction drawing practice.

BS 1192-1, Recommendations for general principles.
BS 1192-3, Recommendations for symbols and other graphic conventions.
BS 1553, Specification for graphical symbols for general engineering.
BS 1553-1, Piping systems and plant.
BS 3939, Guide for graphical symbols for electrical power, telecommunications and electronics diagrams.
BS 3939-11, Architectural and topographical installation plans and diagrams.
BS 4422, Glossary of terms associated with fire.
BS 5499, Fire safety signs, notices and graphic symbols.
BS 5499-1, Specification for fire safety signs.
BS 5606, Code of practice for accuracy in building.
ISO 6790, Equipment for fire protection and fire fighting — Graphical symbols for fire protection plans —
Specification.
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© BSI 03-2000
 BS 1635:1990

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