A new ISO standard will help to ensure that when fire breaks out in a building, occupants trying to evacuate the premises are not left scratching their heads trying to understand escape plans and signs.

ISO 23601:2009, Safety identification – Escape and evacuation plan signs, establishes design principles for displayed escape plans that provide information vital to fire safety, escape, evacuation and rescue of a facility's occupants.

The purpose of escape plans is to help people orient themselves in relation to the planned escape route. In this way, the escape plan complements the facility's safety exit guidance system. These plans, which may be displayed as signs in work places and in public areas, may also be used by fire, rescue and medical teams, as well as by intervention forces in the case of terrorist attack.

The standard has been developed because there is a need to harmonize on an international scale a system of communicating escape routes in facilities that relies as little as possible on the use of words to get the message through. With an increasingly mobile world population and ever-greater opportunities for international trade, graphical symbols are an essential tool for concisely conveying messages to users independently of language. Where safety signs are concerned, ease and speed of recognition are vital to help save people from injury and death.

ISO 23601 is based on the safety signs, colour codes and design requirements of ISO 7010:2003, Graphical symbols – Safety colours and safety signs – Safety signs. It establishes a common method of illustrating the position of the viewer in relation to designated escape routes leading to emergency exits and the location of fire safety and emergency equipment close to escape routes. It covers the following:

• Design requirements
• Size of plan elements
• Content and representation
• Materials
• Installation and location
• Inspection and revision.

Continued growth in international trade, travel and mobility of labour requires a common method of conveying this important safety information to the occupants of facilities. The use of ISO 23601:2009 is expected to reduce risk by providing a means of improved training and education and to reduce possible confusion in times of emergency.