Evacuation signs - marking the escape route in accordance with current standards

Every public use building or workplace must have an escape route. It is the one that leads to the exit in a situation of danger to human health and life, such as during a fire outbreak. Such a road must be properly marked, for which special safety signs are designed. This duty belongs to the owner or manager of the building.

Distinctive appearance of evacuation signs

Evacuation signs must not be confused with any others. They have a very distinctive and consistent appearance, which is defined by the PN-92/N-01256-02 standard. These are green plates in a rectangular or square shape depending on the sign. White pictograms are placed on them, also in white color is the border. Sometimes, instead of a pictogram, there is an inscription on the sign, such as. EMERGENCY EXIT, which is also white.

The bright elements are made using photoluminescent technology, which means they are visible in the dark and with limited natural and artificial light sources. This is very important because in many cases, such as during a fire, the power source is cut off. Escape route signage must even, and perhaps especially then, also be highly visible.

Marking the escape route in accordance with current standards

The escape route must be marked according to specific standards. However, there are changes in them, they are updated, which forces the building owners to replace the signage. Currently, the appearance of evacuation signs is the responsibility of the PN-92/N-01256-02 standard. However, it is best to choose signs that are created based on the PN-EN ISO 7010 standard. This is an international standard, so such labeling, by definition, is meant to be understood by everyone, no matter what country they come from. Signs alone are not used on such signs. Most often it is a pictogram, such as. EMERGENCY EXIT LEFT, DIRECTION OF ESCAPE ROUTE i COLLECTION POINT FOR EVACUATION. If the writing is already on the sign, it is along with a pictogram, such as. EMERGENCY EXIT TO THE RIGHT .

In addition to the basic evacuation signs, there are supplementary signs to convey additional, but also important, information about the emergency exit. These include m.in. WARNING PROGRESS whether EMERGENCY EXIT FOR THE DISABLED TO THE RIGHT.

How to arrange evacuation signs so they are clearly visible?

First of all, evacuation signs must be placed in a conspicuous place. Also important is their size, which is closely related to the distance from which the sign is to be well recognized. We choose the size based on a very easy mathematical equation:

H=D/Z

Where:

H - the size of the sign (its shorter side)

D - the maximum distance from which the sign is to be visible

Z - distance factor: for signs illuminated from the front surface is 100, and for signs illuminated from behind is 200

Evacuation signs are mounted at a height of approx. 150-160 cm from the ground. Whenever possible, mount the sign perpendicular to the direction in which people are moving. In order for the signs to be visible in the dark, they must first be properly illuminated. So they are placed in such a place where they have at least some access to artificial or natural light for a while.

Proper marking of the escape route significantly affects the level of safety in facilities and buildings. Moreover, it is required by law. Thus, failure to comply with the general rules for marking emergency exits both results in endangering the health and lives of people, as well as legal liability.