ISO 23601:2020

FINAL
INTERNATIONAL ISO/FDIS
DRAFT
STANDARD 23601
ISO/TC 145/SC 2
Safety identification — Escape and
Secretariat: DIN
evacuation plan signs
Voting begins on:
2020­07­17
Identification de sécurité — Plans d'évacuation et de secours
Voting terminates on:
2020­09­11
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO
SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION
OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH
THEY ARE AWARE AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING
DOCUMENTATION.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
Reference number
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO­
ISO/FDIS 23601:2020(E)
LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES,
DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON
OCCASION HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE
LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL TO BECOME STAN­
DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
©
NATIONAL REGULATIONS. ISO 2020

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ISO/FDIS 23601:2020(E)

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© ISO 2020
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ISO/FDIS 23601:2020(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 General . 2
5 Design requirements . 2
6 Size of plan elements . 3
7 Contents and representation . 4
7.1 Header . 4
7.2 Overview plan . 4
7.3 Escape plan detail . 4
7.4 Safety notices . 5
7.5 Legend . 5
7.6 Other information . 5
7.7 Use of colours . 6
7.7.1 Escape routes . 6
7.7.2 Safety signs . 6
7.7.3 Point of location of the user . 6
7.7.4 Background colour . 6
7.7.5 Outline of facility structural elements . 6
7.7.6 Header . 6
7.7.7 Text . 6
8 Materials . 6
9 Installation and location . 6
10 Inspection and revision . 7
Annex A (informative) Examples of escape plans . 8
Bibliography .13
© ISO 2020 – All rights reserved iii

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ISO/FDIS 23601:2020(E)

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 non­governmental, 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 of 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
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www .iso .org/
iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 145, Graphical symbols, Subcommittee
SC 2, Safety identification, signs, shapes, symbols and colours.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 23601:2009), of which it constitutes a
minor revision. The previous edition has been editorially revised.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
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ISO/FDIS 23601:2020(E)

Introduction
There is a need to standardize a system of communicating escape routes in facilities that relies as little
as possible on the use of words to achieve understanding.
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 this document is expected to reduce risk by providing a means of improved training and
education and to reduce possible confusion in times of emergency.
Through the use of ISO 7010 safety signs, colour coding and specific design requirements, this document
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 and
adjacent to escape routes.
Escape plans are an integral part of a facility’s system of safety signs and play an integral role in a
building owner’s fire safety management plan. Escape plans are a necessary component of a facility’s
safety way guidance system (see ISO 16069).
NOTE Some countries’ statutory regulations might differ in some respect from those given in this document.
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FINAL DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/FDIS 23601:2020(E)
Safety identification — Escape and evacuation plan signs
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 establishes design principles for displayed escape plans that contain information
relevant to fire safety, escape, evacuation and rescue of the facility's occupants. These plans may also
be used by intervention forces in case of emergency.
These plans are intended to be displayed as signs in public areas and workplaces.
This document is not intended to cover the plans to be used by external safety services nor detailed
professional technical drawings for use by specialists.
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 3864­1, Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Part 1: Design principles for safety
signs and safety markings
ISO 3864­3, Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Part 3: Design principles for graphical
symbols for use in safety signs
ISO 3864­4:2011, Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Part 4: Colorimetric and
photometric properties of safety sign materials
ISO 7010, Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Registered safety signs
ISO 17398, Safety colours and safety signs — Classification, performance and durability of safety signs
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 https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
emergency safety notice
instructions for occupants, to be followed in case of emergency
3.2
escape plan
...