ISO 24409-1:2020

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 24409-1
Second edition
2020-03
Ships and marine technology —
Design, location and use of shipboard
safety signs, fire control plan signs,
safety notices and safety markings —
Part 1:
Design principles
Navires et technologie maritime — Conception, emplacement et
utilisation des signaux de sécurité, signaux relatifs à la sécurité, notes
de sécurité et marquages de sécurité à bord des navires —
Partie 1: Principes de conception
Reference number
ISO 24409-1:2020(E)
©
ISO 2020

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ISO 24409-1:2020(E)

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© ISO 2020
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ISO 24409-1:2020(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Types and use of signs, markings and notices . 2
4.1 General . 2
4.2 Safety signs . 3
4.2.1 Means of escape signs (MES) — Escape route identification . 3
4.2.2 Emergency equipment signs (EES) — Use and location of first aid
facilities and portable safety equipment . 3
4.2.3 Life-saving systems and appliances signs (LSS) — Use and location of life-
saving systems and appliances . 3
4.2.4 Fire-fighting equipment signs (FES) — Use and location of fire-fighting
equipment . . . 3
4.2.5 Prohibition signs (PSS) — Prohibited actions . 3
4.2.6 Warning signs (WSS) — Identification of hazards . 3
4.2.7 Mandatory action signs (MSS) — Mandatory notices and instructions . 3
4.3 Fire control plan signs . 3
5 Design of shipboard safety signs . 3
5.1 General . 3
5.2 Safety messages. 4
5.3 Meaning, function, and image content . 4
5.4 Colour and geometric shape. 4
5.4.1 General. 4
5.4.2 Colour area of the safety sign . 5
5.5 Graphical symbols . 6
5.6 Combination of graphical symbols or graphical symbol elements . 6
5.7 Determinants . 6
5.8 Prohibition . 7
5.9 Borders . 7
5.10 Arrows . 7
6 Supplementary signs and combination signs . 8
6.1 General . 8
6.2 Combination signs. 8
6.3 Colour of supplementary signs . 8
6.4 Text for supplementary signs . 8
6.5 Types of supplementary signs . 8
7 Layout of combination signs .12
7.1 General .12
7.2 Borders .12
7.3 Arrangements .12
8 Multiple signs .13
9 Use of arrows .14
10 Fire control plan signs .15
11 Safety markings .16
12 Illumination and contrast of safety signs and fire control plan signs .16
13 Durability and photometric performance of signs .17
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ISO 24409-1:2020(E)

14 Marking of signs .17
Bibliography .18
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ISO 24409-1:2020(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 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 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 8, Ships and marine technology,
Subcommittee SC 1, Maritime safety.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 24409-1:2010), which has been
technically revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— addition of the definition and use of “fire control plan sign”;
— deletion of references to “mimic signs”;
— updated graphics from ISO 7010; and
— updated graphics from ISO 24409-2.
A list of all parts in the ISO 24409 series can be found on the ISO website.
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 24409-1:2020(E)

Introduction
The growth of international travel by ship has created a need to provide people travelling and working
on board ships with signs and associated systems that communicate consistent and effective safety
information. The ISO 24409 series specifies a system of safety and fire control plan signs on ships and
other marine installations that is generally consistent with standardized signs with which many will
have gained familiarity in other applications.
As such, the ISO 24409 series clarifies and supplements existing requirements set out in SOLAS
regulations II-2/13.3.2.5.1, III/9.2.3 and III/11.5, and in ISO 17631. However, it is directly applicable to
shipboard safety and fire control plan signs only, and does not deal with graphical symbols to be used
on shipboard plans or documentation used for professionals.
This document spells out general design principles applicable to all types of shipboard safety and
fire control plan signs. Specific signs are catalogued in ISO 24409-2, and their application on ships is
specified in ISO 24409-3. Shipboard plans for general emergency information will be specified in a
1)
future part in the ISO 24409 series.
1) Planned for future work: ISO 24409-4, Ships and marine technology — Design, location and use of shipboard
safety signs, safety-related signs, safety notices and safety markings — Part 4: Shipboard plans for general emergency
information.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 24409-1:2020(E)
Ships and marine technology — Design, location and use
of shipboard safety signs, fire control plan signs, safety
notices and safety markings —
Part 1:
Design principles
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 specifies general design principles for shipboard safety signs, fire control plan signs,
markings and notices intended to communicate safety-related information to persons on board ships.
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 3864-3:2012, Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Part 3: Design principles for
graphical symbols for use in safety signs
ISO 3864-4, 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 15370, Ships and marine technology — Low-location lighting (LLL) on passenger ships — Arrangement
ISO 17398, Safety colours and safety signs — Classification, performance and durability of safety signs
ISO 17724, Graphical symbols — Vocabulary
IMO, International Safety Management (ISM) Code
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 17724 and the following 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/
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ISO 24409-1:2020(E)

3.1
determinant
graphical symbol (3.3) used as a common element within a series of graphical symbols
EXAMPLE Flames for a fire safety sign (3.7).
3.2
fire control plan sign
sign for specialists, used to identify and locate fire control equipment, not designed according to the
rules for safety signs (3.7)
Note 1 to entry: These signs are related to the symbols in ISO 17631; see 4.3 below.
3.3
graphical symbol
visually perceptible figure with a particular meaning used to transmit information independently of
language
3.4
photoluminescent sign
sign treated with material incorporating phosphors that, if excited by UV or visible radiation, stores
energy, which is emitted as light over a period of time
Note 1 to entry: The term “photoluminescent sign” is used in this document for consistency with terminology
used in International Maritime Organization (IMO) publications. It has the same meaning as “phosphorescent
safety sign” in ISO 3864-4.
3.5
safety marking
marking which adopts the use of safety colours and/or safety contrast colours to convey a safety
message or to render an object or location conspicuous
3.6
safety notice
sign with written text containing a list of actions to be taken or instructions to be followed in an
emergency or for the correct use of equipment
3.7
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 (3.3), gives a particular safety message
3.8
supplementary sign
sign that is supportive of another sign and the main purpose of which is to provide additional
clarification
4 Types and use of signs, markings and notices
4.1 General
Shipboard safety signs and fire control plan signs are intended to communicate safety information to
passengers, visitors, associated crew and to specialized, trained personnel. The design requirements
may differ as a function of the education of the intended audience. However, the objective is that all such
signs use similar basic design principles to those in International Standards for safety signs in other
public areas and workplaces. The design criteria for specific signs differ according to the type of the
sign and the specific context of use. The various categories of signs are described in 4.2.1 to 4.2.7, and in
4.3. Individual signs in these categories are catalogued in ISO 24409-2.
NOTE The three-letter code following each subclause title relates to the nomenclature in ISO 24409-2.
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ISO 24409-1:2020(E)

4.2 Safety signs
4.2.1 Means of escape signs (MES) — Escape route identification
Means of escape signs are safe condition signs used to indicate location within the ship and to provide
directional guidance from any area within the ship to a designated assembly station and/or to exits and
survival craft embarkation stations.
4.2.2 Emergency equipment signs (EES) — Use and location of first aid facilities and portable
safety equipment
Emergency equipment signs are used to indicate the exact location of first aid facilities, first aid equipment,
or portable safety equipment, the type of facility or equipment and any instructions for its use.
4.2.3 Life-saving systems and appliances signs (LSS) — Use and location of life-saving systems
and appliances
Life-saving systems and appliances signs are used to indicate the exact location or storage of the
life-saving equipment, the type of equipment, the identification number and any instructions for its
correct use.
4.2.4 Fire-fighting equipment signs (FES) — Use and location of fire-fighting equipment
Fire-fighting equipment signs are used to indicate the exact location of the fire-fighting equipment, the
type of equipment and any instructions for its effective and safe use.
4.2.5 Prohibition signs (PSS) — Prohibited actions
Prohibition signs are used to restrict or prohibit the movement and actions of persons.
4.2.6 Warning signs (WSS) — Identification of hazards
Warning signs are used to warn persons of possible dangerous conditions and hazards and risks that
exist on board a ship.
4.2.7 Mandatory action signs (MSS) — Mandatory notices and instructions
Mandatory action signs are used to instruct persons of a specific course of action that shall be followed.
4.3 Fire control plan signs
Fire control plan signs (FCS) are used to provide specific information to qualified shipboard and outside
personnel on the use of specialized safety and fire protection equipment on board ship. See Clause 10
for further requirements.
5 Design of shipboard safety signs
5.1 General
5.1.1 Shipboard safety signs shall communicate the intended safety information by the use of one
or more of the principles described in 5.2 to 5.10. Designers shall combine these principles to give the
essential details of the specific safety message needed according to the type of safety sign required.
5.1.2 The colour and shape used for safety signs shall comply with ISO 3864-1 and the safety sign shall
meet the design criteria of ISO 3864-3.
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ISO 24409-1:2020(E)

5.1.3 Safety signs that are required to convey specific safety meanings on board ship shall be taken
from ISO 24409-2. In cases where a needed safety message is not covered by safety signs in ISO 24409-2,
designers shall check safety sign catalogues from ISO, such as ISO 7010, for the existence of appropriate
signs or symbols before designing a new safety sign.
NOTE Designers of new safety signs are encouraged to seek their inclusion in ISO 7010 by application to
ISO/TC 145/SC 2.
5.2 Safety messages
A safety sign shall be used to convey only one safety message as follows:
a) a prohibition sign shall indicate only what or who is prohibited;
b) a mandatory sign shall indicate only what action is required;
c) a warning sign shall indicate only the nature of the warning;
d) a sign for means of escape, emergency equipment, and life-saving systems and appliances shall
indicate only the safety action, the location of the equipment and appliances, or the first aid facility,
or escape possibilities and routes; or
e) a fire-fighting equipment sign shall indicate only the location of the fire-fighting equipment and the
type of fire-fighting equipment.
5.3 Meaning, function, and image content
In keeping with the design principles of ISO 3864-3, a safety sign shall be assigned a meaning and a
function, and the image content of a graphical symbol used in it shall include sufficient critical details to
ensure that the meaning and function are unambiguous (see Figure 1).

Referent — Shipboard assembly station
Function — To indicate the location of an assembly station on board ship
Image content — Five human figures in different sizes standing on a square, four arrows coming from
the corners pointing to them
Figure 1 — Example of assignment of meaning to a safety sign (ISO 7010-E032)
5.4 Colour and geometric shape
5.4.1 General
Shipboard safety signs shall be designed using the safety colours, geometric shapes, and specific safety
meanings as specified in ISO 3864-1 and as illustrated in Table 1.
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ISO 24409-1:2020(E)

Table 1 — Geometric shapes, safety colours and contrast colours for safety signs
Safety Contrast Graphical
a
Geometric shape Meaning Examples of use
colour colour symbol colour
A circle with
a diagonal bar
Prohibition Red White Black
No eating or drinking
ISO 7010-P022
A circle
Mandatory
Blue White White
action
Release falls in
launch sequence
ISO 7010-M042
An equilateral tri-
angle with radiused
outer corners
Warning Yellow Black Black
Warning; Drop (fall)
ISO 7010-W008
A rectangle
(square or oblong)
Safe
Green White White
condition
Lifebuoy with line
ISO 7010-E041
A rectangle
(square or oblong)
Fire-fighting
Red White White
equipment
Fire monitor
ISO 7010-F015
a
The dotted line represents the exclusion zone outside of which graphical symbols shall not reside. See ISO 3864-3.
5.4.2 Colour area of the safety sign
With the exception of prohibition signs, graphical symbols and contrast colours shall be of such
dimensions that the safety colour remains the predominant colour of the sign. For this purpose,
explanatory text should be considered to be part of the safety colour as described in 6.3. For prohibition
signs, the safety colour red shall constitute at least 35 % of the area of the sign.
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ISO 24409-1:2020(E)

5.5 Graphical symbols
5.5.1 Graphical symbols shall be designed in accordance with ISO 3864-3. The design of a graphical
symbol should:
a) be simple in order to facilitate comprehension and reproduction;
b) be readily associated with its intended meaning;
c) be based on objects, concepts, activities, etc., or a combination of these, which are reliably
identifiable by the target audience;
d) be easily distinguishable from other graphical symbols;
e) contain only those details that contribute to understanding; and
f) take into account the possibility of negation.
5.5.2 Graphical symbols on safety signs shall generally be consistent with the corresponding graphical
symbols appearing on safety instructions, notices and plans, except for those graphical symbols
specifically for the use of specialist, trained crew members, professional fire fighters, or safety or medical
personnel. Graphical symbols shall be designed such that they can be sized appropriately to ensure
legibility is maintained for the safety sign at the required observation distance. After design of the new
graphical symbol, it is strongly recommended that an evaluation be carried out of the comprehensibility
of the safety sign in the context in which it is to be used, in accordance with ISO 9186-1. The graphical
symbol should then be modified if necessary to improve comprehensibility.
5.6 Combination of graphical symbols or graphical symbol elements
If two or more graphical symbols or graphical symbol elements are combined to form a new graphical
symbol, the meaning assigned to the new graphical symbol shall be consistent with the meanings
of the individual graphical symbols or graphical symbol elements used (see Figure 2). The new
graphical symbol should consist of as few component elements as possible and the meaning should be
unambiguous. Safety signs in which two or more graphical symbols or graphical symbol elements have
been combined to produce a new graphical symbol shall be considered as new safety signs.
NOTE Examples of the combination of graphical symbols to form a new graphical symbol are graphical
symbols that include a determinant (see 5.7 and Figures 2 and 3).

Referent — Eyewash station, ISO 24409-2 EES003 (ISO 7010-E011)
Function — To indicate the location of an eyewash station
Image content — Eye above running water coming out of a shower head, first aid cross determinant
Figure 2 — Example of multiple graphical symbols and a determinant
5.7 Determinants
Determinants may optionally be used in combination with other graphical symbols to improve the
comprehension of a safety sign, in accordance with ISO 3864-3. Any existing determinant shall be used
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ISO 24409-1:2020(E)

without modification of its meaning. Examples of determinants are shown in Figure 3, and examples of
the use of a determinant are shown in Figures 2 and 4.
NOTE Determinants can be particularly useful for signs intended to be understood by untrained persons.

Figure 3 — Examples of determinants

Referent — Wheeled fire extinguisher, Referent — Stretcher, ISO 24409-2 EES005
ISO 24409-2 FES006 (ISO 7010-F009) (ISO 7010-E013)
Function — To indicate the location of a Function — To indicate the location of a
wheeled fire extinguisher stretcher
Image content — Bottle on wheeled cart Image content — Human figure on a stretcher,
(profile), flame determinant first aid cross determinant
Figure 4 — Examples of safety signs using determinants
5.8 Prohibition
5.8.1 Prohibition shall be indicated only by use of a prohibition sign with a negation bar. No other form
of negation shall be used. In particular, crosses shall not be placed over graphical symbol e
...