ISO 16069-2017 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 16069-2017 — Graphical symbols — Safety signs — Safety way guidance systems (SWGS). This International Standard sets out principles for the design and application of visual components (signs, markings, guidance lines and related luminous elements) that together form a safety way guidance system to assist the safe evacuation of buildings and other occupancies.

Abstract

ISO 16069:2017 describes the principles governing the design and application of visual components used to create a Safety Way Guidance System (SWGS). It provides general principles applicable to both electrically powered and phosphorescent components and gives guidance on environment of use, material choice, layout, installation and maintenance of SWGS. The standard explicitly excludes risk assessment, detailed emergency escape route lighting design and tactile/audible components, and is not intended for ships regulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed in ISO systematic review).
• Publication date: November 2017.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 01.080.10, 01.080.20.
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2017-11).
• Number of pages: 39.

(General information above according to the ISO catalogue entry for ISO 16069:2017.)

Scope

ISO 16069:2017 specifies principles for planning, designing and applying the visual components of SWGS to provide consistent, coherent guidance for evacuating occupants to safety. It covers both electrically powered and phosphorescent (photoluminescent) components and addresses choices of material, layout, mounting locations, installation and maintenance. It does not require or perform risk assessment, does not cover tactile or audible components, and excludes high-mounted emergency escape lighting design; ships subject to IMO regulation are not covered by this standard.

Key topics and requirements

• Principles for designing escape route signs and guidance components to create an integrated SWGS (use of standardized safety symbols and directional arrows).
• Requirements and parameters for electrically powered components (layout, luminous intensity, power and installation considerations).
• Requirements and performance parameters for phosphorescent (photoluminescent) components (material performance, luminance decay expectations and suitable applications).
• Placement, mounting heights and spacing recommendations for low/intermediate and wall‑mounted guidance elements and escape route signs (including guidance-line intervals and sign spacing at critical points and junctions).
• Material selection, environmental and installation considerations, and maintenance/inspection guidance to retain system effectiveness.
• Interfaces with other graphic-safety standards (use of ISO 7010 symbols and ISO 3864 guidance for colours and arrows) and exclusions (risk assessment, tactile/audible devices, shipboard rules).

Typical use and users

Applied by safety planners, facility and building managers, architects, fire and life-safety engineers, signage and lighting manufacturers, installers of low-location guidance systems, and standards/technical committees developing harmonized signage schemes. It is used when specifying integrated escape-route marking systems for public buildings, industrial premises, theatres, transport hubs and similar occupancies.

Related standards

ISO 16069 works alongside and references other graphical-safety and lighting standards such as ISO 7010 (safety symbols), ISO 3864 (safety colours and application of arrows), and standards covering shipboard low-location lighting (e.g. ISO 15370 and relevant IMO resolutions) where the maritime regulations apply. Implementers commonly cross-reference ISO 7010 and the ISO 3864 series for symbol design and colour/contrast specifications.

Keywords

Safety way guidance system, SWGS, escape route, escape route sign, low-location lighting, photoluminescent, phosphorescent, safety symbols, ISO 16069, ISO 7010, guidance line, evacuation signage.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 16069:2017 is an international standard that defines the design and application principles for Safety Way Guidance Systems (SWGS) — integrated visual components that guide occupants to safety during evacuations.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the visual components (signs, guidance lines, luminous elements) used in SWGS for electrically powered and phosphorescent solutions, including layout, mounting, materials and maintenance; it does not perform risk assessment and excludes tactile/audible components and IMO‑regulated shipboard cases.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Building owners, facility and safety managers, architects, fire/life-safety engineers, signage and lighting manufacturers, installers of photoluminescent or electrically lit guidance systems, and standards developers.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2017 edition (Edition 2) is published and was reviewed and confirmed by ISO in 2023, so the 2017 version remains the current edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It belongs to the family of ISO graphical‑symbol and safety‑sign standards and is intended to be used in coordination with standards such as ISO 7010 (safety symbols) and ISO 3864 (safety colours and application). For shipboard low‑location lighting and related maritime requirements, other standards and IMO resolutions are applicable.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Safety way guidance system, escape route sign, photoluminescent, phosphorescent, guidance line, ISO 7010, ISO 3864, evacuation signage.