MS ISO/IEC TR 10037 : 1995

MALAYSIAN
STANDARD
MS 982 : 1985
ICS : 13.320

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SPECIFICATION FOR
FIRE SAFETY SIGNS, NOTICES
AND GRAPHIC SYMBOLS
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STANDARDS & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF MALAYSIA

© Copyright
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© SIRIM. No part of this publication may be photocopied or otherwise reproduced

MS 982:1985

CONTENTS
Page

Committee representation 3
Foreword 4

1 Scope 5

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2 Definitions 5

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3 Classification of fire safety signs 5
4 Standard wording 6
5 Standard shapes 6

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6 Standard colours 9
7 Standard safety symbols 10
8 Standard lettering layout and sizes 10
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Figures
1 Examples of fire safety signs illustrating the standard shape and colours
pattern for each class 14
2 Examples of circular and triangular signs when the wording is too lengthy to fit inside
the shape 14
3 Example of a sign where the standard symbol is used alone or in conjunction with
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the standard wording 15

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4 The standard arrow 15

Tables
1 Warning signs 6
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2 Obligation signs 7
3 Prohibition signs 8
4 Fire equipment signs 8
5 Emergency signs (concerning escape routes) 9
6 Symbols for fire safety signs 11
7 Contrast colours 12
8 Letter height for exit and directional signs 12
9 Directional signs 13

Appendix A Recommendations for choice of materials, fixing and use 13

 MS 982 : 1985

Committee representation

The Mechanicai Engineering Industry Standards Committee under whose supervision this Malaysian Standard was prepared. comprises
representatives from the following Government Ministries, trade, commerce and manufacturer associations and scientific and professional bodies.

Association of Consulting Engineers (Malaysia)

Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers

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Institution of Engineers. Malaysia

Malaysian Motor Vehicle Assemblers Association

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Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Labour and Manpower (Factories and Machinery Department)

Ministry of Trade and Industry (Malaysian industrial Development Authority)

Ministry of works and Utilities (Public Works Department)

National Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia

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University of Malaya

The Technical Committee on Fire Prevention. Protection and Equipment which prepared this Malaysian Standard consists of the following
representatives:
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Encik M. Chelliah (Chairman) Ministry of Housing and Locaf Government
)Fire Service Department)

Encik Zainal Abidin bin Muhammad/ General Insurance Association of Malaysia

Encik Cheng Eng Kit

Encik Ng Lam Shen Association of Consulting Engineers

Encik Jon Song/ Master Builders Association

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Encik Ooi BengSiew

Encik Lam Kow Chit Public Works Department

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Dr. Tso Chih Ping University of Malaya

Encik Ahmad Fauzi H&,san Factories and Machinery Department

Encik Henry Lee Inn Seong/ Malaysian Institute of Architects

Encik Loh Aik Eng
Encik P. Sivakumaran Malaysian Industrial Safety Association
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Mejar Udara Abdul wahab bin Mohd Ibrahim M~nistryof Defence

Encik K. Sivagnanarn (Secretary) Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia

(up to 16 May. 1984)
Encik Ng Chon Kiong (Secretary)
(from 18 December. 1984)
MS 982: 1985

FOREWORD

This Ma)aysian Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Fire Prevention. Protection arid Equipment
under the authority of the Mechanica) Engineering Industry Standards Committee. This standard attempts to

standardize on fire safety sgns for purposes of familiarization by everyone so that in the event of fire, the risk to
persons from fire would be considerably reduced. This standard does not seek to stipulatewhen fire safety signs are

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required but only which signs to adoptwhen a requirement has been established. It specifies the shapes. the co)our

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patterns, the lettering and format for the signs, and notices which may be necessary, bearing in mind the need for

legibility in what might be conditions of stress.

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The emphasis of the standard is more on symbols rather than words as It ~5 felt that the meanings conveyed by
symbols can better surmount language barrIers. Other advantages are that symbols make quicker impact and

occupy less space than wordings. Due care was taken to see that the adoption of graphic symbols was in alignment
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with universal or internationa) acceptance.,

In the preparation ofthisstandard referencewas madeto BS 5499: Part 1: 1978, ‘Specificationforfiresafetvsigns’.

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