ISO 3864-1:2011
Graphical symbols: Safety colours and safety signs, Part 1: Design principles for safety signs and safety markings.
ISO 3864-1 sets the design principles for safety signs and safety markings: the safety colours, the geometric shapes and how they combine to signal prohibition, warning, mandatory action and safe conditions. ISO 7010 signs are built on it, and Approved Document B cites it for exit signs.
For signage and wayfinding
What it asks of your signs
- 01Approved Document B Volume 2 asks for exit signs in accordance with BS ISO 3864-1 and BS 5499-4, so it is a named reference in England.
- 02It is the rulebook for any safety sign you need that is not in the ISO 7010 register, and for safety markings on floors and walls.
- 03The safety colours have fixed meanings. Keep red, yellow, blue and green out of decorative wayfinding where they could be read as a safety message.
- 04Pair it with ISO 7010 for the artwork and BS 5499-10 for selection and siting.
Scope
Part 1 establishes the safety identification colours and design principles for safety signs and safety markings used in workplaces and public areas, for accident prevention, fire protection, health hazard information and emergency evacuation. It also sets the basic principles other standards follow when they include safety signs. Like ISO 7010, it excludes signals for rail, road, river, maritime and air traffic.
The rest of the ISO 3864 family covers related ground: Part 3 sets the design principles for the graphical symbols themselves, which ISO 7010 cites alongside Part 1.
Where it is cited
In England, Approved Document B Volume 2 (paragraph 5.28) says every doorway or other exit giving access to a means of escape, other than exits in ordinary use such as main entrances, should be distinctively and conspicuously marked by an exit sign in accordance with BS ISO 3864-1 and BS 5499-4. BS 5499-10 gives guidance on safety signs that conform to BS ISO 3864-1 and BS EN ISO 7010. The geometric and colour system it describes is the same one written into the Safety Signs Directive and the UK and Irish regulations.
Status
ISO 3864-1:2011 is the second edition and replaced ISO 3864-1:2002. ISO last reviewed and confirmed it in 2022. BSI publishes it unchanged as BS ISO 3864-1:2011, listed as current.
Editions and history
ISO 3864-1:2002 was withdrawn when the 2011 second edition was published. Confirmed at systematic review in 2022.
Sources checked
- iso.org/standard/51021.html
- knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/graphical-symbols-safety-colours-and-safety-signs-design-principles-for-safety-signs-and-safety-markings
- knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/graphical-symbols-safety-colours-and-safety-signs-design-principles-for-safety-signs-and-safety-markings-1
- iso.org/standard/72424.html
- assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6aa3bb7492e72b8ac437f145/AD_B2_2026.pdf
- knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/guidance-for-the-selection-and-use-of-safety-signs-and-fire-safety-notices-1
A summary in our own words, checked on 16 October 2026. It is not the document itself and not legal advice.
Equivalents and related
The same ground, elsewhere.
- Graphical symbols: Safety colours and safety signs: Registered safety signsInternational
- Safety signs: Code of practice for escape route signingUK
- Guidance for the selection and use of safety signs and fire safety noticesUK
- Council Directive 92/58/EEC of 24 June 1992 on the minimum requirements for the provision of safety and/or health signs at workEurope
- The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996Great Britain · NI
- Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, Part 7 Chapter 1: Safety Signs at Places of WorkIreland
- Approved Document B: Fire safety, Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellingsEngland
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