Facts and data on pictograms
Synonyms / Other Terms Used
Foam Extinguisher, Dry Powder Extinguisher, Handheld Extinguisher, Extinguisher
Categories
Safety Signs, Regulations, Fire Equipment
Message / Function
To indicate the location of a fire extinguisher and/or to identify a fire extinguisher
| Source | Description | |
|---|---|---|
 |
ISO 7010 | Cylinder fire extinguisher with label and tap adjacent to flames |
 |
HSSS | Cylinder fire extinguisher with flared nozzle above flames |
 |
ÖBB 2007 | Cylinder fire extinguisher with label and tap adjacent to flames |
 |
UIC 413 b | Cylinder fire extinguisher plus extinguishing jet penetrating flames |
 |
ISO 7010 | Bottle on wheeled cart (profile), flame determinant |
 |
Dreyfuss | Cylinder fire extinguisher with label and flared nozzle pointing downwards |
 |
Eco-Mo Foundation |
Cylinder fire extinguisher with hose |
 |
Ultimate Symbol | Cylinder fire extinguisher with hose |
 |
EJP | Cylinder fire extinguisher with hose |
 |
Collins 82 | Cylinder fire extinguisher with hose |
 |
Smitshuijzen | Cylinder fire extinguisher with hose, all slanted |
 |
KennV | Cylinder fire extinguisher with handle and hose |
 |
AIGA | Cylinder fire extinguisher with flared nozzle |
 |
PANYNJ | Cylinder fire extinguisher with flared nozzle |
 |
92/58/EEC | Cylinder fire extinguisher with tap |
 |
Lanit | Cylinder fire extinguisher with flared nozzle, all in outline |
 |
Mater Dei | Cylinder fire extinguisher in outline |
 |
Swiss Post | Red F and cylinder fire extinguisher with flared nozzle |
 |
Switzerland | F on red ground |
Discussion
In many countries signs used to indicate the location of a fire extinguisher and all other fire fighting related signs are presented in white color on a red background, but in some also on a green background, and a few applications even exist in brown. Testing of symbols or pictograms also not consistently happened in black and white or white on red ground, so data cannot be compared without carefully regarding testing conditions. And furthermore for example data regarding safety signs available from the Eco-Mo Foundation (2001) is based on a multiple choice format with only four possible choices and completely unreasonable distractors. Under such conditions results with correct responses close to 100 % are to be expected, even if the symbol used is far from perfect.
Brugger (1999) examined six pictogram variants using the Comprehensibility Estimation method. In this study conducted in Austria with stimuli presented in black and white, symbol No 014 of ISO 7001 (now No. F001 of ISO 7010) was judged as most comprehensible symbol. All other variants reached significantly lower estimates. Some subjects noted that the lowest scoring pictogram (labeled as KennV) might be confounded with other kinds of containers such as a siphon-bottle.
These findings confirm the results of the ISO test-series of the years 1979/80 (Easterby & Graydon, 1981), where a variant of a fire extinguishers with flames achieved the best ranking and also was understood better than all other variants.
In research limited to safety signs mainly among blue collar industrial workers, most renderings of a cylinder fire extinguisher examined were well understood (e.g. Collins et.al, 1979, 1982, Collins, 1983, Lerner & Collins, 1980, Olgyay, 1996).
In some countries the use of the letter F is or was obligatory to indicate the location of a fire extinguisher or other fire fighting equipment. This does not make sense from a cross-cultural point of view.
Recommendation
Based on the test results known, pictogram Reference No F001 of ISO 7010 (formerly No 014 of ISO 7001) should be used to signify the location of a fire extinguisher.
Tests of pictograms for the referent Fire Extinguisher
Brugger: Ch. (1999): Verständnisschätzungen - Projekt 1999. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute dated December 1999.
Collins, B.L. (1983): Use of Hazard Pictorials/Symbols in the Mineral Industry. Washington, D.C.: National Bureau of Standards, NBSIR 83-2732, September 1983.
Collins, B.L. & Pierman, B.C. (1979): Evaluation of Safety Symbols. Washington, D.C.: National Bureau of Standards, NBSIR 79-1760, June 1979.
Easterby, R.S. & Graydon, I.R. (1981): Evaluation of Public Information Symbols: ISO Test: 1979/80 Series. Part I: Appropriateness Ranking Tests. AP Report 99, Applied Psychology Department, University of Aston in Birmingham, January 1981.
Easterby, R.S. & Graydon, I.R. (1981): Evaluation of Public Information Symbols: ISO 1979/80 Test Series. Part II: Comprehension/Recognition Tests. AP Report 100, Applied Psychology Department, University of Aston in Birmingham, January 1981.
Eco-Mo Foundation (2001): Test data of public information symbols in Japan - Procedure for the testing of public information symbols by the Study Committee. ISO: ISO/TC 145/SC 1 N 329.
Lerner, N.D. & Collins, B.L. (1980): The Assessment of Safety Symbol Understandability By Different Testing Methods. Washington, D.C.: National Bureau of Standards, NBSIR 80-2088, August 1980.
Olgyay, N. (1996): Safety Symbols Art: The Testing Protocol, Materials & Results. Foci Studio, Washington, DC.
See also
Updated 2023-11-14