Escape route guidance
The whole of signaling to inform persons of the optimal escape route
Escape route marking is the complete set of signs and markings that, at the time of an emergency, enable the users of an object or area to quickly find their way to safety. The value of professionally designed and installed escape route marking is therefore best demonstrated during emergency situations and evacuations. It is an essential element in limiting personal and material damage in the event of an emergency. The provision of escape route marking is almost always required by legislation.
“In case of an emergency situation, this component of the safety signing system provides a permanent means to visually communicate the location of escape routes, providing people with a clearly marked path to the outside or to a place of safe refuge to wait for evacuation by intervention forces” – ISO/TS 20559:2020
More about ISO20559Regardless of the place of refuge, within a building, on a (factory) site, ship or offshore installation, a rapid evacuation must always be possible. Escape route marking is mandatory under occupational health and safety legislation and various other laws and regulations. Unambiguous communication by means of escape route marking is of great importance under all circumstances. The various relevant escape routes must therefore always be locatable and recognizable at a glance. Uniformly implemented escape route marking leads to a safe environment or assembly point. On ships and offshore installations, additional reference is made to lifeboats and rafts.
A well thought-out system of escape route marking is characterized by visibility and comprehensibility and often finds its basis in an evacuation plan. For the design of a complete safety signage system, the ISO TS20559 offers practical instructions and examples. Marking and signage of escape routes by Blomsma Signs & Safety includes indicating escape routes, changes in the direction of escape routes, emergency exits and safe locations such as assembly areas. The escape route markings can be found in highly visible locations, are tailored for legibility in terms of size and have properties that promote visibility. These properties include phosphorescence / photoluminescence (afterglow), illumination (internally illuminated) and retro-reflection (reflective).
An evacuation plan includes primary and secondary routes and an end point; the location that is ‘safe’ for all users. This is for example an assembly point but can also be an embarkation station where lifeboats and rafts are available to leave a ship or offshore installation. The escape route marking is therefore a route marking that is present on all floors and levels and only ends at assembly stations.
An escape route system can be made complete with for example an escape route guidance system as described in ISO 16069 and ISO 15370, and evacuation plans according to ISO 23601.
Blomsma Signs & Safety has a complete programme of escape route marking for your building, factory, site, ship or offshore location. For the marking and signalling of escape routes we offer both retro-reflective and retro-reflective markings in a wide range of materials and in accordance with current legislation and standards.
Do you want to know if your current escape route marking system complies with all applicable laws and regulations or do you want us to set up a completely new escape route marking system? Then please contact our team.
The whole of signaling to inform persons of the optimal escape route
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