Graphic symbols for fire protection plans
1988 Edition

Scope of the Standard and Key Symbol Tables

Scope (Clause 2.1):
Defines graphical symbols based on geometric shapes paired with supplementary features to represent categories of fire protection equipment and systems.

Principal Tables:

Table 1: Fundamental Geometrical Figures for Equipment Types

Table 2: Supplementary Symbol Components (Placed within Basic Shapes)

Table 3: Standalone Symbols

Notes on Application:

• Combine a fundamental shape with supplementary elements to identify specific equipment (e.g., portable extinguisher with CO2: circle plus CO2 label).
• Symbols are referenced in fire safety plan legends to ensure clarity.

flowchart LR
    A[Basic Shape] --> B[Supplementary Element]
    B --> C[Combined Symbol]
    C --> D[Fire Safety Legend]

Summary: This standard utilizes a system of consistent geometric figures and additional symbols to depict firefighting equipment and systems clearly on design plans.

Symbol Classification and Descriptions

2.1 Basic Geometrical Figures (Clause 2.1)

2.2 Supplementary Symbol Components (Clause 2.1)

2.3 Standalone Symbols (Clause 2.2)

2.4 Sample Symbol Combinations (Clause 2.3)

Summary:

The standard prescribes a set of basic geometric shapes to classify fire protection devices, augmented by enclosed supplementary symbols that denote extinguishing media, activation methods, and other device features.

Guidelines for Accurate Symbol Rendering on Plans

• Symbols are designed to be reproducible through manual drafting or automated methods such as CAD.
• Template stencils and dry transfer decals can be employed for consistency.
• The clarity and uniformity of symbols are essential for effective fire safety documentation.

Reference Tables for Symbols:

Notes on Symbol Use:

• Supplementary symbols are enclosed within basic shapes to clarify media and function.
• Standard symbols such as Water (W), Powder (P), and CO2 (C) are universally applied.
• Special symbols like Manual operation (Y) and Flame (A) indicate control and hazard specifics.
• Escape routes and hydrants have distinct symbols showing outlet numbers.

flowchart LR
    A[Symbol Design] --> B[Manual Drafting]
    A --> C[Automated Drafting]
    B --> D[Template Usage]
    B --> E[Dry Transfer Method]
    C --> F[CAD Software]

In summary: This standard mandates the use of clear, reproducible symbols for fire protection elements, ensuring uniformity across manual and digital drafting methods.

Requirements for Fire Safety Plan Legends

• All symbols utilized in fire protection plans must be explicitly defined in a legend for user comprehension.
• The legend includes basic geometric shapes representing equipment categories and supplementary symbols indicating extinguishing media, activation types, and additional features.
• Consistency with the standard’s symbol tables is necessary.
• Extinguishing gases other than Halon or CO2 require clear definition within the legend.

Extract from Symbol Tables:

Suggested Legend Format:

• Symbol — Meaning
• Examples:
  • 🔥 — Flame
  • W — Water
  • CO2 — Carbon dioxide extinguisher
  • Y — Manual activation

Usage Recommendations:

• Ensure all symbols on the plan are included and explained in the legend.
• Use standard symbols for clarity and uniformity.
• Define any non-standard gases or symbols explicitly.

graph TD
A[Firefighting Equipment] --> B[Handheld Extinguisher]
A --> C[Fixed Suppression System]
B --> D[Water, Foam, Powder]
C --> E[Manual and Automatic Activation]

Overall, the legend facilitates unambiguous interpretation of fire safety plans.

Guidelines for Symbol Size and Scale Consistency

• Symbols on fire protection drawings must be scaled uniformly relative to the drawing scale to maintain clarity.
• Typical symbol heights range between 6 mm and 12 mm for legibility.
• The scale ratio of symbols must remain constant across a single drawing.
• Symbols should be reproducible clearly by hand or machine drafting tools.

Examples of Symbol Dimensions:

Supplementary Symbol Sizing:

flowchart LR
    A[Drawing Scale] --> B[Set Symbol Size]
    B --> C[Maintain Uniform Scale]
    C --> D[Ensure Clarity]
    D --> E[Typical Size: 6-12 mm]

In essence, symbol sizes must be consistent and proportional to the overall drawing scale to guarantee effective communication.