Graphical Symbols and Abbreviations Standard BS 1635:1990

Introduction

The current standard is BS 1635 : 1990 and has been produced with the agreement of the Fire Standards Policy Committee and replaces BS 1635: 1970. During preparation the international standard ISO 6790 “Graphical symbols for fire protection plans”, was considered and those symbols have been used wherever possible, with consideration of the content of BS 1635 : 1970. The format uses the style as recommended in BS 1192 Part 3: 1987 and ISO 6790, and incorporates precedents that exist in best British drawing practice. The names given to symbols have wherever possible been derived from BS 4422 and the wording used in group 9, Fire safety signs, complies with BS 5499: Part 1. BS 1635:1990

The rationale they have used, is to produce simple icons that representing one piece of fire engineering and are called element. You then combine a number of these elements into a symbol, for example the element for any type of extinguisher is a triangle, insert into the triangle the element for water, a circle with a vertical line and you have a Water Extinguisher. You can make them more complex and they are then called applications. The symbol for a hose reel is a semicircle, with the water element inserted, add an outlet which is an arrow, and the element for length of hose in meters and you have an application.

The application for a hose reel shows the length of the hose in metres in the upper right hand corner and although contrary to the standard I believe it should be also apply to portable extinguishers.

The above is only a very brief introduction and the symbols are simple sketches produced by me consequently you need to research the British Standard by purchasing a copy or use the local reference library who may have copies.

Group Table

Information Devices 1.1 – Convention for indicating zones

Fire Extinguishers 2.1 – Portable and transportable equipment

2.2 – Fixed Systems

Fire Fighting Equipment 3.1 – Fire Fighting Equipment

Fire Alarm 4.1 – Control and Indicating Equipment

4.2 – Initiating Equipment

4.3 – Warning Equipment

Means of Escape 5.1 – Routes

Risk Areas 6.1 – Fire and Explosion

Fire Precautions 7.1 – Building Elements

Emergency Lighting 8.1 – Lighting

Fire Safety Signs 9.1 – Descriptions

Smoke Control 10.1 – Venting and Pressurization

Note. The symbols taken from ISO 6790 without modification are noted with an asterisk.

Group 1 – Information

Table 1.1 – Convention for indicating zones

Conventions

1.101 Behind cutting plane – Hidden

1.102 Behind cutting plane – Visible

1.103 Beyond cutting plane – Visible

1.104 Beyond cutting plane – Hidden

Return

Group 2 – Fire Extinguishers

Table 2.1 – Portable and transportable

Elements

Water2.1E1

*

Halon Gas2.1E7

Foam2.1E2 Carbon Dioxide Gas2.1E8

* *

*

Powder Any Type2.1E3

Wall Mounted2.1E9

BC Powder2.1E4

Transportable,Wheel or Skid Mounted2.1E10

*

ABC Powder2.1E5

Fire Blanket2.1E11

*

Gas Any Type2.1E6

Symbols

*

Any Type2.101

*

Any type Gas Extinguisher2.101 + 2.1E6

Portable Free standing Water Extinguisher2.101 + 2.1E1

*

Halon Gas Extinguisher2.101 + 2.1E7

*

Portable Free standing Foam Extinguisher2.101 + 2.1E2

*

Carbon DiOxide Extinguisher2.101 + 2.1E8

*

Dry Powder Extinguisher2.101 + 2.1E3

*

Water Bucket2.110

BC Dry Powder Extinguisher2.101 + 2.1E4

*

Sand Bucket2.111

*

ABC Dry Powder Extinguisher2.101 + 2.1E5

Fire Blanket2.101 + 2.1E11

Applications

Portable free standing Water Extinguisher2.101 + 2.1E1 + 3.1E6

Transportable Halon Gas Extinguisher2.101 + 2.1E7 + 2.1E10 + 3.1E6

Portable wall mounted BC Powder Extinguisher2.101 + 2.1E4 + 2.1E9 + 3.1E6

Return

Group 2 – Fire Extinguishers

Table 2.2 – Fixed Installations

Elements

*

Outlet 2.2E1Hydraulic Operation2.2E6

*

Inlet 2.2E2Manual Operation2.2E7

*

Total Application2.2E3Mechanical Operation2.2E8

Actuator Any Type2.2E4

Pneumatic Operation2.2E9

Electrical Operation2.2E5

Thermal Operation2.2E10

Symbols

*

Fixed System Any Type2.201

Hydraulic Actuator2.2E4 + 2.2E6

Fixed System Water2.2E3 + 2.1E1

Manual Actuator2.2E4 + 2.2E7

*

Fixed System Foam2.2E3 + 2.1E2

Mechanical Actuator2.2E4 + 2.2E8

*

Fixed System Powder2.2E3 + 2.1E3

Pneumatic Actuator2.2E4 + 2.2E9

*

Fixed System Gas2.2E3 + 2.1E6

Thermal Actuator2.2E4 + 2.2E10

Electrical Actuator2.2E4 + 2.2E5

Applications

*

Fixed System any Type Local Application2.201 + 2.2E1

Fixed System Manually Actuated2.201 + 2.2E7

Drencher System Any Type2.201 + 2.2E1

Return

Group 3 – Fire Fighting

Table 3.1 – Fire Fighting Equipment

Elements

Pipe Below Ground3.1E1 (See 1.104)

Indicator or Meter3.1E5

Pipe Above Ground3.1E2

Length of hose in metres3.1E6

Chamber in Ground3.1E3

Non Return Check Valve3.1E7

*

Valve3.1E4

Symbols

*

Fire Main or Riser Any Type3.101

Ground Hydrant in Chamber Double3.1E3 + 3.1E1 + 3.1E4 + 2.2E1

*

Fire Main Dry3.102Pillar Hydrant Single3.1E1 + 3.12 + 3.1E4 + 2.2E

Fire Main Wet3.101 + 2.1E1

Pillar Hydrant Double3.1E1 + 3.12 + 3.1E4 + 2.2E

*

Fire Main Foam3.101 + 2.1W2

*

Fire Point3.109

Ground Hydrant in Chamber Single3.1E3 + 3.1E1 + 3.1E4 + 2.2E1

Hosereel3.110

Applications

Dry Fire Main Landing Valve3.101 + 3.1E4 + 2.2E1

Underground Fire Main3.1E12.1E2

Foam Inlet3.102 + 2.2E2

Hosereel 45m long3.110 + 3.1E6 + 2.1E1 + 2.2E1

Underground Fire Main3.1E1 + 2.1E1

Under ground Fire Main with Metered by Pass3.1E1 + 3.1E3 + 3.1E4 + 3.1E5

Return

Group 4 – Fire Alarm

Table 4.1 – Control and Indicating Equipment

Elements

*

Sounder4.1E1

*

Illuminated Signal4.1E2

Symbols

*

Control Panel Any Type4.101

*

Control Panel Illuminated Signals4.101 + 4.1E2

*

Control Panel Sounders4.101 + 4.1E1

*

Control Panel Sounders and Illuminated Signals4.101 + 4.1E1 + 4.1E2

Return

Group 4 – Fire Alarm

Table 4.2 – Initiating Equipment

Elements

*

Smoke4.2E1 Beam4.2E3

Flame4.2E2

Symbols

*

Detector Any Type4.201

*

Gas Detector4.201 + 2.1E6

Heat Detector4.201 + 2.2E10

Fire Alarm Manual Call Point4.201 + 2.2E7

*

Smoke Detector4.201 + 4.2E1

Beam Detector4.201 + 4.2E3

Flame Detector4.201 + 4.2E2

Return

Group 4 – Fire Alarm

Table 4.3 – Warning Equipment

Elements

Manual Sounder4.3E1

*

LoudSpeaker4.3E3

*

Electric Bell4.3E2

*

Telephone4.3E4

Symbols

Warning Device Any Type4.301

*

Warning Device Loudspeaker4.301 + 4.3E3

Warning Device Manual Sounder4.301 + 4.3E1

*

Warning Device Telephone4.301 + 4.3E4

*

Warning Device Sounder4.301 + 4.1E1

*

Warning Device Visual4.301 + 4.1E2

*

Warning Device Bell4.301 + 4.3E2

Applications

Telephone with Flashing Light4.301 + 4.3E4 + 4.1E2

Return

Group 5 – Means of Escape

Table 5.1 – Routes

Elements

Directional Arrow5.1E1

Symbols

*

Escape Route5.101

*

Escape Route, Final Exit5.103

*

Escape Route, Direction to Follow5.102

Return

Group 6 – Risk Areas

Table 6.1 – Fire and Explosion

Elements

Flammable Materials6.1E1

Explosive Materials6.1E3

Oxidizing Materials6.1E2

Symbols

General Hazard Warning6.101

Oxidizing Materials Risk Area6.103

Flammable Materials Risk Area6.102

Explosive Materials Risk Area6.104

Return

Group 7 – Fire Precautions

Table 7.1 – Building Elements

Elements

Ramp Gradient7.1E1Self Closing Automatic Release7.1E8

Fire Resistance in Minutes7.1E2

Vision Panel7.1E9

Fire Resisting Glazed Element7.1E3

Guarding Handrail7.1E10

Security Lock7.1E4Push Bar Door Ironmongery7.1E11

Key in Box7.1E5 Fusible Link7.1E12

Free From Fastenings7.1E6

Fire Resisting7.1E13

Self Closing7.1E7Smoke Resisting7.1E14

Symbols

Wall Opening with Window7.101

Door set, Sliding Leaf7.111

Wall Opening with Roller Shutter7.102

Door set, Revolving Leaves7.112

Wall Opening with Up and Over Door7.103

Door set, Sliding/folding, End Hung7.113

Door Set, Hinged Leaf7.104

Door set, Sliding/folding, Centre Hung7.114

Door set, Hinged leaf (alternative)7.105

Stairway, Arrow Indicates Up Direction7.115

Door set, Hinged Leaf, Normally Closed7.106

Ramp, Arrow Indicates Up Direction7.116

Door set, Hinged Leaf, Normally Open7.107

Fire Damper7.117

Door set, Hinged Leaf, O[opening Either Way7.108

Fire Resisting Construction 30 min7.118

Door set, Hinged Leaf, Opening 1807.109

Fire Resisting Construction 30 min’s (for small scale drawings)7.119

Door set, Two Hinged Leaves7.110

Applications

Fire Resisting Glazed Screen7.1E2 + &.7.1E3 7.101 + 7.118

Final Exit Door set Double Leaves Single Swing with push bar door ironmongery7.110 + 7.1E11

Fire Damper in Ductwork7.117

Ramp Showing Direction of Rise and Gradient7.116 + 7.1E1

30 min Fire Resisting Door set, Single Leaf, Single Swing7.118 + 7.104 +7.1E2 + 7.113

Guarding Rail along side of open Stairwell7.115 + 7.1E10

60 min Fire Resisting Door set, Single Leaf, Single Swing7.118 + 7.104 +7.1E2 + 7.1E13 + 7.1E14

Wall Opening with Roller Shutter 30 min’s Fire Resistance operated by Fusible Link7.102 + 7.1E13 + 7.1E12

30 min Fire and Smoke Resisting Door set, Double Leaf, Single Swing, Self Closing. Normally held open on electro magnetic devices7.118 + 7.110 + 7.1E2 + 7.1E8 + 7.1E13 + 7.1E14

Return

Group 8 – Emergency Lighting

Table 8.1 – Lighting

Elements

Luminaire Any Type8.1E1

Luminaire Linear Any Type Enclosed8.1E4

Luminaire Any Type, Enclosed8.1E2

Emergency / Safety8.1E5

Luminaire Linear Any Type8.1E3

Symbols

Emergency, Enclosed8.101

Emergency, Linear Self Contained8.104

Emergency, Self Contained8.102

Emergency, Linear Enclosed8.105

Emergency, Linear Any Type8.103

Exit Sign Internally Illuminated8.106

Return

Group 9 – Fire Safety Signs

Table 9.1 – Descriptions

Elements

General Prohibition9.1E1

General Condition Sign9.1E21

Smoking is Prohibited9.1E2

Fire Exit9.1E22

Smoking and Flames Prohibited9.1E3

Slide to Open9.1E23

Water as Extinguishing Agent Prohibited9.1E4

Break to Obtain Access9.1E24

General Warning9.1E5Push Bar to Open9.1E25

Flammable Materials9.1E6

Directional Arrow (Green)9.1E26

Oxidizing Materials9.1E7

Collection of Firefighting Equipment9.1E27

Risk of Explosion9.1E8Fire Alarm Call Point9.1E28

No Means of Escape9.1E9

Fire Telephone9.1E29

In the Event of a Fire, Avoid use of Lift9.1E10

Fire Hose Reel9.1E30

General Mandatory Sign9.1E11

Fire Extinguisher9.1E31

Fire Action Sign9.1E12 Foam Inlet9.1E32

Fire Door Keep Shut9.1E13

Dry Riser9.1E33

Fire Door Keep Locked9.1E14

Wet Riser9.1E34

Automatic Fire Door Keep Clear9.1E15

Fireman`s Switch9.1E35

Automatic Fire Door, Keep Clear, Close at Night9.1E16

Open Valve, in the event of a Fire9.1E36

Door to be Secured Open9.1E17

Open Valve before running out Hose9.1E37

Door to be Unlocked9.1E18

Fire Plan9.1E38

Gangway Keep Clear9.1E19

Directional Arrow (Red)9.1E39

Fire Escape Keep Clear9.1E20

Symbols

Fire Exit9.101

Applications

Fire Door to be kept shut 7.118 + 7.104 + 9.114

Fire Exit Door with Sign 7.118 + 7.110 + 8.106 + 9.1E22

Return

Group 10 – Smoke Control

Table 10.1 – Venting and Pressurization

Elements

Smoke Vent on Plan10.1E1

Smoke Vent in Horizontal or Vertical Section10.1E5

Smoke Vent over on Plan10.1E2

Fan10.1E6

Roof Light Vent on Plan10.1E3

Flow Direction Extract10.1E7

Roof Light Vent over on Plan10.1E4

Flow Direction Supply10.1E8

Symbols

*

Space Requiring Smoke Ventilation10.101

Replacement Air Intake10.111

*

Pressurized Space10.102

Window Smoke Release Manual10.112

Pressurized Space, Single stage10.103

Window Smoke Release Automatic10.113

Pressurized Space, Double Stage10.104

Pressure Air Supply Point10.114

Smoke Reservoir10.105

Pressurizing Air Intake 10.115

Pressure Differential Point10.106

Smoke Curtain Fixed10.116

Smoke Vent Manually Actuated10.107

Smoke Curtain Automatically Actuated10.117

Smoke Vent Automatically Actuated10.108

Smoke Extraction Fan10.118

Smoke Extract Point10.109

Pressurizing Air Supply Fan10.119

Smoke Discharge Point10.110

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Standard Number

Title

BS 1635:1990 Recommendations for graphic symbols and abbreviations for fire protection drawings

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