ASTM F1749-96
(Specification)Standard Specification for Fitness Equipment and Fitness Facility Safety Signage and Labels
Standard Specification for Fitness Equipment and Fitness Facility Safety Signage and Labels
SCOPE
1.1 This specification establishes requirements for safety signage and labels for fitness equipment as defined in 3.1.4 and fitness facilities as defined in 3.1.5. It provides for the design, placement, and minimum wording required.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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An American National Standard
Designation: F 1749 – 96
Standard Specification for
Fitness Equipment and Fitness Facility Safety Signage and
Labels
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1749; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This specification sets forth guidelines for signage and labels associated with fitness equipment and
fitness facilities. Its goal is to help alert and remind users of safe practices in utilizing fitness
equipment. Like any other physical activity, exercise involving fitness equipment presents a potential
for injury. No label or sign alone can prevent all injuries, especially when fitness equipment is used
improperly. The ultimate responsibility for preventing injury lies with the equipment owner or
equipment user, or both. This specification, however, intends to promote proper fitness equipment
practices through standardization of signage and label requirements.
1. Scope 3.1.4 fitness equipment, n—a machine or bench designed for
use in exercising specific or multiple muscles of the body.
1.1 This specification establishes requirements for safety
3.1.5 fitness facility, n—a location where people go to use
signage and labels for fitness equipment as defined in 3.1.4 and
institutional fitness equipment.
fitness facilities as defined in 3.1.5. It provides for the design,
3.1.6 fitness facility equipment sign, n—a sign designed
placement, and minimum wording required.
within the scope of this specification and complying with all
2. Referenced Documents applicable ANSI standards that is posted within a fitness
facility and alerts users to potential hazards associated with
2.1 ASTM Standards:
institutional fitness equipment.
Z 535.1 Safety Color Code
3.1.6.1 Discussion—A fitness facility equipment sign is
Z 535.2 Environmental and Facility Safety Signs
considered a general safety sign.
Z 535.3 Criteria for Safety Symbols
3.1.7 free weight strength equipment, n— strength equip-
Z 535.4 Product Safety Signs and Labels
ment designed to accept individual weight plates or to support/
2.2 Product Safety Sign and Label System—FMC Corpo-
accept a lifting bar with individual weight plates secured to it.
ration
3.1.8 general safety sign, n—a sign addressing safe exercise
practices, proper safety procedures, and the location of safety
3. Terminology
equipment.
3.1.9 general safety sign signal word, n— brief word(s) at
3.1 Definitions:
the top of a general safety sign designed to draw attention to
3.1.1 aerobic fitness equipment, n—fitness equipment de-
the sign.
signed to condition a group of muscles aerobically.
3.1.9.1 Discussion—Examples of these words include
3.1.2 consumer fitness equipment, n—fitness equipment in-
safety first, be careful and think. The words danger, warning
tended for use by one person or one family unit.
and caution shall not be used (see also signal word).
3.1.3 control panel, n—the console on fitness equipment
3.1.10 general warning label, n—a label designed in accor-
where the user chooses/enters an exercise routine or resistance
dance with this specification that is affixed to a portion of the
level.
fitness equipment and draws attention to potential hazards
associated with the use of that fitness equipment.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-8 on Sports
3.1.11 hazard classification, v—to choose a signal word
Equipment and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F08.30 on
based on the seriousness of the related potential hazard.
Fitness Products.
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 1996. Published July 1997.
3.1.12 institutional fitness equipment, n— fitness equipment
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
intended for use by numerous persons in a commercial or
Floor, New York, NY 10036.
3 institutional, as opposed to a home, environment.
Available from FMC, P.O. Box 580, Santa Clara, CA 95052. Phone: (408)
289-3486.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 1749
3.1.13 instruction plate, n— a placard on fitness equipment 4.2.2 Warning—The signal word warning shall be in black
that describes how to use the equipment properly. letters on a safety orange background. The PMS color for the
3.1.13.1 Discussion—The instruction plate, may, but is not background shall be Pantone 152C.
required to, be part of the control panel. 4.2.3 Caution—The signal word caution shall be in black
3.1.14 message panel, n—the area of a warning label where letters on a safety yellow background. The PMS color for the
the statement of hazard is placed. background shall be Pantone 108C.
3.1.15 pictorial, n—graphic representation that depicts or 4.2.4 General Safety Sign Signal Word(s)—The signal
illustrates a potential hazard with the use of words. word(s) for this type of sign or label shall be in white letters on
3.1.16 selectorized strength equipment, n—weight or grav- a safety green background. The PMS color for the background
ity biased, hydraulic or electrical strength equipment in which shall be Pantone 3415C.
the resistance means is an integral part of the machine and may 4.3 Multiple Hazard Identification:
be varied easily by the user. 4.3.1 One Sign or Label—When more than one hazard
3.1.17 signal icon, n—the symbol that proceeds the signal situation exists in close proximity to one another, they may be
word in the signal word panel. addressed on the same label or sign providing that the
3.1.17.1 Discussion—This symbol is a solid black triangle information for each hazard is presented effectively.
with an exclamation point. 4.3.2 Level of Seriousness—When multiple hazards are
3.1.18 signal word, n—brief word(s) at the top of a label addressed on one label, the hazard with the greatest level of
designed to draw attention to that label. severity shall be addressed first. The remaining hazards shall be
3.1.18.1 Discussion—The word(s) convey the degree or presented in order according to their relative levels of severity.
level of seriousness of a potential hazard. Examples of signal
5. Label Design
words are danger, warning and caution (see also general safety
5.1 General Warning Label:
sign signal word).
5.1.1 Hazard Classification—Fitness equipment shall be
3.1.19 signal word panel, n— the location in which the
classified as potentially hazardous. If attention is not paid to
signal word(s) is/are placed.
the conditions of equipment usage, death or serious injury
3.1.19.1 Discussion—The color and placement of the signal
could occur.
word panel shall comply with all applicable ANSI standards
5.1.2 Signal Word— The signal word for this label shall be
and 4.2.
warning.
3.1.20 site specific label, n—a label designed within the
5.1.3 Label Design— Design of the label shall comply with
scope of this specification affixed to fitness equipment that
all applicable ANSI and ASTM standards for signal word and
draws attention to a potential hazard in the immediate area of
signal icon placement, signal word panel design and color,
the label.
message style and content, and letter size and placement (see
3.1.21 statement of hazard, n—the words that describe the
Fig. 1).
hazard(s) or the potential consequences, or both, of not
5.1.3.1 Label Orientation—Vertical or horizontal label ori-
avoiding the hazard(s).
entation may be used (see Fig. 1).
3.1.22 strength equipment, n—fitness equipment designed
5.1.3.2 Pictorial Panel—Pictorials shall not be used on
to strengthen one or more groups of muscles anaerobically.
general warning labels.
3.1.23 surround shape, n—the geometric configuration sur-
5.1.3.3 Border—A contrast shall exist between the label and
rounding a pictorial.
the mounting location on the fitness equipment. It is preferable
4. Label and Sign Classifications
that a border measuring at least 0.06 in. surround the entire
4.1 Hazard Classification—Product safety signs and labels label. When this is not possible, such as when the general
shall be classified according to the relative seriousness of the warning label is incorporated into an instruction plate or
potential hazards. The classifications shall be noted by the control panel, a contrast shall exist between the warnings and
signal words danger, warning and caution. Fitness facility the remainder of the words or instructions present on the
signs are classified as general safety signs and shall use signal control panel or instruction panel. This contrast shall be
words such as safety first, be careful and think. achieved by making the background of the warning a different
4.1.1 Danger—Indicates an imminently hazardous situation color or shade than the remainder of the instruction/control
which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. This panel.
signal word is to be limited to the most extreme situations. 5.1.3.4 Color—When the general label is to be applied to
4.1.2 Warning—Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, the fitness equipment, and it is not to be incorporated within the
which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury. instruction or control panel, the signal word panel shall be
4.1.3 Caution—Indicates a potentially hazardous s
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