ISO/TC 145/SC 1 - Public information symbols

This document specifies principles, requirements and methods for the installation of public information guidance systems. It also provides guidelines on the assessments of the outcomes of public information guidance systems. It is intended for use by organizations providing design and installation services in the field of public information guidance systems and organizations selecting, using or developing relative assessments. This document is applicable to the installation and assessment of public information guidance systems used in public places, such as bus and railway stations, airports, shopping centres, shops, hospitals, exhibition halls, sports and entertainment complexes, urban areas, parks, gardens and countryside, public attractions, museums and commercial office buildings. This document is not applicable to: — variable message signs (e.g. dynamic message signs, matrix signs and electronic traffic displays); — sectors (e.g. traffic signs on a public highway) which are subject to specific regulations or specified installation principles; however, in a given public environment or within a wayfinding and signing design brief, public information sometimes needs to be associated with other messaging, so many of the principles contained in this document can be relevant in the planning of a coordinated scheme.

This document specifies graphical symbols for the purposes of public information. This document is generally applicable to public information symbols in all locations and all sectors where the public has access. However, it is not applicable to safety signs or those sectors subject to specific regulations (e.g. traffic signs on public roads). This document specifies the original symbols that can be scaled for reproduction and application purposes. The symbols can be used in conjunction with text to improve comprehension.

This document specifies requirements and gives a range of guidelines for various stages of preparation, design, construction, inspection and updating that comprise an information index signs used in public places. This document is applicable to the design and use of information index signs used in public places such as bus and railway stations, airports, shopping centres, stores, hospitals, exhibition halls, sporting and entertainment complexes, urban areas, parks, gardens and countryside, public attractions, museums and commercial office buildings. The design and use of information index signs in working areas can also use the content of this document for reference. This document is not applicable to those sectors (for example, traffic signs on a public highway) which are subject to regulations or specified design principles. However, in a given public environment or within a wayfinding and signing design brief, where there is sometimes a need for public information to be associated with other messaging, many of the principles contained in this document can be relevant in the planning of a coordinated scheme.

ISO 28564-2:2016 gives a range of guidelines for various stages of preparation, design, construction, inspection, updating and testing which comprise a location sign or a direction sign used in public places and working areas. ISO 28564-2:2016 is applicable to the design and use of location signs and direction signs used in all sorts of public places, such as shopping centres, stores, hospitals, bus and railway stations, airports, sporting, exhibition halls and entertainment complexes, urban areas, parks, gardens and countryside, public attractions, museums and commercial office buildings. The design and use of location signs and direction signs in working areas can also resort to the content for reference. It is not applicable to those sectors (for example, traffic signs on a public highway), which are subject to regulations or specified design principles. However, in a given public environment or within a wayfinding and signing design brief, public information sometimes needs to be associated with other messaging, so many of the principles contained in this part of ISO 28564 can be relevant in the planning of a coordinated scheme.

ISO 28564-1:2010 specifies requirements and principles for the design and application of location plans, maps and diagrams used in public areas and workplaces to assist users to understand the environment, locate facilities and determine appropriate routes to reach those facilities. These location plans, maps and diagrams are referred to as location plans in ISO 28564-1:2010. Location plans are intended for use in, for example, shopping centres, stores, hospitals, bus and train stations, airports, sporting and entertainment complexes, urban areas, parks, gardens and countryside, public attractions, museums and office complexes. ISO 28564-1:2010 is not applicable to the design of escape plans, nor does it cover the design of directional and location wayfinding signs.

ISO 22727:2007 specifies requirements for the creation and design of public information symbols. It specifies requirements for the design of public information symbols for submission for registration as approved public information symbols, including line width, the use of graphical symbol elements and how to indicate negation. It also specifies templates to be used in the design of public information symbols. ISO 22727:2007 is for use by all those involved in the commissioning and the creation and design of public information symbols. It is not applicable to safety signs, including fire safety signs, or to traffic signs for use on the public highway. Examples are given for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute requirements for particular public information symbols.

ISO 7001:2007 specifies graphical symbols for the purposes of public information. It is generally applicable to public information symbols in all locations and all sectors where the public has access. ISO 7001:2007 specifies the symbol originals that may be scaled for reproduction and application purposes. The symbols may be used in conjunction with text to improve comprehension.

ISO 9186-1:2007 specifies methods for testing the comprehensibility of graphical symbols. It includes the method to be used in testing the extent to which a variant of a graphical symbol communicates its intended message and the method to be used in testing which variant of a graphical symbol is judged the most comprehensible. The purpose of ISO 9186-1:2007 is to ensure that graphical symbols, and signs using graphical symbols, are readily understood. The intention is to develop graphical symbols which are correctly understood by users when no supplementary (i.e. explanatory) text is presented. When such a graphical symbol cannot be obtained, it might be necessary to present a graphical symbol together with supplementary text explaining its meaning in the language of the intended users.

Adds names of the new symbols 051 to 057 to the numerical index and survey (clause 4) and the corresponding sheets to clause 5.

Provides a set of recommended procedures to be followed and sets forth the essential technical criteria which should be taken into account when developing or considering the use of graphical symbols as a means of visual pictorial communication. Applies mainly to public areas. Includes terms and definitions.