scope:

To reduce risks associated with misinterpretation of visual and auditory danger Signals, this International Standard specifies a System of danger and information Signals taking into account the different degrees of urgency.

This International Standard is applicable to all danger and information Signals which have to be clearly perceived and differentiated as specified in ISO/TR 12100-2:1992, 5.3, by other requirements or by the work Situation, and to all degrees of urgency - from extreme urgency to an ALL CLEAR Situation. Where visual Signals are to be complementary to Sound Signals, the Signal Character is specified for both.

This International Standard does not apply to certain fields covered by specific Standards or other conventions in forte (international or national); in particular, fire alarms, medical alarms, alarms used in the field of public transport, navigation Signals and Signals for special fields of activity (for example, military). When new Signals are being planned, however, this International Standard should be considered in Order to avoid inconsistency.

For auditory Signals, the System of Signal Character is a guideline for a Signal language based on message categories which are classified according to urgency. Certain characters are specified for purposes which require safe and rapid recognition. Certain categories allow possibilities for variants, e.g. control and warning Signals at workplaces where the signalling is intended for personnel with specific training.

For visual Signals, the established meanings of the safety colours are not affected by this International Standard. For different needs, complementary meanings have been assrgned to the Signals by timed Patterns, and in a very few cases by alternating colours.