Tips To Creating Your Photoluminescent / Illuminous Fire Safety / Evacuation and Emergency Plans
In emergencies aboard yachts, boats, hotels, or commercial establishments, having clear and effective evacuation and emergency plans is crucial to ensuring safe exits from the premises.
These plans should be printed on photoluminescent material, which glows in the dark by absorbing ambient light.
This ensures visibility even during power outages or in smoke-filled conditions, guiding individuals to emergency exits, fire extinguishers, alarm buttons, and other essential safety features.
Photoluminescent evacuation and emergency plans are especially effective for protecting customers and employees during crises such as fires, floods, earthquakes, or other unexpected situations.
Below are some helpful tips for designing an evacuation plan that is both practical and visually appealing.
Tips for Lettering, Typography, Colors, and Lines
- Labeling: Ensure the plan includes a clear title that specifies the building name, floor level, and type of emergency. Include a legend to explain the symbols used, such as exits, stairways, and fire extinguishers. Place legends in the margins or empty areas of the plan, ensuring they do not obstruct the main information.
- Typography: Choose a legible, clean, and straightforward font for clarity. Sans-serif fonts like Arial or Helvetica are recommended for their simplicity. The font size should be appropriate for the plan’s format, ensuring all text is easy to read. Use a font color that contrasts sharply with the background—for example, black text on a white background or vice versa. Click on the image below to view a larger version
- Colours : Colour is a key element in conveying the message of the plan. A limited and harmonious colour palette should be used, which does not distract or confuse the reader. The most commonly used colours are green for exits, red for risk or danger elements, blue for meeting or assembly points, and yellow for caution or warning areas. Click on the image below to view a larger version
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Lines and symbol size : Lines define the shape and size of spaces and objects on the plan. A uniform and constant thickness must be used for all lines, without variations or discontinuities. Lines must be straight or curved, depending on the geometry of the building, and must follow a clear and consistent direction. Lines must avoid crossing or overlapping each other, so as not to create ambiguity or confusion.
Likewise, symbols must meet a minimum and maximum size so that they are visible and understandable at all times. Click on the image below to view a larger version
Design Regulatory Standards
The design of evacuation plans must comply with the regulations in force in each country or region. In Spain, the standard that regulates this aspect is UNE 23035-4:2018, which establishes the requirements and criteria for luminescent safety signage.