ISO 7010 Reference Guide
ISO 7010 Safety Symbols: Complete Reference
The definitive guide to ISO 7010 safety pictograms — covering all 6 categories, symbol codes, color conventions, and compliance requirements for evacuation plans and fire safety signage.
What Is ISO 7010?
ISO 7010 is the international standard that specifies graphical symbols used on safety signs — the pictograms you see on exit signs, fire extinguisher markers, hazard warnings, and evacuation maps. Published by the International Organization for Standardization, it covers the design, color coding, and meaning of safety signs used in workplaces, public buildings, transportation systems, and industrial facilities worldwide.
The standard was designed to solve a specific problem: safety signs that rely on text are only useful to people who speak that language. ISO 7010 pictograms use universally understood visual language — a running figure, a flame, a red circle with a diagonal bar — that communicates the same meaning regardless of the reader's native language.
In the United States, ISO 7010 symbols are referenced in NFPA 170 (Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols) and are increasingly specified in building permits and AHJ plan review requirements. They meet the symbol requirements of NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), the International Fire Code (IFC), and OSHA emergency egress marking requirements.
The ISO 7010 Color & Shape System
ISO 7010 Symbol Reference by Category
Escape & Emergency Egress
Green background with white symbols. Used for emergency exits, assembly points, and evacuation routes.
E001E002E003E004E005E006E007E009E011E012Fire Safety Equipment
Red background with white symbols. Used for fire-fighting equipment and alarm systems.
F001F002F003F004F005F006Prohibition
Red circle with diagonal slash. Used to prohibit actions that create fire or safety risks.
P001P002P003P006Mandatory Action
Blue circle with white symbols. Used to indicate required actions or PPE in specific zones.
M001M002M004M015Warning / Hazard
Yellow/amber triangle with black symbols. Used to warn of specific hazards in an area.
W021W002W001W016W040First Aid
Green background with white cross/symbols. Used for medical emergency resources.
E003E012E004ISO 7010 Compliance Requirements by Sector
Offices & Commercial
NFPA 101 Ch. 38/39, IFC Ch. 10
- E001/E002 (exits)
- E006 (direction arrows)
- E007 (assembly point)
- F001 (extinguishers)
- F004 (pull stations)
Healthcare Facilities
NFPA 101 Ch. 18/19, CMS §482.41
- All office symbols +
- E003/E004 (first aid/stretcher)
- Medical gas shutoff symbols
- Smoke compartment markers
- E012 (AED)
Warehouses & Industrial
OSHA 1910.38, NFPA 1
- All office symbols +
- W001/W021 (flammable/fire hazard)
- W002 (explosive)
- Emergency stop symbols
- P001/P003 (no smoking/flames)
Restaurants & Assembly
NFPA 101 Ch. 12/13, NFPA 96
- All office symbols +
- F001 Class K (kitchen extinguisher)
- Hood suppression pull symbol
- Gas shutoff symbol
- Max occupancy marker
Put ISO 7010 Symbols on Your Evacuation Plan
Fabrik's evacuation plan editor includes 250+ symbols, among them the ISO 7010 E, F and M signs. Import your floor plan, drag the right symbols onto the plan, and export a print-ready PDF — all in minutes.
ISO 7010 Frequently Asked Questions
What is ISO 7010 and why does it matter for evacuation plans?
ISO 7010 is the international standard that defines graphical safety symbols — the pictograms used on evacuation plans, fire safety signs, and workplace hazard markings. It was created to ensure that safety symbols are universally recognized regardless of language, which is critical in international workplaces, tourist facilities, and public buildings. For evacuation plans, using ISO 7010 symbols means your plan will be understood by every occupant and every emergency responder who enters your building.
Are ISO 7010 symbols legally required in the United States?
ISO 7010 is not directly mandated by US federal law, but it is referenced in NFPA 170 (Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols) and is increasingly specified by AHJs (Authorities Having Jurisdiction). NFPA 101 and IFC require posted evacuation plans with clear symbols; ISO 7010 symbols satisfy this requirement. In practice, most modern fire safety software (including Fabrik) uses ISO 7010 symbols because they are internationally recognized and meet the intent of NFPA and IFC posting requirements.
What is the difference between the E, F, P, M, and W symbol categories?
ISO 7010 organizes symbols by their function: E symbols (green background) mark escape routes, exits, and emergency resources. F symbols (red background) indicate fire-fighting equipment like extinguishers and pull stations. P symbols (red circle with slash) prohibit dangerous actions like smoking. M symbols (blue circle) mandate required actions or PPE. W symbols (yellow triangle) warn of specific hazards. This color-and-shape coding system lets occupants immediately understand the meaning of any symbol even under stress.
How do I know which ISO 7010 symbols are required on my evacuation plan?
At minimum, every evacuation plan must include E001/E002 (emergency exit symbols), direction arrows (E006 variants), and the assembly point (E007). F001 (fire extinguisher locations) is required on most plans. Additional symbols depend on your occupancy type: healthcare facilities need medical gas shutoff symbols; warehouses with hazmat need W001/W021; industrial facilities need emergency stop symbols. Your local fire marshal or Authority Having Jurisdiction may specify additional requirements during plan review.
Can I download ISO 7010 symbols for free?
The ISO 7010 standard itself must be purchased from ISO or your national standards body (ANSI in the US). However, the symbol designs in common use are widely available. Fabrik's evacuation plan editor includes 250+ symbols, among them the ISO 7010 evacuation (E), fire (F) and mandatory action (M) signs, so you can drag and drop the right symbol onto your floor plan without needing to source individual SVG files.