4.3A Common use and operational signs: Appendix A, Standard signs

FIP Manual, March 1990

Note: Set out here are common use and operational signs that have been standardized for government wide use. This edition supersedes the January 1988 version. For information on the use of these signs within the signage system, consult section 4.3 of the Federal Identity Program Manual. For information on procurement, consult the Catalogue of Signs, Federal Identity Program, issued by Supply and Services Canada.

Verbal messages

Numbering system

A numbering system is used to distinguish the different types of signs. For example, a number beginning with a 3 stands for a caution sign.

To indicate the order of the official languages on a number given sign, the code letters E and F are used; numbers containing an E refer to English/French signs, and an F refers to French/English signs.

Index

1	Prohibition
1E.1.1 1E.1.2 1E.1.3 1E.1.4 1E.1.5 1E.1.6 1E.1.7	Do not enter No trespassing Authorized persons only Restricted Area Operations Zone, ... Security Zone, ... High security Zone, ...
1E.2.1 1E.2.2 1E.2.3	Food and beverages not permitted No smoking in elevators No smoking, except in ...
2	Mandatory
2E.1.1 2E.1.2 2E.1.3 2E.1.4 2E.1.5 2E.1.6 2E.1.7	Fire safety, keep door closed In case of fire, do not use elevators Do not open this door except in an emergency In case of fire, smoke, gas – Sound fire alarm ... In case of fire, smoke, gas – Alert the occupants ... Emergency exit – Press on bar for 3 seconds ... Emergency exit – Press on bar ...
3	Caution
3E.1.1 3E.1.2 3E.1.3 3E.1.4 3E.1.5	Caution! Open slowly Caution! Use handrail Watch your step Caution! Battery room Caution! Microwaves
4	Danger
4E.1.1 4E.1.2	Danger! Keep clear Danger! Keep hands off
5	Emergency
5E.1.5 5E.1.7	Emergency use only Emergency exit only
6	Guidance and information
6E.1.1 6E.1.2 6E.1.3 6E.1.4 6E.1.5 6E.1.6 6E.1.7 6E.1.8 6E.1.9 6E.1.10 6E.1.11 6E.1.12 6E.1.13 6E.1.14 6E.1.15 6E.1.16 6E.1.17 6E.1.18 6E.1. 19 6E.1.20 6E.1.21 6E.1.22	Information Reception Electrical room Waiting room Conference room Cloakroom Lockers Photocopier Library Records office Mail room Cafeteria Mechanical room Telephone equipment Shipping Receiving Shipping and receiving Deliveries at rear Storage Janitor Hours of operation, 08:00-16:00 Hours of operation, 08:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00
6E.2.1 6E.2.2 6E.2.3 6E.2.4 6E.2.5 6E.2.6 6E.2.7 6E.2.8 6E.2.9 6E.2.10 6E.2.11 6E.2.12 6E.2.13 6E.2.14 6E.2.15 6E.2.16 6E.2.17 6E.2.18	Entrance Exit Use other door Use revolving door Ring bell Closed Keep door closed Do not disturb Meeting in progress Out of order Not in use Opening this door will cause an alarm to sound Standpipe hose rack – Operating instructions ... Please discard sanitary napkins ... Fire alarm Fire door Fire escape Evacuation point for disabled persons

Type 1 Prohibition

1E.1.1	Do not enter	Entrée interdite
1E.1.2	No trespassing	Passage interdit
1E.1.3	Authorized persons only	Personnes autorisés
1E.1.4	Restricted Area Authorized persons only	Zone à accès limité Personnes autorisées
1E.1.5	Operations Zone Authorized persons only	Zone de travail Personnes autorisées
1E.1.6	Security Zone Authorized persons only	Zone de sécurité Personnes autorisées
1E.1.7	High security Zone Authorized persons only	Zone de haute sécurité Personnes autorisées
1E.2.1	Food and beverages not permitted	Nourriture et boissons interdites
1E.2.2	No smoking in elevators	Défense de fumer dans les ascenseurs
1E.2.3	No smoking except in designated areas	Défense de fumer sauf dans les endroits désignés à cette fin

Type 2 Mandatory

2E.1.1	Fire safety Keep door closed	Sécurité-incendie Garder la porte fermée
2E.1.2	In case of fire Do not use elevators	En cas d’incendie Ne pas utiliser les ascenseurs
2E.1.3	Do not open this door except in an emergency	N’ouvrir cette porte qu’en cas d’urgence
2E.1.4	In case of fire, smoke, gas – Sound fire alarm – Evacuate – Phone Fire Department	En cas de feu, fumée, gaz – Actionner l'avertisseur – Évacuer les lieux – Téléphoner au service des incendies
2E.1.5	In case of fire, smoke, gas – Alert the occupants – Evacuate – Phone Fire Department	En cas de feu, fumée, gaz – Alerter les occupants – Évacuer les lieux – Téléphoner au service des incendies
2E.1.6	Emergency exit Press on bar for 3 seconds Door lock will release in 15 seconds	Sortie de secours Appuyer sur la barre pendant 3 secondes Le dispositif de verrouillage se déclenchera dans 15 secondes
2E.1.7	Emergency exit Press on bar Door lock will release in 15 seconds	Sortie de secours Appuyer sur la barre Le dispositif de verrouillage se déclenchera dans 15 secondes

Type 3 Caution

3E.1.1	Caution! Open slowly	Attention! Ouvrir avec soin
3E.1.2	Caution! Use handrail	Attention! Tenir la rampe
3E.1.3	Watch your step	Attention à la marche
3E.1.4	Caution! Battery room	Attention! Salle d'accumulateurs
3E.1.5	Caution! Microwaves (Note 1)	Attention! Micro-ondes

Type 4 Danger

4E.1.1	Danger! Keep clear	Danger! Ne pas s’approcher
4E.1.2	Danger! Keep hands off	Danger! Attention à vos mains

Type 5 Emergency

5E.1.5	Emergency use only	Utiliser en cas d’urgence seulement
5E.1.7	Emergency exit only	Sortie de secours seulement

Type 6 Guidance and information

6E.1.1	Information	Renseignements
6E.1.2	Reception	Réception
6E.1.3	Electrical room	Local électrique
6E.1.4	Waiting areas	Salle d’attente
6E.1.5	Conference room	Salle de conférences
6E.1.6	Cloakroom	Vestiaire
6E.1.7	Lockers	Cases
6E.1.8	Photocopier	Photocopieur
6E.1.9	Library	Bibliothèque
6E.1.10	Records office	Bureau des dossiers
6E.1.11	Mail room	Salle du courrier
6E.1.12	Cafeteria	Cafétéria
6E.1.13	Mechanical room	Local technique
6E.1.14	Telephone equipment	Équipement téléphonique
6E.1.15	Shipping	Expédition
6E.1.16	Receiving	Réception
6E.1.17	Shipping and receiving	Expédition et réception
6E.1.18	Deliveries at rear	Livraison à l’arrière
6E.1.19	Storage	Entreposage
6E.1.20	Janitor	Concierge
6E.1.21	Hours of operation	Heures d’affaires
	08:00-16:00
6E.1.22	Hours of operation	Heures d’affaires
	08:00-12:00 13:00-16:30
6E.2.1	Entrance	Entrée
6E.2.2	Exit	Sortie
6E.2.3	Use other door (Note 2)	Utiliser l’autre porte
6E.2.4	Use revolving door	Utiliser la porte tournante
6E.2.5	Ring bell	Sonner
6E.2.6	Closed	Fermé
6E.2.7	Keep door closed	Garder la porte fermée
6E.2.8	Do not disturb (Note 3)	Ne pas déranger
6E.2.9	Meeting in progress (Note 3)	Réunion en cours
6E.2.10	Out of order (Note 3)	Défectueux
6E.2.11	Not in use (Note 3)	Hors d’usage
6E.2.12	Opening this door will cause an alarm to sound	L’ouverture de cette porte déclenchera une alarme
6E.2.13	Standpipe hose rack Operating instructions ...	Support de tuyau à colonne montante Mode d'emploi ...
6E.2.14	Please discard sanitary napkins and tampons in container provided for this purpose and not in toilet bowl	Veuillez jeter les serviettes hygiéniques ainsi que les tampons dans le récipient prévu à cette fin et non dans la cuvette
6E.2.15	Fire alarm	Avertisseur d’incendie
6E.2.16	Fire door	Porte coupe-feu
6E.2.17	Fire escape	Escalier de secours
6E.2.18	Evacuation point for disabled persons	Point d’évacuation des personnes handicapées

---

Note 1 - This message is intended for persons using heart pacemakers.

Note 2 - This message should be used in conjunction with a directional arrow.

Note 3 - This Message is intended for temporary use only.

---

Graphic symbols

Set out here are the symbols adopted to date. Each symbol is identified by its number and the referent, i.e. what the symbol stands for; also described is the function of the symbol.

Numbering system

A numbering system is used to distinguish the different types of symbols. The first digit stands for the type of symbol, the second refers to the sub group, and the last digit identifies a particular symbol.

“a” and “b” versions of certain symbols

A number followed by the letters “a, b” indicates the existence of two versions. The “a” version of the symbol faces right and the “b” version is reversed, facing left.

The two versions are provided to avoid conflict of directionality when the symbol is used in conjunction with an arrow. The direction inherent in the image of the symbol must be the same as that of the arrow.

Only the “a” versions are shown in this appendix.

Index

1	Prohibition
1.1.1 1.1.2	Access Buses prohibited Dogs prohibited
1.2.1 1.2.2 1.2.3 1.2.4	Activities Smoking prohibited Parking prohibited Camping prohibited Picnics prohibited
2	Mandatory
2.1.1 2.1.2 2.1.3 2.1.4 2.1.5 2.1.6	Protective apparel Head protection must be worn Eye protection must be worn Hearing protection must be worn Hand protection must be worn Foot protection must be worn Breathing protection must be worn
3	Caution
3.1.1 3.1.2 3.1.3 3.1.4 3.1.5	Potential hazards Caution, safety lane Caution, slippery floor Caution, overhead crane Caution! be alert Caution, presence of ionizing radiation
4	Danger
4.1.1 4.1.2 4.1.3 4.1.4 4.1.5 4.1.6	Definite hazards Danger, flammable Danger, electrical hazard Danger, poison Danger, explosion hazard Danger, chemical burn Danger, presence of etiologic agents
5	Emergency
5.1.1 5.1.2 5.1.3	Fire fighting equipment Fire extinguisher Fire hose Fire axe
5.2.1a,b 5.2.2 5.2.3 5.2.4	First aid First aid Stretcher Emergency shower Emergency eyewash
	General Emergency telephone
6	Guidance and information
6.1.1 6.1.2 6.1.3 6.1.4a,b 6.1.6 6.1.7a,b 6.1.8a,b 6.1.9 6.1.10 6.1.11 6.1.12 6.1.13a,b 6.1.14a,b 6.1.15 6.1.16 6.1.17a,b 6.1.18a,b 6.1.19 6.1.20 6.1.21 6.1.22 6.1.23 6.1.24 6.1.25 6.1.26 6.1.27a,b 6.1.28 6.1.29 6.1.30 6.1.31 6.1.32	Publics services Toilet for men Toilet for women Toilet for men and women Access for the physically handicapped Police Bus Car Telephone Parking Elevator for people Elevator for freight Stairs, up Stairs, down Stairs Escalator Escalator, up Escalator, down Postal facilities Currency exchange Cloakroom Waste disposal Shower Baggage, general Baggage locker Baggage cart Truck Access for the hearing impaired Drinking fountain Information Services in both official languages, English/Français Services in both official languages, Français/English
6.2.1 6.2.2 6.2.3 6.2.4 6.2.5a,b	Public transportation Bus transportation Taxi transportation Bus and taxi transportation Air transportation Helicopter transportation
6.4.1 6.4.2 6.4.3 6.4.4	Concessions Coffee shop Restaurant Car rental Gasoline station
6.5.1 6.5.2	Recreation Camping area Picnic area
6.6.3	General Smoking permitted

Type 1 Prohibition

1.1.1 - Buses prohibited
To indicate an area where buses are prohibited.

1.1.2 - Dogs prohibited
To indicate an area where dogs are prohibited.

1.2.1 - Smoking prohibited
To indicate an area where smoking is prohibited.

1.2.2 - Parking prohibited
To indicate an area where parking is prohibited.

1.2.3 - Camping prohibited
To indicate an area where camping is prohibited.

1.2.4 - Picnics prohibited
To indicate an area where picnics are prohibited.

Type 2 Mandatory

2.1.1 - Head protection must be worn
To indicate an area where the wearing of head protection is mandatory.

2.1.2 - Eye protection must be worn
To indicate an area where the wearing of eye protection is mandatory.

2.1.3 - Hearing protection must be worn
To indicate an area where the wearing of hearing protection is mandatory.

2.1.4 - Hand protection must be worn
To indicate an area where the wearing of hand protection is mandatory.

2.1.5 - Foot protection must be worn
To indicate an area where the wearing of foot protection is mandatory.

2.1.6 - Breathing protection must be worn
To indicate an area where the wearing of breathing protection is mandatory.

Type 3 Caution

3.1.1 - Caution, safety lane
To indicate the location of a safety lane.

3.1.2 - Caution, slippery floor
To indicate the presence of slippery floor conditions. (Note 1)

3.1.3 - Caution, overhead crane
To indicate the presence of an overhead crane.

3.1.4 - Caution, be alert!
To indicate the presence of a potential hazard due to a temporary condition. (Note 2)

3.1.5 - Caution, presence of ionizing radiation
To indicate the actual or potential presence of ionizing radiation and to identify objects, devices, materials, or combinations of materials which emit ionizing radiation. (Note 3)

Type 4 Danger

4.1.1 - Danger, flammable
To indicate the presence of a flammable substance.

4.1.2 - Danger, electrical hazard
To indicate the presence of electric current which may be a definite hazard.

4.1.3 - Danger, poison
To indicate the presence of a poisonous substance.

4.1.4 - Danger, explosion hazard
To indicate the presence of an explosive substance.

4.1.5 - Danger, chemical burn
To indicate the presence of a highly corrosive chemical.

4.1.6 - Danger, presence of etiologic agents
To indicate the presence of such micro-organisms as viruses, bacteria, fungi and molds; commonly referred to as etiologic agents. (Note 4)

Type 5 Emergency

5.1.1 - Fire extinguisher
To indicate the location of a fire extinguisher.

5.1.2 - Fire hose
To indicate the location of a fire hose.

5.1.3 - Fire axe
To indicate the location of a fire axe.

5.2.1 a,b - First aid
To indicate the location of a facility providing first aid, e.g. a first aid kit or a first aid station.

5.2.2 - Stretcher
To indicate the loaction of a stretcher.

5.2.3 - Emergency shower
To indicate the location of an emergency shower.

5.2.4 - Emergency eyewash
To indicate the location of an emergency eyewash facility.

5.3.1 - Emergency telephone
To indicate the location of an emergency telephone.

Type 6 Guidance and Information

6.1.1 - Toilet for men
To indicate a toilet facility which is intended for men only.

6.1.2 - Toilet for women
To indicate a toilet facility which is intended for women only.

6.1.3 - Toilet for men and women
To indicate a toilet facility which is intended for men and women. This symbol may also serve as an advance sign to indicate the location of separate facilities.

6.1.4 a,b - Access for the physically handicapped
To indicate a facility accessible to, usable by, or intended for persons whose mobility is restricted by a physical handicap.

6.1.6 - Police
To indicate the location of a police force or security staff.

6.1.7 a,b - Bus
To indicate a facility specifically designed or intended for buses.

6.1.8 a,b - Car
To indicate a facility specifically designed or intended for cars.

6.1.9 - Telephone
To indicate the location of a public telephone.

6.1.10 - Parking
To indicate an area where vehicles may be parked.

6.1.11 - Elevator for people
To indicate the location of an elevator for people.

6.1.12 - Elevator for freight
To indicate the location of an elevator for freight.

6.1.13 a,b - Stairs, up
To indicate the location of stairs which lead to an upper level.

6.1.14 a,b - Stairs, down
To indicate the location of stairs which lead to a lower level.

6.1.15 - Stairs
To indicate the location of stairs.

6.1.16 - Escalator
To indicate the location of escalators which provide transportation to an upper or lower level. (Note 5)

6.1.17 a,b - Escalator, up
To indicate the location of an escalator which provides transportation to an upper level.

6.1.18 a,b - Escalator, down
To indicate the location of an escalator which provides transportation to a lower level.

6.1.19 - Postal facilities
To indicate the location of a facility which provides postal service, i.e. any type of facility from a post office to a mail box.

6.1.20 - Currency exchange
To indicate the location of a facility where currency may be exchanged.

6.1.21 - Clockroom
To indicate the location where clothing may be kept.

6.1.22 - Waste disposal
To indicate the location of a receptacle for the disposal of waste.

6.1.23 - Shower
To indicate the location of a shower.

6.1.24 - Baggage, general
To indicate the location of baffage-related functions.

6.1.25 - Baggage locker
To indicate the location where lockable space for baggage is for rent.

6.1.26 - Baggage cart
To indicate the location where baggage carts are available.

6.1.27 a,b - Truck
To indicate a facility specifically designed or intended for trucks.

6.1.28 - Access for the hearing impaired
To indicate a facility or service that is equipped to serve persons with a hearing impairment.

6.1.29 - Drinking fountain
To indicate the location of a drinking fountain.

6.1.30 - Information
To indicate the location of a facility or service that provides information.

6.1.31 - Services in both official languages
To indicate the availability of government services in both official languages.

6.1.32 - Services in both official languages
To indicate the availability of government services in both official languages.

6.2.1 - Bus transportation
To indicate the location where transportation by bus is available, i.e. a bus terminal or a bus stop.

6.2.2 - Taxi transportation
To indicate the location where transportation by taxi is available, e.g. a taxi stand.

6.2.3 - Bus and taxi transportation
To indicate the location where transportation by bus and taxi is available.

6.2.4 - Air transportation
To indicate the location of air transportation. (Note 6)

6.2.5 a,b - Helicopter transportation
To indicate the location where transportation by helicopter is available.

6.4.1 - Coffee Shop
To indicate the location of a coffee shop.

6.4.2 - Restaurant
To indicate the location of a restaurant which provides full service.

6.4.3 - Car rental
To indicate the location of car rental facilities.

6.4.4 - Gasoline station
To indicate the location where motor vehicles may be refueled.

6.5.1 - Camping area
To indicate an area where camping is permitted.

6.5.2 Picnic area
To indicate an area where picnic tables are available.

6.6.3 - Smoking permitted
To indicate an area where smoking is permitted.

---

Note 1 - This sign is intended for temporary used and shall only be displayed while the slippery conditions exist.

Note 2 - This sign shall only be used temporarily while the hazardous condition exists.

Note 3 - For further details refer to CSA Standard Z69-1960, Specification for a radiation symbol.

Note 4 - This symbol is used to identify laboratories and storage areas where etiologic agents are kept. Users of this symbol are cautioned that it is not generally understood by the public. In situations where the symbol is used in public space, additional hazard information must be provided to ensure public safety. In lieu of the term "etiologic agent", the message may refer to "infectious substance" which is considered to be more easily understood.

Note 5 - This symbol serves as an advance sign where indication of direction (up or down) is not required, or to indicate the location of an escalator whose direction is altered depending on peak demand of traffic flow.

Note 6 - The inherent directionality of this image must be considered when the symbol is used in conjunction with a directional arrow. The symbol should be rotated as required to provide consistency in the directionality of the elements.

---

Directional arrows

An “arrow sign” is used to convey direction in conjunction with a sign bearing text or a graphic symbol. Two signs, D1 for cardinal points and D2 for collateral points, have been developed for this purpose. The arrow is centered on a square, modular sign, permitting a variety of ways in which message and direction can be displayed.

“Arrow signs” are available in the standard green, dark grey and blue colours used for “emergency” and “guidance and information” signs. When displayed together, the colours of the “arrow sign” must be the same as the sign bearing the message.

D1 - Indication of direction, cardinal points

           

D2 - Indication of direction, collateral points