AS 13181985

Australian Standard
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This Australian standard was prepared by Committee SF/5, Industrial Warning Signs. It was approved on behalf of the Council of the Standards Association of Australia on 27 December 1984 and published on 3 May 1985.

The following interests are represented on Committee SF/5: Australian and New Zealand Society of Occupational Medicine Bureau of Steel Manufacturers of Australia Confederation of Australian Industry Department of Defence Department of Employment and Industrial Relations Department of Labour, S.A. Department of Industrial Relations, N.S.W. Electricity Supply Association of Australia Ethnic Affairs Commission, N.S.W. Ministry of Employment and Training, Vic. National Safety Council of Australia Railways of Australia Committee Safety Institute of Australia The Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy University of Sydney

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Review of Australian Standards. To keep abreast of progress in industry, Australian Standards are subject to periodic review and are kept up to date by the issue of amendments or new edit ions as necessary. It is important therefore that Standards users ensure that they are in possession of the latest edit ion, and any amendments thereto. Full detail s of all Australi an Standards and related publications will be found in the Standards Australi a Catalogue of Publications; this information is supplemented each month by the magazine The Australi an Standard, which subscribing members receive, and which gives details of new publications, new editi ons and amendments, and of withdrawn Standards. Suggesti ons for improvements to Australian Standards, addressed to the head offi ce of Standards Australi a, are welcomed. Noti fi cati on of any inaccuracy or ambiguity found in an Australian Standard should be made without delay in order that the matter may be investigated and appropriate action taken.

This standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 84035.

AS 13181985

Australian Standard
This document has expired. To access the current document, please go to your on-line service. USE OF COLOUR FOR THE Please note that material accessed via ourOF on-line subscription services is MARKING PHYSICAL not intended for off-line storage, and such storage is contrary to the HAZARDS AND THE licence under which the service is supplied. IDENTIFICATION OF CERTAIN EQUIPMENT IN INDUSTRY
known as the

SAA INDUSTRIAL SAFETY COLOUR CODE

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First publi shed (as AS CZ 3) . . . . AS 1318 fi rst published . . . . . . . . Second editi on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reprinted incorporating amendment

.... .. .. .. .. .. ... ... . ... ...... . . . . January .. .. .... .

1952 1972 1985 1986 1986

PUBLISHED BY STANDARDS AUSTRALIA (STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA) 1 THE CRESCENT, HOMEBUSH, NSW 2140
ISBN 0 7262 3682 9

AS 13181985

PREFACE
This edition of this standard was prepared by the Associations Committee on Industrial Warning Signs, under the direction of the Safety Standards Board, to supersede AS 13181972. The standard is intended to provide rules for the use of certain colours for the marking of physical hazards and for the identification of certain equipment in industry. Such colour coding should form an integral part of the total safety information system of any occupational environment. Attention is drawn to the fact that education and training are an essential part of any system for giving safety information and that implementation of colour coding in accordance with this standard does not replace the need for proper accident prevention measures. The principal changes in this edition are as follows: (a) Reference to AS K185, Colours for Specific Purposes, has been deleted and the colours have been specified in terms of chromaticity coordinates and photometric properties. In addition, colours listed in AS 2700 and BS 5252 and known to fall within the coordinates (colour boxes) are listed. (b) The colour for emergency exit signs is now green (i.e. safe condition) in lieu of red. This change is in agreement with that introduced in AS 1319, Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment, AS 2293, Emergency Evacuation Lighting in Buildings and in ISO 3864, Safety Colours and Safety Signs.

CONTENTS This document has expired. To access the current document, please go to Page your on-line service. SECTION 1. SCOPE AND GENERAL Please note that material 1.1 Scope . . . . . . . . accessed . . . . . . . . . . . . . via . . . . .our . . . . .on-line . . . . . . . . . subscription ............. 3 services is 1.2 Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 not intended 1.3 for Referenced off-line storage, such storage Documents . . . . and .. ... . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . is . . . contrary . . . . . . . . . . to 3 the 1.4 Colour Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 licence under service 1.5which Contrastthe Colours . . . . . . . . is . . . supplied. ..... ..... .................. .... .. 3
1.6 Materials Used and their Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 SECTION 2. APPLICATION AND E XAMPLES OF RED 2.1 Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2 Typical Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SECTION 3. APPLICATION AND E XAMPLES OF Y ELLOW 3.1 Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.2 Typical Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SECTION 4. APPLICATION AND E XAMPLES OF G REEN 4.1 Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.2 Typical Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SECTION 5. APPLICATION AND E XAMPLES OF BLUE 5.1 Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.2 Typical Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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4 4

5 5

5 5

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APPENDIX A. PHOTOMETRIC AND COLORIMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE MATERIALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Copyri ght STANDARDS AUSTRALIA Users of Standards are reminded that copyri ght subsists in all Standards Australi a publications and soft ware. Except where the Copyri ght Act allows and except where provided for below no publications or software produced by Standards Australi a may be reproduced, stored in a retri eval system in any form or tr ansmit ted by any means without pri or permission in wri ti ng fr om Standards Australi a. Permission may be conditi onal on an appropriate royalt y payment. Requests for permission and information on commercial soft ware royalti es should be dir ected to the head off ice of Standards Australi a. Standards Australi a wil l permit up to 10 percent of the technical content pages of a Standard to be copied for use exclusively in-house by purchasers of the Standard without payment of a royalty or advice to Standards Austr alia. Standards Australi a wil l also permit the inclusion of it s copyri ght material in computer soft ware programs for no royalty payment provided such programs are used exclusively in-house by the creators of the programs. Care should be taken to ensure that materi al used is fr om the curr ent editi on of the Standard and that it is updated whenever the Standard is amended or revised. The number and date of the Standard should therefore be clearly identif ied. The use of material in pri nt form or in computer soft ware programs to be used commercially, with or without payment, or in commercial contracts is subject to the payment of a royalty. This policy may be vari ed by Standards Austr alia at any ti me.

AS 13181985

STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA Australian Standard for USE OF COLOUR FOR THE MARKING OF PHYSICAL HAZARDS AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF CERTAIN EQUIPMENT IN INDUSTRY SECTION 1. SCOPE AND GENERAL
1.1 the (a) (b) SCOPE. This standard sets out requirements for use of certain colours for the marking of physical hazards; the identification of certain equipment in industry to be used in connection with accident prevention; and (c) general information signs. 1.2 APPLICATION. The standard shall be applied in conjunction with the relevant provisions of safety standards issued from time to time by the Standards Association of Australia. It is not intended that the standard be applied in a manner conflicting with any statutory regulations or generally accepted standards or regulations relating to the use of colour for the identification of services in buildings or on premises, and in this connection attention is drawn to the following Australian standards: AS 1169, AS 1319, AS 1216, AS 1345, AS 1742, AS 1743, AS 1849 and AS Z29. 1.4 COLOUR STANDARDS. The actual colour used shall comply with the colorimetric and, where appropriate, the photometric requirements specified in Appendix A.
NOTE: Although the colours specif ied in this standard are in terms of specif ied coordinates, colours li sted in AS 2700 and BS 5252 and known to fall within the coordinates (colour boxes), are also li sted in Table 1.1.

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1.3 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS. The following standards are referred to in this standard: AS 1169 Minimizing of Combustion Hazards Arising from the Medical Use of Flammable Anaesthetic Agents AS 1216 Classification, Hazard Identification and Information Systems for Dangerous Goods (all parts) AS 1319 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment AS 1345 Identification of the Contents of Piping, Conduits and Ducts AS 1742 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices Part 1Description and Use of Elemental Traffic Control Devices Part 2Application of Traffic Control Devices to Traffic Situations AS 1743 Road Signs AS 1849 Identification Colours for Portable Fire Extinguishers AS 1906 Retroreflective Materials and Devices for Road Traffic Control Purposes Part 1Retroreflective Materials AS 2700 Colour Standards for Paints and Related Materials AS Z29 Recommendations for Pictorial Markings for the Handling of Packages BS 5252 Framework for Colour Coordination for Building Purposes.
18D45 20D44 20D45 18E53 20E53

TABLE 1.1 COLOUR REFERENCES

1.5 CONTRAST COLOURS. If a contrast colour is required to improve the visibility of the safety colour or identified object, it shall be white or black, as shown in Table 1.2. The contrast colour for white shall be black, and the contrast colour for black shall be white. TABLE 1.2 CONTRAST COLOURS
Safety Colour Red Yell ow Green Blue Contrast Colour Whit e Black Whit e Whit e

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1.6 MATERIALS USED AND THEIR APPLICATION. The colours should be prepared with materials having an appropriate colour stability under expected conditions of use. Safety colours should be applied so as to be clearly visible in all circumstances, and generally on a limited scale, so as not to interfere with colour schemes in which colours are applied to relatively large surfaces. Safety colours, with or without white or black as contrasts, can be directly applied on objects or on safety signs.

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AS 13181985

SECTION 2. APPLICATION AND EXAMPLES OF RED

2.1 APPLICATIONS. Red shall be the basic or background colour, used alone or in conjunction with white lettering, stripes, or edging, to identify or indicate the location of (a) danger; (b) fire protection equipment and apparatus; (c) stop buttons and emergency stop controls. 2.2 TYPICAL EXAMPLES. The following is a partial list of appropriate applications of red in accordance with Clause 2.1: (a) Danger. (i) Flashing red lights at rail crossings. (ii) Danger and prohibition signs (see AS 1319). (b) Fire protection equipment and apparatus. (i) Fire alarms and boxes. (ii) Boxes for fire blankets and fire proximity suits. (iii) Fire buckets. (iv) Positions of fire extinguishers.
wall or support to indicate the locati on. Identi fi cati on colours for the vari ous types of fir e exti nguisher are given in AS 1849.

(v)

Position of fire hose, reels and fire hydrants.

NOTE: The colour should be used on the reel, supports or housing but not on the hose.

(vi) Fire pumps. (vii) Valve locations for all fire services. (viii) Sprinkler piping, coloured red throughout its length or with red pipeline markers appropriately spaced (see AS 1345). (ix) Location of any other equipment to be used in a fire emergency and which is not normally used in the routine processes. (c) Stop buttons and emergency stop controls. (i) Stop buttons for electrical switches used for normal and emergency stopping of machinery. (ii) Emergency stop bars on hazardous machines. (iii) Emergency stop controls of any description.

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AS 13181985

SECTION 3. APPLICATION AND EXAMPLES OF YELLOW

3.1 APPLICATIONS. Yellow shall be the basic or background colour, used alone or in conjunction with black for marking the following: (a) Places where caution should be exercised and where cautionary notices of a general nature should be displayed.
NOTE: See AS 1319 for requirements for cauti on (warning) signs.

(b) Places where cautionary notices warning of hazards from radioactive sources should be displayed. Solid yellow, yellow and black stripes, or yellow and black checks should be used interchangeably, using the combination which will create the best attention in the particular environment.
NOTE: The indiscri minate use of yellow or yell ow in conjunction with black is li kely to detract fr om its value and due care must be exercised in the use of this colour for the marking of hazards.

(vii) Coverings on guards for guy wires. (viii) Pillars, posts or columns which might be struck. (ix) Barrier rails and top and bottom treads of stairways where caution is needed; also, temporary barricades. (x) Location and widths of aisleways and traffic markings. (xi) To draw attention to hazards which have been created by the unfastening or removal of guards or covers of industrial machinery. This may include the marking of the interior of the guard or cover and appropriate areas of the exposed hazard.
NOTE: If the yellow and black combination cit ed above is not satisfactory or adequate, a special distinctive contrasting colour may be used.

This document has expired. To access the current document, please go to (xii) The horizontal lips of vertically sliding your on-line service. counterbalance lift doors. 3.2 TYPICAL EXAMPLES. The following is a Please partial note material accessed on-line subscription services is listthat of appropriate applications of yellow in via our (xiii) Vertical edge of horizontally sliding pairs accordance with Clause 3.1: of fire doors. not intended for off-line storage, and such storage is contrary to the (a) Places where caution should be exercised. (b) Where radiation hazards from radioactive (i) Industrial locomotives, mobile plant or licence under which the service is supplied. materials exist.
(ii) suitable areas thereon. Flashing yellow, markings at barricades, at temporary constructions or on mobile equipment. Low pulley blocks and crane hooks. Fixtures suspended from ceilings or walls which extend into normal operating areas. Markings for projections, low doorways, travelling conveyors, beams and low pipes (see AS 1345). Corner marker for storage piles. (i) Rooms and areas (outside or inside buildings) where radioactive materials are stored or handled, or which have been contaminated with radioactive materials. (ii) Burial grounds and storage areas for contaminated materials and equipment. (iii) Disposal cans for contaminated materials. (iv) Containers of radioactive materials. (v) Contaminated equipment that is not placed in special storage.

(iii) (iv) (v)

(vi)

SECTION 4. APPLICATION AND EXAMPLES OF GREEN

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4.1 APPLICATIONS. Green used in conjunction with white shall be the colour used for denoting safety and for indicating the location of safety and first aid equipment (other than firefighting equipment). Green and white in panels, green and white stripes, and green edging to a white area and solid white on green should be used according to local conditions. Green should be the basic or background colour for starting buttons and similar applications. 4.2 TYPICAL EXAMPLES. The following is a

partial list of appropriate applications of green and white in accordance with Clause 4.1: (a) Location of first aid facilities, including stretchers. (b) Location of respiratory protective equipment and rescue equipment. (c) Safety deluge showers or their location. (d) Exit signs. (e) Safety instructions signs.
NOTE: See AS 1319 for emergency-r elated informati on signs.

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AS 13181985

SECTION 5. APPLICATION AND EXAMPLES OF BLUE

5.1 APPLICATIONS. Blue shall be used as the basic or background colour with white lettering for marking the following: (a) Mandatory instructions to be followed (see AS 1319 for mandatory action signs). (b) Places where it is desired to convey information of a general nature. 5.2 TYPICAL EXAMPLES 5.2.1 Mandatory (obligation) Signs. AS 1319 specifies the use of the colour blue for symbolic signs depicting locations where personal protective equipment must be worn. Examples are as follows: (a) Head protection must be worn. (b) Hearing protection must be worn. (c) Foot protection must be worn. 5.2.2 Information Signs. Information signs are used at those places and on subjects where there is no specific hazard. The following is a partial list of appropriate applications of blue in accordance with Clause 5.1(b): (a) Parking areas. (b) Equipment storage. (c) Toilets. (d) Offices. (e) Entrances. (f) Locker rooms. 5.2.3 Physical Markings. Blue stripes may be used on the floor to indicate those premises or parts thereof in which the wearing of personal protective equipment is necessary.

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AS 13181985

APPENDIX A

PHOTOMETRIC AND COLORIMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE MATERIALS

A1 COLOUR DESIGNATION. The safety colours listed in this standard are considered to be within coordinates specified in Table A1 and as shown in Fig. A1. A2 RETROREFLECTIVE MATERIAL. The colorimetric and photometric properties of retroreflective material used in signs shall comply with AS 1906, Part 1.

TABLE A1 COLOUR COORDINATES*

Chromacity coordinates of corner points determining the permit ted colour area ill uminant: Standard ill uminant D65 (45/0 geometry) 1 Red x y 0.690 0.310 2 0.595 0.315 3 0.569 0.341 4 0.655 0.345 Luminance factor for ordinary materials

Colour

0.07 This document has expired. To access the current document, please go to Blue x 0.078 0.150 0.210 0.137 0.05 your on-line service. y 0.171 0.220 0.160 0.038 Yell ow x 0.519 0.468 0.45 Please note that material accessed via our 0.427 on-line0.465 subscription services is y 0.480 0.442 0.483 0.534 not intended for off-line storage, and such storage is contrary to the Green x 0.230 0.291 0.248 0.007 0.12 y 0.754 0.438 0.409 0.703 licence under which the service Whit e x 0.350 is supplied. 0.300 0.290 0.340 0.75 y Black x y 0.360 0.385 0.355 0.310 0.300 0.270 0.320 0.260 0.310 0.370 0.345 0.395 0.03

* The numbers refer to CIE (Commission Internationale de l Eclair age) Vocabulary Publi cati on No 17, 1970, International Lighti ng Vocabulary.

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AS 13181985

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Fig. A1. BO UN DA RIES FOR RE D, YELLOW, GRE EN , BLUE, WHITE AN D BLAC K ORD INAR Y SU RFAC E COLOUR S

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