Overview
ISO 17398:2004 - "Safety colours and safety signs - Classification, performance and durability of safety signs" - defines a performance-related classification and test framework for safety signs. It enables manufacturers, suppliers and purchasers to describe and agree on service environment, materials, photometric properties, illumination method, fixing method and surface finish so that durability and expected service life are specified at delivery. The standard covers classification, performance criteria and test methods for ordinary, retroreflective and phosphorescent safety signs. It does not cover electrical power supplies or properties of illuminating components.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Classification system by:
- Service environment: Interior (I), Exterior (E), Special (S)
- Principal material: Rigid (R), Flexible (F), Plastic (P), Metal (M), Other (O)
- Photometric property: Retroreflective (R), Ordinary (O), Phosphorescent (P)
- Illumination: External (E), Internal/transilluminated (T), Both (B)
- Fixing method: Mechanical (M), Pressure-sensitive adhesive (P), Alternative (A)
- Surface gloss: High (H), Intermediate (I), Low (L)
- Product description requirements: full material/construction details, photometric layer construction, colourimetry (per ISO 3864‑1), expected service life and storage/maintenance instructions.
- Performance tests and criteria: photometric measurements, luminance decay for phosphorescent signs (sub-classifications PA–PD), retroreflective subclasses (R1/R2), mechanical and environmental durability (impact, abrasion, UV/exposure, salt spray, adhesive strength).
- Referenced test methods: ISO/IEC and CIE standards for colour/luminance, ISO 4892 (light exposure), ISO 9227 (salt spray), ISO 2813 (gloss), IEC glow-wire and impact tests, among others.
Applications and who uses it
ISO 17398 is practical for:
- Sign manufacturers and converters specifying product construction, photometric layers and expected service life.
- Procurement teams and purchasers who need objective performance classes when buying safety signs.
- Safety managers, facility owners and installers selecting signs for workplaces, public areas, emergency way guidance and harsh environments.
- Testing laboratories and certifiers performing the durability and photometric tests required for acceptance criteria.
Using ISO 17398 helps ensure consistent, durable and auditable safety signage performance across different environments and reduces lifecycle risks from fading, delamination or insufficient luminance.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 17398:2004, safety signs, safety colours, classification, photometric properties, phosphorescent, retroreflective, fixing methods, durability, expected service life.
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