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IS 12407:1988 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for graphic symbols for fire protection plans. This standard specifies graphical symbols for use in fire protection plans, drawings, and maps. It provides a standardized set of symbols for fire fighting equipment, alarm systems, and structural fire protection features to ensure clarity and consistency. The aim is to facilitate quick and accurate interpretation of fire safety information by designers, installers, and emergency responders.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Always include a legend on the drawing that explains all the symbols used, as per the standard's recommendation.
! Ensure symbols are drawn to a consistent scale and are clearly distinguishable, especially on complex floor plans.
! The standard provides guidance on using colors (e.g., red for fire-fighting equipment) to enhance legibility; this should be followed where possible.
NFPA 170 (2021 Edition)National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), USA
HighCurrent
Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols
Provides graphical symbols for fire safety, emergency, and associated plans and diagrams.
ISO 6790:1986International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International
HighWithdrawn
Equipment for fire protection and fire fighting — Graphical symbols for fire protection plans — Specification
Historically, this was the direct international equivalent for building fire protection plan symbols.
BS 1635:1990British Standards Institution (BSI), UK
HighWithdrawn
Graphical symbols and abbreviations for fire protection drawings
Provided symbols specifically for UK fire protection drawings, very similar in intent to IS 12407.
DIN 14095:2023-01Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), Germany
MediumCurrent
Fire brigade plans for buildings
Covers the entire content and layout of plans for fire brigades, including the use of symbols (which often reference ISO 7010).
Key Differences
≠IS 12407:1988 is a significantly older standard and has not been updated with symbols for modern fire protection systems (e.g., advanced suppression agents, complex networked alarm systems) which are present in current standards like NFPA 170.
≠The symbolic design philosophy in IS 12407 often relies on text (e.g., a circle with 'S' for smoke detector) and abstract shapes, whereas modern standards like NFPA 170 and ISO 7010 favor more pictorial, language-independent symbols that have undergone usability testing.
≠NFPA 170 has a broader scope, covering symbols for emergency management mapping and hazardous materials in addition to building fire protection, making it more comprehensive than the more narrowly focused IS 12407.
≠International standards like NFPA 170 are frequently updated (every 3-5 years), ensuring they remain current with technology and best practices, while IS 12407 has not undergone a similar revision cycle.
Key Similarities
≈All standards share the primary objective of providing a standardized set of graphical symbols for clear and unambiguous representation of fire protection equipment on architectural and engineering plans.
≈The fundamental symbols for common equipment such as portable fire extinguishers, fire hose reels, and basic sprinkler heads are conceptually similar or visually comparable across all standards.
≈The standards generally organize symbols into logical categories, such as detection equipment, extinguishing systems, alarm devices, and control elements.
≈All standards prescribe the placement of these symbols on a floor plan or site plan to indicate the precise location of the corresponding fire safety equipment.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Manual Fire Alarm Call Point
A square containing a smaller solid square (representing break-glass).
A square containing a pictogram of a hand pressing a button.
NFPA 170
Smoke Detector
A circle with the letter 'S' inside.
A circle with text characters indicating type (e.g., 'S' for smoke, 'P' for photoelectric, 'I' for ionization).
NFPA 170
Upright Sprinkler Head
A circle with a central dot, with the letter 'U' placed above it.
A circle with a central dot, with a short vertical line extending upwards from the top of the circle.
NFPA 170
Portable Fire Extinguisher
A pictogram of a fire extinguisher within a square.
A similar pictogram of a fire extinguisher, often accompanied by letters indicating the fire class (A, B, C, K).
NFPA 170
Fire Department Connection (FDC)
Two small circles connected by a Y-shaped line, often with 'FHC' (Fire Hose Cabinet) used for inlets.
A circle with a 'Y' inside it or two connected circles with filled centers. Explicitly labeled 'FDC'.
NFPA 170
Fire Hydrant
A circle with a cross in the center, with two short lines extending from the horizontal bar.
A circle with a solid center and two short perpendicular lines (lugs) on opposite sides.
NFPA 170
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values0
No quick reference values available for this code yet.
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Basic symbols
Table 2 - Symbols for fire extinguishing equipment
Table 3 - Symbols for fixed installations for fire extinguishment
Table 4 - Symbols for fire detection and fire alarm systems
Key Clauses
Clause 3 - General principles
Clause 4 - Basic symbols
Clause 5 - Symbols for fire extinguishing equipment
Clause 6 - Symbols for fire alarm and detection systems
Clause 7 - Symbols for fire protection of the building
Frequently Asked Questions4
What is the standard symbol for a portable fire extinguisher?+
A square containing a stylized image of an extinguisher. The specific type (e.g., Water, Foam, CO2) is indicated by patterns or text as defined in Table 2.
How is a manual fire alarm call point represented?+
It is represented by a square containing a smaller, solid-filled square at its center, as shown in Table 4.
Does this code specify the size of the symbols?+
No, the standard does not specify absolute dimensions but emphasizes that symbols should be large enough to be easily legible and should be used consistently throughout the plans.
How should a fire-resistant door be shown on a plan?+
A fire-resistant door is indicated by adding a specific symbol (a circle with a dot, often with the fire rating in minutes) to the standard door symbol on the architectural plan.