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NFPA 170, Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols

2021 NFPA 170 Standard - Current Edition
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  • Description

    The 2024 edition of this publication is now available. To purchase, please call 1-800-344-3555 or email your purchase orders to orders@nfpa.org for processing.

    The 2021 edition of NFPA 170, Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols, provides standardized fire safety symbols for the best possible communication.

    Revised for clarity and to help regulate the use of symbols, the 2021 edition of NFPA 170, Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols, presents uniform symbols used for fire safety, emergency, and associated hazards.

    NFPA 170 gives designers, engineers, architects, and emergency planners key information—including the new symbol for dry hydrants and drafting ports.

    This standard provides symbology for emergency management mapping and for emergency evacuation diagrams and plans. The new symbol for dry hydrants and drafting ports illustrates the significant distinction between hydrants that are connected to a pressurized water system and hydrants connected to a static source of water.

    The 2021 edition includes:

    • The all-new symbol for dry hydrants and drafting ports
    • Updated references
    • Signage for fire station apparatus bay doors
    • New tables for fire pump type symbols and fire pump device symbols
    • A symbol for radio communication enhancement system, consistent with the term used in other codes

    Improved communication can make all the difference for building occupants, designers, installers, and first responders.

    The 2021 edition of NFPA 170, Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols, is essential for the fire service, architectural and engineering drawings, insurance diagrams, firefighting operations, and pre-incident planning sketches. Annexes provide explanatory material and symbols for life safety planning. Order your copy today. (Print,  Approx. 74 pp., 2021)

  • Table of Contents (2021 Current Edition)

    NFPA® 170 Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols, 2021 Edition

    Chapter 1 Administration
    1.1 Scope.
    1.2 Purpose.
    1.3 Retroactivity.
    1.4 Equivalency.
    1.5 Units.
    Chapter 2 Referenced Publications
    2.1 General.
    2.2 NFPA Publications.
    2.3 Other Publications.
    2.4 References for Extracts in Mandatory Sections.
    Chapter 3 Definitions
    3.1 General.
    3.2 NFPA Official Definitions.
    3.3 General Definitions.
    Chapter 4 Symbols for General Use
    4.1 Introduction.
    4.2 Symbols for General Use.
    4.3 Class of Fire Symbols.
    Chapter 5 Symbols for Use by the Fire Service
    5.1 Introduction.
    5.2 Symbols for Use by the Fire Service.
    5.3 Fire Apparatus Safety Symbols.
    5.4 Fire Station Apparatus Bay Door Safety Signage and Symbols.
    Chapter 6 Symbols for Use in Architectural and Engineering Drawings and Insurance Diagrams
    6.1 Introduction.
    6.2 Symbols for Site Features.
    6.3 Symbols for Building Construction.
    Chapter 7 Symbols for Use in Water Supply, Extinguishing, and Sprinkler System Drawings and Insurance Diagrams
    7.1 Introduction.
    7.2 Water Supply and Distribution Symbols.
    7.3 Reserved.
    7.4 Symbols Related to Means of Egress.
    7.5 Indicating Appliances.
    7.6 Symbols for Fire Extinguishing Systems.
    7.7 Symbols for Portable Fire Extinguishers.
    7.8 Symbols for Firefighting Equipment.
    7.9 Miscellaneous Symbols.
    Chapter 8 Symbols for Use in Electronic Fire and Smoke Detection and Notification System Drawings and Insurance Diagrams
    8.1 Introduction.
    8.2 Symbols for Control Panels.
    8.3 Symbols for Fire Alarms, Detection, and Related Equipment — Signal Initiating Devices and Activation Switches.
    8.4 Notification Appliances.
    8.5 Related Equipment.
    8.6 Symbols for Smoke/Pressurization Control.
    Chapter 9 Symbols for Use in Pre-Incident Planning Sketches
    9.1 Introduction.
    9.2 Access Features, Assessment Features, Ventilation Features, and Utility Shutoffs.
    9.3 Detection/Extinguishing Equipment.
    9.4 Water Flow Control Valves and Water Sources.
    9.5 Equipment Rooms.
    9.6 Identification of Hazardous Materials.
    Chapter 10 Symbology for Emergency Management Mapping
    10.1 Damage Operational Symbols.
    10.2 Operations Symbology.
    10.3 Incidents Symbology.
    10.4 Natural Events Symbology.
    10.5 Infrastructures Symbology.
    Chapter 11 Emergency Evacuation Diagrams and Plans
    11.1 Introduction.
    11.2 Composition.
    11.3 Orientation.
    11.4 Information Shown.
    11.5 Construction Materials.
    Annex A Explanatory Material
    Annex B Additional Explanatory Information on Chapters 1 Through 6
    Annex C Emergency Responder Map
    Annex D Firefighter Safety Building Marking System
    Annex E Informational References
  • Prior Editions

    2018 Edition

    With an all-new symbol for tornado and other changes, the 2018 edition of NFPA 170 works to standardize fire safety symbols for better communication.

    Revised for clarity and to help standardize the use of symbols, the 2018 edition of NFPA 170, Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols presents uniform symbols used for fire safety, emergency, and associated hazards.

    NFPA 170 provides designers, engineers, architects, and emergency planners with key information -- including the new symbol for tornado.

    The Standard provides symbology for emergency management mapping, and emergency evacuation diagrams and plans. This edition includes:

    • The all-new symbol for tornado
    • Updated references
    • Revised terms, including smoke barrier changed to smoke rated, and fire barrier changed to fire rated
    • Added details to the symbols for a fire department connection
    • A distinction between water-driven and electric-driven water flow alarms

    Use NFPA 170 to improve communication between building occupants, designers, installers, and first responders.

    This edition is essential for the fire service, as well as for architectural and engineering drawings, insurance diagrams, fire fighting operations, and pre-incident planning sketches. Annexes provide explanatory material and symbols for life safety planning. (Print, 80 pp., 2018)

    2015 Edition

    With an all-new symbol for smoke and other changes, the 2015 NFPA 170, works to standardize fire safety symbols for better communication.

    Revised for clarity and to help standardize the use of symbols, the 2015 edition of NFPA 170, Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols presents uniform symbols used for fire safety, emergency, and associated hazards.

    NFPA 170 provides designers, engineers, architects, and emergency planners with key information -- including the new symbol for smoke.

    The Standard includes symbology for emergency management mapping, and emergency evacuation diagrams and plans. In a major change for the 2015 edition, the symbol for smoke has been revised from a wisp of smoke to an 'S.'

    Use the 2015 NFPA 170 to improve communication between building occupants, designers, installers, and first responders.

    This edition is essential for the fire service, as well as for architectural and engineering drawings, insurance diagrams, fire fighting operations, and pre-incident planning sketches. Annexes provide explanatory material and symbols for life safety planning. (Softbound, 42 pp., 2015)

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