Safety Way Guidance Systems (SWGS) & Wayfinding Signage Buying Guide
What is a Safety Way Guidance System (SWGS)?
A Safety Way Guidance System (SWGS) is your building’s built-in emergency roadmap. Designed to ISO 16069 standards, SWGS provides a structured system of signs, markings, and photoluminescent materials that guide occupants through designated escape routes. Think of SWGS as a 24/7, power-free pathfinder that stays visible in the worst conditions, leading people to safety during any emergency.
Why SWGS Matters — And When It’s Required
In sudden power outages, fires, or smoke-filled environments, knowing where to go isn’t just useful—it’s lifesaving. SWGS gives clear, visible pathways for safe evacuation, even if the lights go out or smoke fills the room. This system is especially essential in buildings where evacuation can be challenging, like high-rises, hospitals, public venues, or underground facilities. ISO 16069 makes SWGS a must in high-occupancy or high-risk spaces, where it’s crucial to get people out quickly and safely.
Three Levels of Guidance for Total Safety
To cover all angles and ensure everyone can find the exit, an effective SWGS includes high, mid, and low-level elements:
High-Level Guidance
Positioned above eye level, high-level signs like exit markers and assembly point indicators guide people across larger spaces. These are especially important for visibility from a distance or in crowded areas.
Mid-Level Guidance
These waist-height signs and arrows reinforce directions at an easy-to-see height as people move along escape routes. These provide instructions and complimentary information for occupants.
Low-Level Guidance
Low-level floor markings, glowing strips along walls, and door handle indicators provide critical visibility in smoky or dark conditions. These elements create a clear pathway along the floor, perfect for guiding people if they need to crawl to avoid smoke inhalation.
Why SWGS Needs Photoluminescent Power
Photoluminescent materials are the core of an effective SWGS — they "charge" in regular light and glow brilliantly in the dark, offering visibility even during power failures.
With no electricity or batteries required, photoluminescent SWGS components are reliable, energy-free, and maintenance-friendly.
ISO 16069 requirements – when photoluminescent materials are used, they must meet the following standards:
- 10 minutes from withdrawal of illumination – 140 mcd/m²*
- 60 minutes from withdrawal of illumination – 20 mcd/m²
- 1800 minutes from withdrawal of illumination – 0.3 mcd/m²
This means that photoluminescent components of a Safety Way Guidance System must utilise PSPA Class C photoluminescent materials at a minimum. YourGlowSign Double Glow and Triple Glow materials exceed these requirements.
*Luminance is measured in millicandelas per square meter (mcd/m²)
Key Components of an SWGS
An SWGS combines several components that work together for seamless, multi-level guidance:
Escape Route Markings
Low- or mid-level markings guide occupants through routes, especially useful in smoky conditions.
Directional Arrows
Placed along routes at high, mid, and low levels, arrows provide consistent directional flow to exits.
Exit Signs
High- and mid-level exit signs clearly mark final exit points and assembly areas.
Door Hardware Markings
Glow-in-the-dark strips on handles and push bars make doors easy to spot and operate, even in low light.
Obstacle Markings
Low-level markings on obstacles along escape routes prevent tripping and help people find clear paths.
Stairways and Stairwells
Stairwells have specific SWGS requirements due to their critical role in evacuation routes.
Stairwells are often the primary escape routes in multi-story buildings, so SWGS elements in these areas must be designed to ensure continuous visibility, guidance, and safety.
Here are key SWGS requirements for stairwells:
Low-Level Pathway Markings
Stairwells must have photoluminescent path markings on each step edge, both horizontally and vertically, to guide people down the stairs safely in low-visibility situations.
Wall or Handrail Markings
A continuous photoluminescent stripe along the walls or handrails ensures a clear visual guide down the entire stairwell.
Choosing the Right SWGS for Your Building
Selecting an SWGS means understanding your building’s layout and occupancy:
1. Conduct a Risk Assessment:
Identify areas where visibility may be challenging. High-traffic areas, complex layouts, and emergency doors are all places to focus on.
2. Ensure Compliance:
Only choose SWGS components that meet ISO 16069, especially for photoluminescent standards across high, mid, and low levels. YGS Double and Triple glow signs and markings exceed these standards.
3. Select Durable Materials:
High-quality photoluminescent materials and sturdy components ensure long-lasting reliability. Ensure signs, strips, and markings will stand up to traffic and environmental exposure. Visit our Materials Guide to find out more.
What is a Wayfinding Signage?
Wayfinding signs are a critical element of your Safety Way Guidance System, designed to guide people through a building or area, helping them locate exits, escape routes, and safe areas during an emergency.
In the wake of the Grenfell Tragedy, Wayfinding signage has taken on a more specific meaning. An update to Fire Safety Regulations under Fire Safety: Approved Document B, Appendix 15.13 - 15.16 has meant all residential buildings with more than three storeys must display Wayfinding Signs to assist firefighters in the event of a fire emergency.
To be displayed in stairways, this new range of signage will assist with floor and flat identification on each level.
What is Required?
To make sure you are fully compliant with the new Wayfinding legislation, you must at minimum display:
- Floor designation signs
- Flat designation signs (with directional arrows if required)
To make sure you have the right sign you need for your building, all YGS Wayfinding Signage is fully customisable. We also offer a range of Supplementary Wayfinding Signage. Although not required by regulation, these solutions make navigation around your building even easier for residents and emergency services alike.
Photoluminescent signage is ideal for wayfinding as it glows without power, ensuring visibility in low-light conditions, offering clear guidance during emergencies, and requiring minimal maintenance.
Why Buy From Your Glow Sign?
Safety signs are a legal requirement for all kinds of organisation to meet basic health and safety obligations, and photoluminescent signs add enhanced visibility to critical safety messages.
Compliance doesn’t have to be onerous or expensive and we aim to make it as easy as possible for our customers.
We manufacture our own signs in Poole, Dorset which enables our customers to save money by buying directly from a UK manufacturer.
Many of our signs are designed using official ISO symbols, and laid out in accordance with HSE Signs & Signals regulations, unlike some competitors.
We offer the widest range of photoluminescent materials, sign types and finishes and fixings, all available at the click of the button, so you can order a complete signage solution in seconds. As standard, we offer high quality durable materials and UV stabilised inks so our signs will stand the test of time, we guarantee it!
Here are just some of the benefits of buying your photoluminescent signs from Your Glow Sign:
Small Investment, Big Safety Benefit
Some of our glow in the dark signs are cheaper than competitors' non-luminous equivalents!
Widest Range
Choose from over 3000 fully compliant signs
Brighter and longer lasting Glow
3 classes of photoluminescence, unlike most competitors!
Fast and Easy Ordering
Choose your sign, material and fixings in seconds
24 Hour Free Despatch
Orders over £30 placed before 4.30pm
30 Day Money Back
No Quibble Guarantee
Exceptional Prices
With Bulk Discounts available
Instant Credit
UK businesses pay on invoice
UK manufacturer
All of our signs are Made in Britain