GB/T 2893.4-2013 English PDF (GBT2893.4-2013)

This Part of GB/T 2893 specifies the relevant requirements and test methods for the colorimetric and photometric attributes of the colors of safety signs, which are used in workplaces and public places. It provides colorimetric and photometric specifications, for the safety colors and contrast colors, which are specified in GB/T 2893.1-2013.

GB/T 2893.4-2013
NATIONAL STANDARD OF THE
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
ICS 01.080.10
A 22
Graphical symbols - Safety colors and safety signs - Part 4:
Colorimetric and photometric properties of safety sign
materials
(ISO 3864-4:2011, MOD)
ISSUED ON: JULY 19, 2013
IMPLEMENTED ON: NOVEMBER 30, 2013
Issued by: General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of PRC;
Standardization Administration of PRC.
Table of Contents
Foreword ... 3
Introduction ... 4
1 Scope ... 5
2 Normative references ... 5
3 Terms and definitions... 6
4 Requirements ... 8
4.1 General... 8
4.2 Object color under external illumination ... 9
4.3 Object color of energized internally illuminated safety signs ... 10 5 Test methods ... 14
5.1 General... 14
5.2 Object color under external lighting ... 15
5.3 Object color of energized internally illuminated safety signs ... 16 Appendix A (Informative) Object colors for different types of safety signs and materials ... 18
Appendix B (Normative) Classification of light emission colors from phosphorescent materials ... 21
Appendix C (Normative) Specification for colorimetric instruments and photometric instruments ... 24
Appendix D (Informative) Guidelines for the photometric relationship between and within safety colors and contrasting colors of graphic symbols ... 26
Appendix E (Informative) Examples of safety colors and contrast colors for object colors of ordinary materials ... 28
Appendix F (Informative) Considerations for color vision defects ... 31 References ... 33
Graphical symbols - Safety colors and safety signs - Part 4:
Colorimetric and photometric properties of safety sign
materials
1 Scope
This Part of GB/T 2893 specifies the relevant requirements and test methods for the colorimetric and photometric attributes of the colors of safety signs, which are used in workplaces and public places. It provides colorimetric and photometric specifications, for the safety colors and contrast colors, which are specified in GB/T 2893.1-2013.. The physical requirements, as met by safety signs, are mainly related to daylight color and normal lighting environment. This Part also includes colorimetric requirements and test methods, for safety signs and phosphorescent materials, which are used in unilluminated environments.
This Part applies to all locations, where personal safety concerns are an issue. This Part does not apply to the transmission of guidance signals, for rail, road, inland shipping, sea, air traffic. In short, it does not apply to the fields otherwise specified in the laws and regulations.
The colorimetric and photometric properties of retroreflective safety signs, retroreflective materials combined with fluorescent or phosphorescent materials, or luminescent safety signs activated by a radioactive source, are not specified in this Part. 2 Normative references
The following documents are essential for the application of this document. For dated references, only the dated version applies to this document. For undated references, the latest edition (including all amendments) applies to this document.
GB/T 2893.1-2013 Graphical symbols - Safety colours and safety signs - Part 1: Design principles for safety signs and safety markings (ISO 3864-1:2011, MOD) GB/T 15565 (all parts) Graphical symbols - Terms
CIE 15 Colorimetry
CIE 69 Methods of characterizing illuminance meters and luminance meters: Performance, characteristics and specifications
3.12
Phosphorescent material
Materials containing phosphors, that store energy when excited by ultraviolet or visible light. This energy is emitted as light, for a certain period of time. 3.13
Safety colour
Colors with special properties, that are assigned a safety meaning.
[GB/T 15565.2-2008, definition 2.2.5]
4 Requirements
4.1 General
4.1.1 All colorimetric and photometric requirements apply to materials, which are used in finished signs.
4.1.2 See GB/T 2893.1-2013 for the provisions on the safety colors and contrast colors of the geometric shapes of safety signs, as well as the graphic symbols of specific types of safety signs.
4.1.3 The requirements of this Part are based on the CIE 2° standard colorimetric observer, which is specified in CIE 15.
4.1.4 If the requirements of this Part relate to the color of the sign material, under external illumination, the colorimetric and photometric requirements are based on the CIE standard illuminator D65. D65 is at an angle of 45° to the surface normal AND observed along the normal direction (geometric conditions 45/0) OR viewed perpendicular to and at 45° to the surface (geometric conditions 0/45). 4.1.5 The requirements and test methods of this Part are for both illuminated and unilluminated safety signs. See Appendix A, for information on the color characteristics of external lighting, internal lighting, phosphorescent materials.
To function as intended, safety signs without internal light sources shall be illuminated externally.
Internally illuminated safety signs are classified as "maintained" (the internal light source is energized) or "non-maintained" safety signs (signs are illuminated externally when the internal light source is not energized, BUT the internal light source is energized in an emergency). If the safety sign is designed as a dimmed sign, it also needs to meet the requirements, under this condition.
Phosphorescent safety signs can be used, in both illuminated and unilluminated environments. For example, in an emergency, the excited phosphorescent material emits light, for a period of time.
4.1.6 The color regime for each specified color is specified in this Part. 4.1.7 See 4.2.1 for the colorimetric and photometric requirements for safety signs, which are made of ordinary materials. See 4.2.2 (if the internal light source is not energized) and 4.3 (if the internal light source is energized), for colorimetric and photometric requirements for non-maintained internally illuminated safety signs. See 4.3, for colorimetric and photometric requirements for maintained internally illuminated safety signs. See 4.2.3, for colorimetric and photometric requirements for externally illuminated phosphorescent safety signs.
If, at the time of use, the colorimetric coordinates and/or the luminance factor are outside the color regime, which is specified in Table 1, for the corresponding safety sign material type, OR the colorimetric coordinates and/or luminance or luminance contrast are beyond the scope of the corresponding safety sign type, which is specified in Tables 2 and 3, THEN, the material is no longer considered suitable for safety purposes. In order to facilitate the classification of manufacturers, the performance requirements and test methods for the emission color of phosphorescent materials are as shown in Appendix B.
4.2 Object color under external illumination
4.2.1 Safety signs made of ordinary materials
If the color of the object is tested, in accordance with the provisions of 5.2.1, the colorimetric coordinates of each color shall be within the corresponding color regime, which is specified in Table 1, as shown in Figure 1. The luminance factor of each color shall comply with the provisions in Table 1.
4.2.2 Unpowered internally illuminated safety signs under external lighting If the unpowered internally illuminated safety sign is tested, in accordance with the provisions of 5.2.2, the colorimetric coordinates of each color shall be within the corresponding color regime, which is specified in Table 1, as shown in Figure 1. The luminance factor of each color shall comply with the provisions in Table 1. 4.2.3 Phosphorescent safety signs under external lighting
If the phosphorescent material at the bottom of the phosphorescent material OR the phosphorescent material printed with color on the surface is tested, in accordance with 5.2 Object color under external lighting
5.2.1 Safety signs made of ordinary materials
The front of the sign shall be measured by a spectrophotometer, which complies with the specifications in C.1.1.
Three measurements shall be made at the same location. The average of x, y, Y shall be calculated.
All safety colors and contrast colors, that make up the sign, shall be measured. 5.2.2 De-energized internally illuminated safety signs under exterior lighting Black material shall be lined behind the front of the sign. The front of the sign shall be measured, by a spectrophotometer, which complies with the specifications in C.1.1. Three measurements shall be made at the same location. The average of x, y, Y shall be calculated.
All safety colors and contrast colors, that make up the sign, shall be measured. 5.2.3 Phosphorescent safety signs under external lighting
Phosphorescent safety signs shall be placed in a dark and airtight environment, for at least 48 hours, for pretreatment. Samples shall be removed from a dark, closed environment, prior to testing.
The ambient temperature during the sign pretreatment, excitation, colorimetric and luminance testing shall be (23 ± 2) °C. The relative humidity shall be (50 ± 10) %. All tests shall be performed indoors or in a container, which has an ambient luminance at least one order of magnitude lower than the lowest measured luminance value. Phosphorescent signs shall be excited by the light of a D65 daylight simulator fluorescent lamp. The lamp is being 45° to the normal to the sign surface, resulting in a measurement of (200 ± 2) lx, on the sign surface (plane) at the location of the test piece. The duration of the excitation shall be 20 min. There shall be no ambient or diffuse light, during excitation.
The colorimeter, which is specified in C.1.2 or C.1.3, shall be placed perpendicular to the surface of the sign. The size of the test piece shall be within the size range of the graphic symbol or basic geometric shape being measured.
After 20 min, the colorimetric coordinates and luminance Lp shall be measured, once every 1 min within 10 min, under the condition that the D65 daylight simulator fluorescent lamp keeps glowing. Colorimetric coordinates x, y and luminance [in candelas per square meter (cd/m2)] shall be recorded.
All safety colors and contrast colors, that make up the sign, shall be measured. The above measurement procedure shall be repeated, on two additional test pieces, which are placed within the color of the graphic symbol and basic geometry of the same color.
In order to determine the luminance factor, the luminance Lw of a calibrated white reflectance standard, at geometric condition 45/0 (placed at the same test piece location and under the same D65 daylight simulator lighting conditions) shall be measured, once every 1 min for 10 min. The luminance factor β of phosphorescent signs shall be calculated, according to the following formula:
β = ρ (Lp/Lw)
Where ρ is the reflectance of the calibrated white reflectance standard. 5.3 Object color of energized internally illuminated safety signs
The test methods, which are specified in this paragraph, also apply to non-maintained internally illuminated safety signs, when the interior light source is energized. Measurements shall be performed in a dark closed environment (inside the container), with the internal light source energized.
A colorimeter, which complies with the specifications in C.1.2 or C.1.3, shall be placed perpendicular to the surface of the sign. The size of the test piece shall be within the size of the color regime. Place the test piece, so that the distance, from edge of the test piece to the edge of the color regime, is at least half the size of the test piece. It shall measure the colorimetric coordinates of the safety colors and contrast colors; record the luminance values, in candela per square meter (cd/m2)].
The luminance instrument, that complies with the specifications in C.2, OR the colorimeter, that complies with the specifications in C.1.2 or C.1.3, shall be placed perpendicular to the surface of the sign. The size of the test piece should be within the size of the color regime. Place the test piece, so that the distance, from the edge of the test piece to the edge of the color regime, is at least half the size of the test piece. It shall measure the minimum and maximum luminance (if present), over the regime of safe colors and white contrast colors. Boundary areas outside the basic geometry of the safety sign shall be excluded.
The minimum and maximum luminance contrast shall be calculated, as shown in formula (1) and formula (2):
Appendix A
(Informative)
Object colors for different types of safety signs and materials
A.1 External illumination
A.1.1 Ordinary materials
The object color of ordinary materials is produced, by the selective absorption of light incident on the surface. The perceived color depends on various factors, including the spectral distribution of the incident light, the spectral radiance factor of the surface, certain visual parameters, such as the observer's matching state and the color of the surrounding area. However, in order to determine the color of practical application, it is sufficient to use the colorimetric coordinates and luminance factor of the CIE 2° standard colorimetric observer. These numbers depend only on the spectral distribution of the incident light and the spectral luminance factor of the surface. This Part is to calculate the colorimetric value, under the CIE standard illuminant D65. When considering the primary colors of a surface, it is generally assumed that the surface is a uniformly reflective diffuser. Light, which is reflected from a smooth or semi-smooth surface, includes some specular reflections; it is normally excluded when determining color; the specified measurement geometry should be able to exclude such reflections. Geometry 45/0 and geometry 0/45 represent the interaction of light, because the reflected light from the surface of many materials is not uniformly scattered, so ring lighting is chosen. The reference geometry is 45/0.
A.1.2 Phosphorescent materials under external illumination
These materials are colorants that emit phosphorescence, because energy in the shorter wavelength and/or ultraviolet regions of the visible spectrum is absorbed, meanwhile the colorant stores energy, some of which is re-radiated at longer wavelengths, so as to emit light in the visible region, for a period of time.
The color, which is produced by excitation by an external light source, is the color of the phosphorescent colorant, which results from the reflection of the excitation radiation AND the broadband radiation, as emitted by the phosphorescent colorant or the product placed on it. Usually, the reflected light is much stronger than the emitted light.
Object color depends on many factors, including the characteristics of the phosphorescent material, as well as the spectral composition, luminance level, duration of the excitation source. Tests are performed, under saturated excitation conditions. The test method uses light from a D65 daylight simulator fluorescent lamp, at 45° to the normal to the surface of the sign, resulting in a 200 (1 ± 2%) lx measurement for 20 min, on the surface of the phosphorescent material. The measurement is carried out by a tricolor colorimeter or spectrocolorimeter, which is observed at right angles to the phosphorescent surface. The luminance factor can be determined, by measuring a white reflectance standard, which is placed in the same measurement position. A.1.3 De-energized internally illuminated safety signs under external lighting When a non-maintained internally illuminated safety sign is externally illuminated AND the internal light source is in operation, the non-energized external lighting is reflected from any surface. The test method is basically the same as the test method for ordinary materials, except that a black material is placed behind the front of any translucent sign.
A.2 Energized internally illuminated safety signs
This category includes maintained internally illuminated safety signs and non- maintained internally illuminated safety signs, that are in operation with the internal power source energized.
Sign constructions, types of light sources, techniques vary. Integral light sources can illuminate translucent materials, from behind or from an edge, OR emissive materials such as electroluminescent sheets or light-emitting diode sheets. The surface can exhibit partly emissive properties AND exhibit partly diffusive reflection properties. The measurement adopts tricolor colorimeter or spectrocolorimeter, which is observed, at a right angle to the front surface of the sign. Color is determined, using the CIE 2° standard colorimetric observer's colorimetric coordinates and luminance. Luminance instruments (still observed at right angles to the front surface of the sign) can be used, to determine the luminance contrast k, between the contrast color and safety colors, as well as the luminance variation within each color.
A.3 Emission color of phosphorescent materials
Phosphorescent materials emit visible light for a period of time, with reduced luminance, after exposure to light AND all light sources are turned off. The measurement does not require the presence of other light sources.
The color of the emitted visible light depends on many factors, including the characteristics of the phosphorescent material and the spectral composition, luminance level, duration of the excitation light source.
Excitation of the phosphorescent materials, which is specified in this Part, is generated by light from a D65 daylight simulator fluorescent lamp, that produces a measured luminance of 200 (1 ± 2%) lx, on the sign surface/plane at the location of the test piece; the excitation duration is 20 min.
Appendix C
(Normative)
Specification for colorimetric instruments and photometric instruments
C.1 Colorimetric instrument
C.1.1 Spectrophotometer
Instruments shall be provided, in accordance with the provisions of CIE 15. Colorimetric values shall be calculated, under CIE standard illuminator D65 and CIE 2° standard colorimetric observer conditions. In general, it may use a monochromatic or polychromatic illumination in a monochromator; however, in cases where the reflected light contains phosphorescence, it shall use the polychromatic illumination. In this case, the quality of the illuminating light shall be higher than category B (visible) and category C (ultraviolet), when estimated using the CIE 51.2 method. The instrument shall have the following characteristics:
- Spectral condition:
● Wavelength range: 380 nm ~ 780 nm, at least 400 nm ~ 700 nm;
● Wavelength sampling interval: ≤ 20 nm;
- Geometrical conditions: The illumination and observation conditions are (geometrical conditions 45/0) or (geometrical conditions 0/45);
- Photometric conditions: The measurement range of Y is at least 0% ~ 100%. Note: The luminance factor β is Y/100.
C.1.2 Tricolor colorimeter for light color
The instrument directly measures the relative values (X, Y, Z) of the three primary color values, by the three primary color method. The measurement results are represented by colorimetric coordinates (x, y) and luminance Lv. Values shall be calculated for a CIE 2° standard colorimetric observer. The instrument shall have at least the following characteristics:
- Wavelength range: At least 400 nm ~ 700 nm;
- Repeatability of colorimetric coordinates: ±0.003;
- Luminance range: 0.01 cd/m2 ~ 15000 cd/m2;