SZNS 044-2:201 4 
 
ICS 01.080.10           Edition 1  
            
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SWAZILAND NATIONAL STANDARD  
 
 
 
Symbolic safety signs  
 
Part 2: Self -lumin ous (radioluminescent) signs   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Published by: Swaziland Standards Authority  
SmithCo B uilding, 2nd Floor, 11th Street King Mswati III Avenue West  
P. O. Box 1399, Matsapha, Kingdom of Swaziland  
Telephone: +268 2518 4633, Facsimile: +268 2518 4526  
Website: www.swasa.co.sz  
E-mail: info@swasa.co.sz   
©Swaziland Standards Authority 201 4 
 SZNS 044-2:2014 
Edition 1   
 
ii  ©SWASA 20 14 – All rights reserved  
  
COPYRIGHT NOTICE  
 
This Swaziland Standards Authority (SWASA) document is a Swaziland National  Standard and is 
copyright -protected by SWASA. Neither this SWASA document nor any extract  from it may be 
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, 
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission being secured.  
 
Requests for permission to reproduce should be addressed  to: 
 
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Swaziland Standards Authority  
P.O. Box 1399, Matsapha  
Tel. + 268 2518 4633  
Fax: + 268 2518 4526  
E-mail: info@swasa.co.sz   
Website: www.swasa.co.sz  
 
Reproduction may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement.  
Violators may be prosecuted.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SZNS 044-2:201 4 
Edition 1  
 
©SWASA 20 14 – All rights reserved   iii 
  
Table of changes  
 
Clause Changed  Date  Change  
Clause 3.3  2012  Change ‘approved by the Department of Health’ to read as 
‘approv ed by the Ministry of Labour’  
Clause 6.3  2012  Change ‘aut horized  under the Hazardous Substa nces Act, 
1973  (Act 15 of 1973) and the Nuclear Energy  Act, 1999 
(Act 46 of 1999),  to dispose of such radi oactive waste and 
replace with ‘Waste Regulations  2000 .’                                                                                                           
 
NATIONAL FOREWORD  
This National  Standard was prepared by Technical Committee SWASA/TC 10 Occupational health 
and safety in accordance with procedures  of the Swaziland Standards Authority, in compliance with 
Annex 3 of the WTO/TBT Agreement. This national  standard is a modified implementation  of SANS 
1186 -2:2007 , Edition 1 .2. 
This text is a Southern African Development Community Draft Harmonized Text (S ADCSTAN 
DHT). The harmonization of standards and technical regulations in the SADC region is an obligation 
under the SADC Trade Protocol which is aimed at elimination of non -tariff barriers to trade within the 
region to enhance economic development and est ablishment of a free trading bloc . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SZNS 044-2:2014 
Edition 1   
 
iv  ©SWASA 20 14 – All rights reserved  
 Contents                       Page  
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  1 
3 Definitions ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  1 
4 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 2 
4.1 General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  2 
4.2 Design and construction  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  2 
4.3 Perfor mance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 2 
4.4 Mounting  requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  4 
5 Inspection and methods of  test ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  5 
5.1 Inspection ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 5 
5.2 Sequence  of testing  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  5 
5.3 Tests for p hysical characteristics  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 5 
5.4 Luminance  test ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  5 
5.5 Test for chromaticity  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  5 
5.6 Dose  rate measurement  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  5 
5.7 Tritium leakage test  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  6 
5.8 Water -soluble tritium content  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 6 
5.9 Flammability  test ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  6 
6 Identification and labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  6 
6.1 Manufacturer’s  declaration  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  6 
6.2 Marking  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  6 
6.3 Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 6 
Annex A  Notes to purchasers  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  8 
Annex B  Quality verification of self -luminous (radioluminescent) safety signs  ................................ ... 9 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  10 
 
 
 
 
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©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved    1 
 Symbolic safety  signs  
Part 2:  Self-luminous (rad ioluminescent) signs  
1 Scope  
This part of SZNS 044 specifies requirements for a type of safety sign that is self-energized in 
respect of luminosity  and that requires  no external  source  of power.  It is not intend ed to apply  to 
small s igns that might be used in a ircraf t. 
2 Normative references  
The  following  standards  contai n  provisions  which,  through  referen ce  in  this  text,  constitute 
provis ions of this part of SZNS 044.  All stand ards are subject to revision  and, since any reference 
to  a  standard  is  deemed  to  be  a  reference  to  the  latest  edition  of  that  standard,  parties  to 
agreements based on this part  of SZNS 044 are e ncouraged to take ste ps to ensure the use of  the 
most  recent editio ns of the standards indicated  below.  Informat ion on curren tly valid  national  and 
internati onal standards can be obt ained from the Swaziland Standards Authority (SWASA) . 
CIE publication  15, Colorimetry.                                                                                                  
CIE publication  54, Retro reflection –Definition and m easure ment. 
IEC 60695-2-11, Fire hazard testing – Part 2-11: Glowing/ hot-wire based test methods – Glow-
wire flam mability test method for en d-prod ucts. 
SANS 118 6-1, Symbolic s afety sig ns – Part 1:  Standard sig ns and general r equire ments.        
SANS  60079-11/IEC  60079-11, Electrical  apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres – Part 11: 
Intrin sic safety "i".                                                                                                                         
3 Definitions  
For the purposes of this part of SZNS  044, the definitions  given in SANS  1186-1 and the following 
definitio ns apply: 
3.1 
becq uerel 
Bq 
one r adioactive disinte gration per  second 
3.2 
curie  
Ci 
one curie is equivalent to 3,7 × 1010 radioactive disintegrations per second  
3.3 
gaseous tritium light devi ce 
GTLD  
an instrument , piece of equipment, article or subassembly that contains at least one gaseous tritium  
light source (GTLS)  
NOTE A GTLD has to be approved by the Ministry of Labour , which is the regulating authority, before 
distribution . SZNS 044-2:201 4 
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2  ©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved  
 3.4 
gaseous t ritium light source  
GTLS  
a sealed glass container that is filled with gaseous tritium and of which the inner surface is coated  
with phosphor  
3.5 
Gray  
Gy 
the unit of radiation dose expressed in terms of absorbed energy per unit mass of tissue. One Gray  
is equal to one joule per kilogram (1 Gy = 1J/kg)  
3.6 
self-luminous safety sign  
equipment, including a pictogram, which is luminously self -energized by a GTLS and protected  
within an outer assembly  
4 Requirements  
4.1 General  
4.1.1 A self -luminous (radiolumines cent) sign shall comply with the requirements of 4.1, 4.2 and  4.3 
of SANS 1186 -1. 
NOTE The frame, if any, of the sign is not included when dimensions are being determined . 
4.1.2 The height or diameter of the face of the sign shall be 125 mm ± 2 mm.  
4.2 Des ign and construction  
4.2.1 No individual GTLS shall contain a quantity of tritium that produces more than 80 GBq  (2,16 
Ci). 
4.2.2 The total quantity of tritium in the sign shall not produce more than 1 TBq (27 Ci).  
4.2.3 A GTLD shall be so constructed that  it cannot be dismantled without the destruction of its  
enclosure.  
4.2.4 The GTLS shall not be accessible or removable from the sign after mounting without the use  of 
special tools and procedures.  
4.2.5  The front sur face of  the sign fac ing the o bserver shall have  a matt or se mi-matt finish.  
4.2.6  When a sign is test ed in accorda nce with  5.3.1,  the rod shall  not touch any GTLS.  
4.2.7 T h e  face plate shall be constructed  from  an impact resistant  mater ial.   When  the sign is 
tested in accordance with  5.3.2, the  face plate s hall not fract ure. 
4.2.8 When  tested  in accord ance with 5.3.3,  5.3.4  and 5.3.5,  the sign shall  show no visib le sign of 
structural  failure that could affect  the mechanical strength  or integrity of the sign, and there  shall  be 
no visually  apparent loss of light  output.  
4.3 Performance  
4.3.1  Luminance  
When a sign is tested in accordance with 5.4, within 1 month of manufacture, the full stencil outline 
of  each  pictogram  shall  be  illumi nated,  and  the  lumina nce  of  the  sign  at  any  local  area  of 
illumination  shall  be not less than 0,50 cd/m2.  For lettered  pictograms, the variation  in lumina nce SZNS 044 -2:201 4 
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©SWASA 20 14 – All rights reserved   3 
 betw een one local  area and anoth er shall not exceed a ratio of 15 to 1. For all other  picto grams,  the 
variation  in lumina nce be tween local areas  shall not exce ed a rat io of 2,5 to 1.  
4.3.2  Colour  
The  colours  of  a  sign  shall  be  as  given  in  SANS  1186-1,  except  that  the  colour  white  of 
SANS 118 6-1 shall be rep laced by radi oluminescent gre en or rad iolumin escent red. 
4.3.3  Chromaticity  co-ordinates  of radioluminescent  colours  
When determined  in accordance with 5.5, the chromaticity  co-ordinates of the radiolum inescent 
colour used on a sign shall  be within  the relevant  region on the chromaticity  diagram  (see figure 1).  
The co-ordinates of the corners (poin ts of intersection) of the region on the diagram  are given  in 
table  1.  When determ ined in  accordance with 5.5, the chromat icity co-ordinates of the other col ours 
shall  comply  with the valu es given  in 4.6.2 of SANS 1186 -1. 
 
Table 1 — Chromaticity  co-ordinates  for radioluminesce nt colours 
 
1 2 3 4 5 6 
Radio - 
luminesc ent 
colour  Chromaticity  co-ordinates  of the corners  of the regions  on the 
chromaticity  diagram (see figure 1) — 
Illuminant  D65, 45/0 
Co- 1 2 3 4 
Green  x 
y 
 0,302  
0,692  0,310 
0,480  0,220  
0,480  0,014  
0,744  
Red x 
y 
 0,625  
0,375  0,600  
0,350  0,650  
0,300  0,675  
0,325  
4.3.4 Dose rate  
When measured in accordance with 5.6, the radiation dose rate at the surface of the sign in air shall  
not exceed 2,5 μGy/h (0,25 mrad/h).  
4.3.5 Triti um leakage  
When a sign is tested in accordance with 5.7, the water shall produce a radio activity of not more  than 
10 kBq (270 nCi).  
4.3.6 Water -soluble tritium content  
The manufacturer shall specify the total tritium content of each GTLS. When measured in  accordance 
with 5.8, the amount of water -soluble tritium measured for each GTLS shall not exceed 2 % of the  
total activity of the source.  SZNS 044-2:201 4 
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4  ©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved  
 
 
 
 
Figure 1 — Chrom aticity co-ordin ates — Boun daries for  
radioluminesce nt colou rs (see  table  1) 
 
4.3.7  Flammability  
When tested in accordance with 5.9, the external  enclosure of the sign shall not exhibit  any after- 
flame for a p eriod exceed ing 30 s after removal of the glow -wire. 
4.3.8  Intrinsic  safety  
If so requ ired, the sign shall  comply with the re quirem ents of SANS  60079-11.                         
4.4 Mounting  requirements  
The sign shall incorporate  secure and rigid fixing  of such a type that one or more  special tools and 
procedures are required to remove  it. The special tool(s)  and procedure shall  be declared by the 
manuf acturer (see 6 .1(d)). 
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 5 Inspection and methods of  test 
5.1 Inspection  
Visually  examine  and  then  measure  each  sign  in  the  sample  for  complia nce  with  those 
requirements of  this part of the standard for which  tests to assess c omplia nce are not  given  in 5.2 to 
5.9 (inc lusive). 
5.2 Sequence  of testing  
Carry out the tests in the order in which  they are given  and on the same si gn. 
5.3 Tests for p hysical characteristics  
5.3.1  Ventilation  holes  
5.3.1.1 Drill  two ventilati on holes of diameter  2,5 mm ± 0,5 mm, one on each side of the sign,  in the 
sides closest  to the vertica l. 
5.3.1.2   Insert a rod of diameter  1 mm into each ventilation  hole with a force of 10 N until an 
obstructi on is met or to a maximum  depth of 15 mm if no obstr uction is evid ent. 
5.3.1.3  Repeat  this procedure  a total of 30 times  at different  angles in each vent hole.  Check for 
compl iance with 4.2.6.  
5.3.2  Drop  test 
Drop the sign onto its face,  then on its back and then on one side from  a height  of 1 m onto a 
smooth, h ard, rigid  surface. Check for  complia nce with 4.2.7.  
5.3.3  Temperature  test 
Heat  the sign in air to a temp erature  of   80 °C ± 2 °C within 5 min.   Keep the sign at this 
temperature,  then cool it to −20 °C ± 2 °C in less than 45 min.  Keep  the sign at this temp erature for 
1 h. Ch eck for compliance with 4.2.8.  
5.3.4  Vibration  test 
Subject  the sign to three  complete  cycles of vibrati on throu gh the range  of 25 Hz to 500 Hz at 5 gn. 
Conduct this test by sweeping throu gh all the frequencies in the range  at a uniform  rate from the 
minimum  to the maxim um frequency, and then return to the minimum  frequency.   Stay at the 
minimum  frequency for 10 min. Test each axis of the sign,  and dwell  for 30 min at each resonant 
frequ ency fo und. Ch eck for compli ance with 4.2.8.  
5.3.5  Exter nal pressure  test 
Expose  the sign in air to pressures  of 25 kPa absolute and 200 kPa absolute for four periods of 
15 min  each. Return to atmospheric pressure  between  each period. Check for compl iance with 
4.2.8.  
5.4 Luminance  test 
Using a suitable photome ter, take readings in a darkened  room. Take  the measurements within  a 
period of 1 month from the  date of man ufacture  of the sign.  Check for c ompliance with 4.3.1.  
5.5 Test for chromaticity  
Use a spectrophoto meter or anoth er suitable  colour measur ing device,  and the methods given in 
CIE publication  15 and CIE publication  54 to determ ine the chromaticity  co-ordinates  of the samp le 
(using standard illuminant  D65 and 45/0  geome try). Check for  compliance with 4.3.3. 
5.6 Dose  rate measurement  
Using an appropriate method, measure  the radiati on dose rate at the surface  of the sign and check for 
compliance with 4.3.4.  
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6  ©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved  
 5.7 Tritium leakage test  
Totally  immerse  the sign in water  at a temperature  of 25° C ± 2° C for 24 h. Remove  the sign and 
measure  the radio  activity  of the water.  Check for c omplia nce with  4.3.5.  
5.8 Water -soluble tritium content  
Use an appropriate  method to measure the water-soluble  tritium  content  of three GTL Ss from the 
sign under test or from  signs of the same producti on batch.  Do the measur ements, in each case, on 
the same ty pe of GTLS as in the sign under test. Check for comp liance  with 4. 3.6. 
5.9 Flammability  test 
Use the glow-wire test in IEC 60695-2-11 with the glow-wire at a temperature  of 650° C ± 10° C. 
Apply  the tip of the glow-wire to the external  surface of the sign for a period of 30 s ± 1 s.  Remo ve 
the glow -wire and, after 30  s, insp ect the sign for  complia nce with  4.3.7.  
6 Identification and labelling  
6.1 Manufacturer’s  declaration  
The ma nufacturer shall pr ovide writ ten authenticated  proof of the followi ng: 
a)  that the energizi ng source is tritium gas;  
b)  that on the date of supply,  no individ ual GTLS  contai ns more  than the amount of tritium  specified 
in 4.2.1;  
c)  that on the date of supply,  the total activity of the tritium  in the sign does not exceed the amount 
specified in 4 .3.4; and  
d)  a refere nce to the sp ecial tools a nd procedures requ ired for the  removal of the sign.  
6.2 Marking  
The following infor mation  shall  be legibly and permanently  marked on each sign in such a way that 
the marking  can be seen from the front:  
a)  the manuf acturer's name;  
b)  Delet ed by amend ment No. 2.  
c)  the  radiation  hazard  sign  (sign  WW  6  in  SANS  1186-1,  that  has  a  maximum  size  of 
15 mm × 15  mm); and  
d)  adjacent to the radiation  hazard  sign, in letters  and figures  of height  not less than 3 mm, the 
following:  
Replace by: (month and y ear) 
The m arks shall be in s uch a positi on that no part is o bscured. 
The s pace occup ied by the  mark ing sha ll not exceed  12 mm in he ight and 25 mm in width.  
NOTE   The presen ce of the radiation  symbol does not imply that the sign indicates a radiation hazard under 
normal  conditions of use.   Its purpo se is to draw the attenti on to the fact that the sign contains radioactive 
material . 
6.3 Labelling  
The back of each sign shall  be perm anently and legibly mark ed with a label  that bears  the following 
information:  
a)  the manuf acturer's name, trade name or trade m ark, and h is address; 
b)  the wo rd RADIOACTIVE;  
c)   the radiati on hazard  sign (see 6. 2); 
d)  the word TR ITIUM, and t he radi oactive  activity on the date of supp ly, in gigabecquerels;  SZNS 044 -2:201 4 
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©SWASA 20 14 – All rights reserved   7 
 e)  a serial nu mber; 
f)   the date of s upply; and  
g)  the followi ng wording:  
WARNING  – DO NOT  OPEN  
When this sign is to be discarded,  it has to be despatched to or removed  by the original 
manuf acturer  of the sign,  or a person who is authorized  under the Waste Regulations , 2000 . 
The differ ence betw een the dates  referred to in 6.3(f) and 6.2( d) shall  be 10 or 15 years.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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8  ©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved  
 Annex A  
(normative)  
Notes to purchas ers 
The following requirements shall be specified in tender invitations and in each order or contract:  
a) the type designation (see 4.1.1); and  
b) whether the sign shall comply with the requirements of SANS 60079 -11 (see 4.3.8).         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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©SWASA 20 14 – All rights reserved   9 
 Annex B  
(informative)  
Quality verification of self -luminous (radioluminescent) safety signs  
B.1 Quality verification  
When a purchaser requires ongoing verification of the quality of self -luminous symbolic safety signs, 
it is suggested that inst ead of concentrating solely on evaluation of the final product, he also direct his 
attention to the manufacturer's quality system.   In this connection it should be noted that SZNS ISO 
9001 covers the provisions of an integrated quality system.                                  
B.2 Definitions  
The definitions given in B.2 of SANS 1186 -1 are applicable to this part of SZNS 044 . 
B.3 Sampling and compliance with this part of SZNS 044  
The sampling and acceptance procedures given in B.3 and B.4 of SANS 1186 -1 are  applicable to this 
part of SZNS 044.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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10  ©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved  
 Bibliography  
BS 5499 -2, Specification for self -luminous fire safety signs.  
SZNS ISO 9001, Quality management systems – Requirements.                                     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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©SWASA 20 14 – All rights reserved   11 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ICS 01.080.10  
Price  based  on 10 pages.