There is growing awareness of the need to provide suitable exit signage to identify accessible egress paths. This has been addressed within the International Building Code which requires “AREA OF REFUGE” signage identified with the International Symbol of Access.

Furthermore, ISO 7010 and ISO 21542 now provide an option of the Japanese exit sign (or ‘Running Man’ sign) with a European equivalent of the International Symbol of Access at the end of the sign.

This section provides evidence to support the use of the accessible exit sign design presented in this paper, which can be used in any performance-based building solution. The following is discussed in detail:

• People with Disability and the Need for Accessible Exits
• Do not use lifts if there is a fire
• Existing Japanese Style (or Running Man) Style Exit Signs
• Existing Wheelchair Symbols on Exit Signs
• Risk Management and the Accessible Exit Signage
• Quotes from Around the World
• Fire Engineering and Performance-Based Building Codes
• Precedence in Performance-Based Exit Sign Solutions
• Support from Australian Building Codes Board References
• An Ageing Population
• Increased Child-Care Centres above Entry Levels of Buildings
• Obesity Trends