Floor markings – regulations, implementation and alternatives
Floor markings are a simple but extremely effective method of optimizing work processes and increasing safety on company premises. They serve as visual guidelines to distinguish the functions of different areas and guide the movement of employees and vehicles.
Increasing importance of floor marking due to automation
The use of floor markings can also serve to optimize routes for vehicles and industrial trucks and to clearly separate pedestrians and driverless transport systems. By marking lanes and loading and unloading zones, the implementation of automated guided vehicles is simplified, which ultimately leads to smoother traffic management, a safer working environment for employees and time savings in day-to-day operations and implementation.
Relevant regulations and directives
To improve occupational safety and prevent accidents, international and national standards and guidelines apply when planning floor markings. Internationally, there is ISO 7010 “Graphical symbols – Safety colors and safety signs – Registered safety signs”. In the EU, Directive 92/58/EEC “Minimum requirements for the provision of safety and/or health signs at work” also applies. In Germany, the Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV) must be complied with in conjunction with the Technical Rules for Workplace Directive (ASR).
ASR 1.3 Safety and health protection labeling
- Minimum width of floor marking 5 cm for driveways
- Traffic route marking in yellow or white
- Stationary danger spots in yellow/black stripes
- Temporary danger spots striped in red/white
- Definition of safety labels
- Definition of font sizes
ASR 1.8 Traffic routes
- Requirements for traffic and footpaths
- Determining the width of traffic and footpaths
- Demarcation of traffic and footpaths
- Requirements for stairs and ramps
ASR 2.3 Escape routes and emergency exits
- General requirements for labeling and recognizability
- Requirements for the marking of main escape routes
- Optical safety guidance systems
In addition to the legal requirements, internal work regulations and standards may exist for the interpretation of production and management reports.
Design options for floor markings
There are different application methods, types or color schemes of floor markings that serve different purposes depending on the application area and needs. The most common method of applying floor markings is by paint and roller. Alternatives are spray cans, adhesive tape or screwed-on plastic or metal plates. The latter is mainly used for marking parking spaces. The width of the lines is 10 cm with the spray can and paint and widths of 5/ 7.5 or 10 cm are possible with the adhesive tape. Factors such as robustness, cost, effort and the area of application play a decisive role in the selection.
Procedure for applying floor markings and costs
The following procedure should be followed when applying marking lines:
- Clean the floor
- Measuring the marking lines
- Mark out the marking lines and tape them on both sides
- Sanding the floor with a hand tool
- Apply primer
- Apply material to areas to be marked
- Remove adhesive tape
Costs: approx. 30€ per running meter
Alternatives to painted or glued floor markings
Modern LED projectors offer the possibility of dispensing with glued or painted adhesive strips on the floor. In fact, physical strips are often exposed to destruction or covered in dirt. As a result, they are often not easily visible and pose potentially high risks to worker safety. LED projectors, on the other hand, can project very intense beams of green, red, blue or yellow light onto the floor and, unlike conventional applications, are always clearly visible as they project onto the floor from above. The devices can be installed at a height of 3 to 12 meters.
