Pictograms

A pictogram is an image that represents an object. Pictograms are useful for conveying information through a common "visual language" able to be understood regardless of one's native language or degree of literacy. So that means that anyone in the world that is familiar with the fire extinguisher should recognize the pictogram above.

The fire extinguisher pictogram is part of an entire system of signage symbols developed by the United States Department of Transportation to help manage the flow of large amounts of people through transportation hubs. To encourage their adoption world-wide the symbols were made available for free. The American Institute of Graphic Arts played a pivotal role in the the design and development of these symbols.