International standards for caveats

[Andrew Warren]

Ronald Schwarz wrote:

> Can someone please remind me of the international standards governing
> the use of caveats in user documentation? I need both the standards
and
> the content. The standards can include engineering standards. For
> example, when can we use Note, Information, Warning, or Caution? The
> type of warning and the icon that accompanies it are what I need.

Ronald:

The international standard is ISO 3864.  I don't have a copy handy, but
the corresponding American standard, ANSI Z535-4, says:

  DANGER: Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
  will result in death or serious injury.  This signal word is to
  be limited to the most extreme situations.

  WARNING: Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
  could result in death or serious injury.

  CAUTION: Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
  could result in minor or moderate injury.  It may also be used
  without the safety alert symbol as an alternative to NOTICE.

  NOTICE: NOTICE is the preferred signal word to address practices
  not related to personal injury.  The safety alert symbol shall
  not be used with this signal word.  As an alternative to NOTICE,
  the word CAUTION without the safety alert symbol may be used to
  indicate a message not related to personal injury.    

There's an extensive library of symbols at:

  http://www.cptec.org/symbols.html

-Andrew

=== Andrew Warren  - awarren at synaptics.com
=== Synaptics, Inc - Santa Clara, CA