FIRE PROTECTION

Signage indicating the location of firefighting equipment. Symbols must be photoluminescent or illuminated by emergency lighting. ASR A1.3.

According to SOLAS regulations (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea), symbols must be either photoluminescent or illuminated by emergency lighting.

Regulations for Ships
Although not mandatory, many ships use signs representing Fire Plan symbols to identify equipment on board. There are currently two sets of Fire Plan symbols.

SOLAS Consolidated Edition 2001, Chapter II-2, Regulation 20, and SOLAS 2000 Amendments, Chapter II-2, Regulation 24, require the use of fire control symbols on Fire Plans in accordance with IMO Resolution A.654(16), which are available as signs.

SOLAS Consolidated Edition 2004, Chapter II-2, Regulation 15, as amended, requires the use of fire control symbols in accordance with IMO Resolution A.952(23), which refers to ISO 17631 and applies to ships built after January 2000. Symbols per ISO 17631, referenced in IMO Resolution A.952(23), are available as signs.

Therefore, ships built before January 2004 may continue to use symbols from Resolution A.654(16) until a major modification or replacement of the Fire Plans is required. When this occurs, ISO 17631 symbols must be used to compile new plans, regardless of the ship's age. If posters were used to identify Fire Control Equipment, these must also be updated to comply with ISO 17631.