Fire Hydrant Sign – FS0049

Fire Hydrant Sign – FS0049

This IMO fire control sign identifies the location of a fire hydrant, the fixed connection point on a vessel’s fire main from which crew can attach a hose to draw pressurised water during a fire. The fire hydrant sign combines the standard firefighter’s helmet pictogram with plain wording and the IMO flame symbol, letting crew locate this critical water source quickly during an emergency, without needing to trace pipework or consult a plan first.

Where this fire hydrant sign is used

This sign is mounted directly above or beside each fire hydrant outlet along a vessel’s fire main, in locations such as open decks, machinery spaces, accommodation stairwells, and cargo areas, wherever SOLAS fire main requirements call for hydrant connections to be provided. Because a hydrant may need to be found and used quickly by crew unfamiliar with a particular deck or compartment, this sign is designed to stand out at a glance against surrounding equipment and pipework.

On vessels with hydrants spaced along a long fire main, this fire hydrant sign is applied consistently at every outlet so that crew running out a hose during a drill or real fire can identify the nearest working connection point without hesitation. This consistency is especially important on larger vessels, where the fire main may run the full length of the ship and hydrants can otherwise be difficult to distinguish from other deck fittings.

During fire drills, this sign is used as the reference point for hose teams rehearsing hydrant connection, hose deployment, and pressurisation procedures, confirming that crew assigned to each fire zone know exactly where their nearest hydrant is located. Any hydrant found with a missing, damaged, or illegible sign should be corrected immediately, since delay in locating a water source is one of the most serious risks during an escalating fire.

This sign is checked during SOLAS fire safety surveys, where the surveyor confirms that hydrants shown on the vessel’s fire control plan are present, correctly connected to the fire main, and clearly signed at every location. Complete and legible hydrant signage along the full length of the fire main is a standard item reviewed during these inspections, given how central the fire main is to a vessel’s overall firefighting capability.

New crew are shown fire hydrant sign locations during safety inductions and fire team musters, since knowing the nearest hydrant to their workstation and cabin is considered basic shipboard fire safety knowledge. This sign is commonly ordered alongside other primary firefighting signage such as the fire hose sign and the fire extinguisher sign, so a vessel’s fire main and its associated equipment form one complete, easily recognised signage set.

Fire hydrants and their signage are reviewed during routine equipment audits and after any refit or repiping of deck or machinery spaces, and this sign should be checked at the same time to confirm it remains correctly positioned and legible. A hydrant relocated or capped during works and left without an updated sign is a common finding during external fire safety audits and should be corrected as soon as it is identified.

Hydrant outlets exposed to weather on open decks are particularly prone to corrosion, salt spray, and UV fading, so this sign is manufactured to remain legible in harsh marine conditions over the long term. Crew carrying out routine deck rounds should confirm the sign at each hydrant is still clearly readable and that the cap and hose coupling behind it are free of corrosion or damage, since a sign alone does not guarantee the equipment underneath is fully serviceable.

Technical specifications:
SKU: FS0049
Compliant: IMO Resolution A.1116(30)

• Fire-retardant marine-grade material
• Available in non-glow vinyl, general purpose glow, or DNV Wheelmark certified Class C / Class D photoluminescent film
• Waterproof and saltwater resistant
• Glossy wipe-clean finish
• Peel-and-stick installation, no tools or drilling

Supplied ready to apply directly above or beside the fire hydrant outlet. Available in the standard size shown above.

This sign is produced to IMO fire control symbol specifications for consistent recognition across international fleets. Need a different size or a custom layout? Contact us for a quote.