Emergency Switchboard Sign

Emergency Switchboard Sign – IMO Fire Control Symbol FS0139

The Emergency Switchboard sign is a mandatory IMO fire control symbol used to mark the location of a vessel’s emergency switchboard, the backup electrical distribution panel that keeps essential systems running when the main power supply fails. Recognised under IMO Resolution A.654(16) and reproduced to ISO 17631, this pictogram is instantly identifiable to crew, surveyors, and emergency responders across any flag state or nationality, removing language barriers during a critical incident.

The symbol itself depicts a red-outlined rectangular panel divided into three vertical sections, with a bold lightning-bolt arrow running through the centre section to represent live electrical distribution. This design is part of the internationally standardised set of fire control and electrical safety symbols found on fire control plans, damage control plans, and general arrangement drawings fitted throughout commercial vessels, offshore installations, and naval craft.

Why the Emergency Switchboard Location Matters

This backup panel supplies power to critical loads such as emergency lighting, navigation equipment, fire pumps, watertight door controls, and communication systems whenever the main switchboard is disabled, whether by fire, flooding, blackout, or mechanical failure. SOLAS Chapter II-1 requires every vessel above a certain size to carry an independent emergency source of electrical power, and the emergency switchboard is the distribution point through which that backup power reaches the ship’s essential services.

Because this distribution panel is so central to a vessel’s survivability during a casualty, its physical location must be clearly signposted so that engineers, electricians, and emergency response teams can find it immediately, even in low visibility, smoke, or during an unfamiliar crew’s first days aboard. This sign is typically mounted directly above or beside the enclosure itself, as well as being reproduced on fire control plans posted at the gangway, bridge, and engine control room.

Compliance and Certification

This Emergency Switchboard sign is manufactured to comply fully with IMO Resolution A.654(16) and ISO 17631 symbol requirements, ensuring the pictogram, colour scheme, and proportions match the internationally recognised standard expected during port state control inspections, classification society surveys, and SOLAS compliance audits. Using signage that deviates from the approved symbol library can result in survey deficiencies, so every FS0139 sign leaving our warehouse is checked against the current IMO symbol register before dispatch.

Manufactured from durable photoluminescent, self-adhesive vinyl, the sign remains visible even during a power outage, charging under normal ambient light and glowing for extended periods in darkness. This self-luminous performance is especially valuable in engine rooms and switchboard spaces where lighting may be compromised during an emergency, giving engineers a fast, reliable visual reference to the panel’s exact location.

Installation Recommendations

For best results, mount this sign at eye level directly on or immediately adjacent to the switchboard enclosure, in a position that remains unobstructed by cable trays, doors, or maintenance access panels. The surface should be clean, dry, and free of oil or grease before applying the self-adhesive backing to ensure a permanent bond that will withstand the vibration, humidity, and temperature fluctuations typical of an engine room or dedicated switchboard compartment.

Vessels undergoing a fire control plan update, newbuild fit-out, or SOLAS compliance retrofit should ensure the Emergency Switchboard sign is included alongside the complete suite of IMO fire control symbols so that the fire control plan matches the physical signage installed throughout the ship. Consistency between the printed fire control plan and the signs actually fitted onboard is a common focus area during flag state and classification surveys.

Key features of this Emergency Switchboard sign include:

• Complies with IMO Resolution A.654(16) and ISO 17631 fire control symbol standards
• Photoluminescent vinyl construction for visibility during power loss or low-light conditions
• Self-adhesive backing for fast, permanent installation on switchboard enclosures and bulkheads
• Weather and corrosion resistant for long-term use in engine rooms and exposed compartments
• Matches the standard pictogram used on fire control plans fleet-wide for consistent crew recognition

Order your Emergency Switchboard sign today to keep your vessel’s fire control plan and physical signage fully aligned, supporting crew safety, SOLAS compliance, and smooth passage through your next port state control or classification survey.

For more information on the international symbol standards referenced above, see the International Maritime Organization resolution library. Browse our full range of Fire Fighting Signs for more IMO-compliant fire control signage for your vessel.