Breathing Air Compressor Sign

Breathing Air Compressor Sign – IMO Fire Control Symbol FS0140

The Breathing Air Compressor sign is a mandatory IMO fire control symbol used to mark the location of the compressor unit that fills and recharges self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinders aboard a vessel. Recognised under IMO Resolution A.654(16) and IMO Resolution A.952(23), and reproduced to ISO 17631, this pictogram allows crew, surveyors, and shore-based emergency responders to identify the compressor’s location instantly, regardless of the language they speak.

The symbol depicts a red-outlined rectangular panel enclosing a circular tank shape crossed by two diagonal lines, representing the compressed air cylinder and delivery lines associated with a breathing air compressor unit. This design belongs to the internationally standardised library of fire control and breathing apparatus symbols found on fire control plans, damage control plans, and general arrangement drawings across commercial vessels, offshore platforms, and naval ships.

Why the Breathing Air Compressor Matters

A breathing air compressor is the equipment that recharges SCBA cylinders used by firefighting teams, engine room crew, and rescue parties when entering smoke-filled or oxygen-deficient spaces during a fire, chemical release, or confined-space emergency. Without a reliable, correctly located compressor, a vessel’s firefighting teams could exhaust their air supply and have no means of refilling cylinders during an extended incident, directly compromising crew safety and the ship’s ability to fight a sustained fire.

Because rapid access to this equipment can be critical during a prolonged firefighting operation, SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the Fire Safety Systems Code require clear signage identifying the compressor’s location so that breathing apparatus can be recharged quickly between entries. This sign is typically fitted directly on or beside the compressor unit itself, usually located in a dedicated compressor room, breathing apparatus locker area, or engine room space, and is also reproduced on the fire control plan posted at the gangway and bridge.

Compliance and Certification

This Breathing Air Compressor sign is manufactured to comply fully with IMO Resolution A.654(16), IMO Resolution A.952(23), and ISO 17631 symbol requirements, ensuring the pictogram, colour scheme, and proportions match the standard expected during port state control inspections, classification society surveys, and SOLAS compliance audits. Non-standard or incorrectly proportioned signage is a common source of survey deficiencies, so every FS0140 sign is checked against the current IMO symbol register before it leaves our warehouse.

Manufactured from durable photoluminescent, self-adhesive vinyl, this sign charges under normal ambient lighting and glows for an extended period in the dark, ensuring the compressor location remains identifiable even during a blackout or power failure. This self-luminous performance is especially valuable in engine rooms and compressor spaces where visibility can be significantly reduced during an emergency.

Installation Recommendations

For best results, mount this sign at eye level directly on or immediately adjacent to the compressor housing, in a position that stays visible and unobstructed by piping, cable trays, or maintenance access panels. Clean the mounting surface thoroughly to remove any oil, grease, or moisture before applying the self-adhesive backing, ensuring a permanent bond capable of withstanding the vibration and temperature fluctuations typical of a compressor or engine room space.

Vessels undergoing a fire control plan update, newbuild fit-out, or SOLAS compliance retrofit should ensure this sign is included alongside the complete suite of IMO fire control symbols so that the printed fire control plan matches the physical signage installed throughout the ship. Surveyors routinely cross-check the fire control plan against signage actually fitted onboard, making consistency between the two a key focus area during flag state and classification inspections.

Key features of this Breathing Air Compressor sign include:

• Complies with IMO Resolution A.654(16), A.952(23) 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 compressor housings and bulkheads
• Waterproof and saltwater resistant for long-term use in engine rooms and compressor spaces
• Matches the standard pictogram used fleet-wide on fire control plans for consistent crew recognition

Order your Breathing Air Compressor sign today to keep your vessel’s fire control plan and physical signage fully aligned, supporting crew safety, SOLAS compliance, and a smooth outcome at 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.