Drinking Water Sign with Wording

Drinking Water Sign with Wording – SOLAS Life Saving Appliance LA0059

Every SOLAS-classed vessel must clearly identify which taps and outlets supply potable drinking water, keeping crew and passengers away from non-potable systems such as washdown, ballast, or grey-water lines. The LA0059 drinking water sign combines the internationally recognised tap-and-glass pictogram with the bold “DRINKING WATER” text designation, glowing brightly on a photoluminescent green background so it remains legible even after main lighting has failed.

Combining pictogram and wording gives this sign extra clarity in galleys, mess rooms, and crew accommodation, where a quick text confirmation reinforces the symbol at a glance for a multinational crew, a port state control inspector, or a passenger unfamiliar with the vessel’s plumbing layout. That dual approach is consistent with the marking philosophy set out in SOLAS Chapter III and the LSA Code for welfare and life-saving management aboard a vessel, and it is why shipowners fit worded drinking water signs alongside pictogram-only versions throughout a vessel.

Why Drinking Water Signs Matter

Confusing a non-potable outlet for a drinking water tap is a genuine health hazard, particularly aboard vessels with parallel fresh, technical, and salt-water systems running through similar-looking fittings. The drinking water sign removes that ambiguity at a glance, letting crew and passengers identify safe outlets instantly in galleys, mess rooms, crew accommodation, and public areas without needing to ask or consult a plumbing diagram.

The sign also plays a role well beyond day-to-day convenience. During musters, hygiene inspections, and flag-state or class surveys, inspectors check that potable water points are clearly and consistently marked in line with the vessel’s safety and health management plan. A missing or ambiguous drinking water sign is a common finding on port state control and public health inspections, and rectifying it after the fact is far more disruptive than fitting a compliant sign during the original outfit.

Compliance and Certification

This sign is manufactured to the pictogram and wording format required under SOLAS Chapter III and the LSA Code, which set out equipment carriage and marking requirements for life-saving and welfare-related appliances on ships of all classes. The photoluminescent substrate meets IMO photoluminescence performance standards, meaning the drinking water sign continues to glow for an extended period after the loss of ambient light, satisfying low-location and emergency-lighting marking expectations that class societies look for during survey.

Using the correct, unaltered pictogram and wording also keeps a vessel’s safety and hygiene plans consistent with what is physically fitted onboard. Safety plans, muster lists, and crew familiarisation drills all reference standard symbols, so a sign that departs from the recognised drinking water format can create confusion during an audit or day-to-day operation.

Installation Recommendations

Mount the LA0059 sign directly above or immediately adjacent to the potable water tap or outlet it identifies, at a height and angle that keeps it visible from the main approach line in the galley, mess room, or accommodation space. Position the sign clear of splash zones, shelving, or fittings that could obscure it, since photoluminescent material needs direct exposure to ambient or emergency lighting to charge properly.

Clean the surface before fitting with marine-grade adhesive or mechanical fixings appropriate to the substrate — stainless steel, laminate, or painted bulkhead — and avoid placing the sign where condensation or frequent washing could compromise the adhesive bond.

• Standard sizing to match IMO sign format requirements, with larger formats available for busy galleys and mess areas
• Photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) pigment for visibility during blackout or low-light conditions
• UV-stable and moisture-resistant construction rated for continuous interior marine exposure
• Self-adhesive backing plus optional screw-fixing points for secure mounting on vertical or curved surfaces
• Rigid, corrosion-resistant substrate that resists cracking and fading through repeated cleaning cycles

Fit LA0059 at every potable water outlet aboard and keep a spare in the ship’s safety locker so a damaged sign can be replaced without delay — a small, inexpensive item that keeps crew and passenger welfare marking clear and audit-ready.

Drinking water signage is one part of a complete life-saving and welfare marking package. Explore our Hazard Signs range for onboard hazard identification, or the Fire Fighting Signs range to complete marking of fire-fighting stations and appliances throughout the vessel.