For Use on Electrical Fires Sign – FS0056

For Use on Electrical Fires Sign – FS0056

This IMO fire control sign identifies a fire extinguisher rated for use on electrical fires, using a fire extinguisher pictogram with plain wording and the IMO flame symbol. The for use on electrical fires sign is mounted directly on or beside an extinguisher bracket so crew can confirm at a glance that the extinguisher within reach is safe to use on live electrical equipment before they use it.

Where this for use on electrical fires sign is used

This sign is applied wherever an extinguisher suitable for electrical fires, typically a CO2 unit, is mounted, including switchboards, engine control rooms, electrical panels, generator spaces, and any other area where live electrical equipment presents a fire risk. Using an extinguisher containing a conductive agent, such as water or foam, on a live electrical fire can cause electric shock and make the situation more dangerous, so confirming extinguisher suitability before use is a genuine safety step, not a formality.

On vessels with multiple extinguisher types distributed across different classes of fire risk, this for use on electrical fires sign lets crew under pressure select the correct unit immediately, without needing to read technical labelling or recall extinguisher class charts from training. This consistency also supports visiting surveyors confirming that extinguisher types match the fire risks present in each space per the vessel’s fire control plan.

During fire drills, this sign is used as a teaching point for crew learning to match extinguisher type to fire class, reinforcing that reaching for any nearby extinguisher is not sufficient when the fire involves live electrical equipment. Any extinguisher found with a missing, damaged, or illegible suitability sign should be checked immediately to confirm its correct type and location before being returned to service.

This sign is checked during SOLAS fire safety surveys, where the surveyor confirms that extinguishers are correctly rated and clearly marked for the fire risks present in their mounting location. Correct extinguisher classification signage is a standard item reviewed during these inspections, since mismatched extinguisher types are a recognised safety hazard rather than a minor labelling issue.

New crew are shown for use on electrical fires sign locations during safety inductions, since understanding extinguisher classes and matching them to fire types is core fire safety knowledge expected of everyone on board. This sign is commonly found alongside the fire extinguisher sign marking the extinguisher’s general location, with this sign providing the more specific suitability detail once crew have located the unit. It is also closely related to the for use on flammable liquid fires sign, which marks extinguishers rated for a different fire class, so crew learn to check both markings rather than assuming any extinguisher will do.

Extinguishers and their classification signage are reviewed during routine equipment audits and after any refit or change to a space’s electrical installations, and this sign should be checked at the same time to confirm the extinguisher type still matches the current fire risk in that location. An extinguisher relocated or replaced during works and left with a mismatched or outdated suitability sign is a common finding during external fire safety audits and should be corrected as soon as it is identified.

Because using the wrong extinguisher type on a live electrical fire can create an electric shock hazard in addition to the fire itself, this sign should never be treated as optional signage. Keeping it legible and correctly matched to the extinguisher it accompanies is as important as keeping the extinguisher itself in service.

Technical specifications:
SKU: FS0056
IMPA: 33.6165
ISSA: 47.561.65
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 on or beside the extinguisher bracket. 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.