Fire Alarm Panel Sign

Fire Alarm Panel Sign – IMO Fire Control Symbol FS0141

The Fire Alarm Panel sign is a mandatory IMO fire control symbol used to mark the location of a vessel’s fire alarm panel, the control unit that displays and manages signals from the ship’s fire detection system. Recognised under IMO Resolution A.654(16) and reproduced to ISO 17631, this pictogram allows crew, surveyors, and shore-based emergency responders to identify the panel’s location instantly, regardless of the language they speak.

The symbol depicts a rectangle divided diagonally into two triangular sections, one filled solid red and the other left in outline, representing the alarm indication and control function of the panel. This design forms part of the internationally standardised library of fire control symbols found on fire control plans, damage control plans, and general arrangement drawings across commercial vessels, offshore installations, and naval ships.

Why the Fire Alarm Panel Location Matters

A fire alarm panel is the nerve centre of a vessel’s fire detection system, receiving signals from smoke detectors, heat detectors, and manual call points located throughout the ship and displaying the exact zone or compartment where an alarm has been triggered. When a fire is detected, the speed at which the bridge team or duty officer can locate and interpret this panel directly affects how quickly the crew can respond, muster, and begin firefighting or evacuation procedures.

Because rapid identification of the alarm panel is so important during the first critical minutes of an incident, SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the Fire Safety Systems Code require clear signage marking its location so crew unfamiliar with a particular vessel, relief officers, or visiting surveyors can find it without delay. This sign is typically mounted directly above or beside the panel itself, usually located on the bridge, in the engine control room, or at the fire control station, and is also reproduced on the fire control plan posted at the gangway.

Compliance and Certification

This Fire Alarm Panel 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 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 FS0141 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 panel location remains identifiable even during a blackout or power failure. This self-luminous performance is especially valuable on the bridge and in control rooms where quick, reliable identification is critical during an emergency.

Installation Recommendations

For best results, mount this sign at eye level directly on or immediately adjacent to the panel housing, in a position that stays visible and unobstructed by cabling, fittings, or nearby equipment. Clean the mounting surface thoroughly to remove any dust, oil, or moisture before applying the self-adhesive backing, ensuring a permanent bond that will hold up to the conditions typical of a bridge, control room, or engine 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 Fire Alarm Panel 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 panel housings and bulkheads
• Weather and corrosion resistant for long-term use on the bridge and in control spaces
• Matches the standard pictogram used fleet-wide on fire control plans for consistent crew recognition

Order your Fire Alarm Panel 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.