Fire Hose and Nozzle Sign – FS0021

Fire Hose and Nozzle Sign – FS0021

This IMO fire control sign identifies the location of a fire hose reel and nozzle, shown in the pictogram as a coiled hose with a spray nozzle beside rising flames. The fire hose and nozzle sign marks one of the most frequently used pieces of active fire-fighting equipment on any vessel, providing a direct connection to the ship’s fire main for tackling a fire with a sustained water jet or spray pattern.

Where this fire hose and nozzle sign is used

Fire hose reels are positioned at regular intervals throughout accommodation spaces, engine rooms, cargo areas, and open decks, so that no point on the vessel is ever far from an immediate water supply. This fire hose and nozzle sign is fixed directly above or beside each reel station, letting crew locate the nearest hose within seconds of an alarm being raised, well before a fire has time to spread beyond its point of origin.

Because a hose reel must unwind freely and swing through a full arc to reach every corner of its coverage area, the deck or bulkhead space around the reel needs to remain clear of stores, furniture, or equipment that could snag the hose during deployment. This fire hose and nozzle sign helps confirm that a station has not been obstructed since its last inspection, which matters most in narrow passageways and machinery spaces where clutter tends to accumulate.

During weekly and monthly fire equipment inspections, crew confirm that the hose is correctly flaked or coiled on its reel, that the nozzle turns freely between jet and spray settings, that the isolating valve is not seized, and that this sign remains legible at the station. A reel found with a perished hose, a seized valve, or a missing nozzle should be reported and corrected immediately, since fire hoses are typically the first line of active response to any fire on board.

This sign is checked during SOLAS fire safety surveys, where the surveyor confirms that hose reels are correctly spaced to give full coverage of every space, fitted with the correct length and diameter of hose for their location, clearly signed, and demonstrably functional under a pressure test. A vessel with well-maintained, clearly signed hose stations shows a strong first line of defence before larger fixed systems or portable extinguishers are even needed.

New crew are shown this sign during fire safety inductions, since operating a fire hose safely means understanding how to open the isolating valve, control the nozzle pattern, and brace against the reaction force of a full water jet without losing control of the hose. This sign is commonly ordered alongside other core fire-fighting equipment signage, such as the fire monitor sign used for higher-capacity fixed nozzles in the same fire zones.

Because fire hose stations are used so frequently, both in real incidents and in routine fire drills, keeping each one clearly signed also supports faster, more confident drill performance, since crew do not waste time during a timed drill searching for equipment they already know should be nearby.

Fire hoses are periodically pressure-tested and visually inspected for cracking, abrasion, or perishing of the hose material, particularly on older hoses exposed to sunlight and salt air on open decks. A hose that fails a pressure test is one of the more common findings during external fire safety audits, so this fire hose and nozzle sign is also a useful prompt for crew to confirm the test and replacement schedule for each station is current.

Technical specifications:
SKU: FS0021
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 to a clean, dry surface at the hose reel station. Available in the standard sizes shown above to suit different compartment layouts.

This sign is produced to IMO fire control symbol specifications for consistent recognition across international fleets. Need a different size? Contact us for a quote.

This fire hose and nozzle sign clearly marks the location of fixed fire hose and nozzle equipment for fast crew response during a fire emergency. Browse our full range of fire fighting signs for more IMO-compliant maritime safety signage.