Foam Bottles Protected Area Sign

Foam Bottles Protected Area Sign – IMO Fire Control Symbol FS0171

The Foam Bottles Protected Area sign is a mandatory IMO fire control symbol used to warn crew and visitors that a compartment or space is protected by a fixed foam fire-extinguishing system supplied from a dedicated cylinder bank. Recognised under IMO Resolution A.654(16) and reproduced to ISO 17631, this pictogram allows crew, surveyors, and shore-based emergency responders to identify a foam-protected space instantly, regardless of the language they speak.

The symbol depicts an alarm bell divided into a red upper section and a yellow lower section, labelled “F” above, warning that automatic or manual release of the fixed foam system will flood the space with foam concentrate. 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 Foam Bottles Protected Area Warning Matters

A space protected by a fixed foam fire-extinguishing battery, such as a pump room, machinery space, or flammable liquid storage area, can be flooded with foam concentrate the moment the system is triggered, creating a hazard for anyone still inside. This sign is posted at every entrance to the protected space so crew, contractors, and visitors are warned before entering that a discharge could occur without further notice, and that they must evacuate immediately if the alarm sounds.

Because rapid, unambiguous warning of foam-protected spaces is critical to preventing crew injury, SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the Fire Safety Systems Code require clear signage at every access point to a space served by a fixed foam fire-extinguishing system. This sign is typically mounted directly beside each entrance door or hatch leading into the protected compartment, and is also reproduced on the fire control plan posted at the gangway and bridge.

Compliance and Certification

This Foam Bottles Protected Area 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 FS0171 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 foam hazard warning remains visible even during a blackout or power failure. This self-luminous performance is especially valuable in machinery spaces and access trunks where visibility can drop sharply during a fire or smoke event.

Installation Recommendations

For best results, mount this sign at eye level directly beside every access door or hatch leading into the foam-protected compartment, 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 machinery space or access trunk.

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 Foam Bottles Protected Area 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 panels and bulkheads
• Waterproof and saltwater resistant for long-term use throughout the vessel
• Matches the standard pictogram used fleet-wide on fire control plans for consistent crew recognition

This foam bottles protected area sign is a small but essential part of a compliant fire control plan. Every foam bottles protected area sign we supply is checked for compliance before dispatch. Order your Foam Bottles Protected Area 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.