Halon Fire Extinguisher Sign

Halon Fire Extinguisher Sign – IMO Fire Control Symbol FS0184

The Halon Fire Extinguisher sign is a mandatory IMO fire control symbol used to mark the location of a portable halon fire extinguisher, on board a vessel. 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 halon fire extinguisher position instantly, regardless of the language they speak.

The symbol depicts a red portable fire extinguisher cylinder with a brown base band, labelled “H” beside it, denoting a halon extinguisher specifically as distinct from a CO2, powder, or foam extinguisher. 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 Halon Fire Extinguisher Location Matters

A halon fire extinguisher is a portable first-response appliance historically favoured for electrical fires and flammable liquid fires in confined spaces such as engine rooms, generator rooms, and switchboard rooms, where its clean gaseous discharge leaves no residue on sensitive electronics or machinery. Because portable extinguishers are mounted at multiple points throughout a vessel, crew need a clear, instantly recognisable sign to locate the nearest halon extinguisher quickly during a fire emergency or drill.

Because rapid, unambiguous identification of fixed fire-fighting equipment is so important during a fire emergency, SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the Fire Safety Systems Code require clear signage marking the position of every portable fire extinguisher so crew unfamiliar with a particular vessel, relief officers, and visiting surveyors can find them without delay. This sign is typically mounted directly above or beside the extinguisher bracket, and is also reproduced on the fire control plan posted at the gangway and bridge.

Compliance and Certification

This Halon Fire Extinguisher 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 FS0184 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 halon fire extinguisher location remains identifiable even during a blackout or power failure. This self-luminous performance is especially valuable in engine rooms and machinery spaces where visibility can drop sharply during a fire event.

Installation Recommendations

For best results, mount this sign at eye level directly above or beside the halon extinguisher bracket, 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 an engine room, generator room, or machinery space location.

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 Halon Fire Extinguisher 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 halon fire extinguisher sign is a small but essential part of a compliant fire control plan. Every halon fire extinguisher sign we supply is checked for compliance before dispatch. Order your Halon Fire Extinguisher 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.