Halon Supplementary Sign – FS0028

Halon Supplementary Sign – FS0028

This IMO supplementary sign is a plain text plate reading “H”, used alongside a fixed fire-extinguishing pictogram sign to identify halon as the specific extinguishing medium protecting a space or system. The halon supplementary sign removes any ambiguity about which gas a fixed installation, bottle, or release station uses, which matters because halon is an older gas-flooding agent that displaces oxygen and calls for the same strict evacuation and ventilation precautions as other total-flooding systems before entry.

Where this halon supplementary sign is used

This sign is fitted beside or below the main pictogram sign at fixed fire-extinguishing installation panels and release stations on older vessels still fitted with legacy halon total-flooding systems, most commonly protecting machinery spaces and cargo pump rooms built before halon’s phase-out under international environmental agreements. Pairing this halon supplementary sign with the pictogram, such as the fixed fire-extinguishing installation sign, gives crew and visitors both the symbol and the plain-text confirmation of what agent will be released, which is especially important given how many vessels have since converted to CO2 or other replacement agents.

Because a halon flooding system displaces oxygen in the protected space in the same way a CO2 system does, this supplementary sign is fitted at compartment entrances to warn that evacuation must be complete and confirmed before the system is released, and that the space must not be re-entered until it has been proven safe by test or ventilation. Keeping this sign clearly legible at every relevant entrance is a direct life-safety measure on any vessel still operating this equipment.

During weekly and monthly fire equipment inspections, crew confirm that this halon supplementary sign remains legible and correctly paired with its associated pictogram sign, and that it has not become separated from the installation it labels during repainting or maintenance work. A supplementary sign found missing or illegible should be replaced immediately, since misidentifying the extinguishing agent protecting a space can lead to a serious misjudgement during an emergency.

This sign is checked during SOLAS fire safety surveys, where the surveyor confirms that fixed gas extinguishing systems are correctly identified at every release point and protected space entrance, with the extinguishing agent clearly named alongside the standard pictogram, and that any halon system still in service is documented in line with current environmental and safety regulations governing this class of agent. A vessel with consistently labelled halon installations demonstrates that its fire safety documentation and physical signage are properly aligned even for legacy equipment.

New crew are shown this sign during safety inductions as part of learning to recognise which compartments are protected by gas flooding systems, since entering a space after a halon release without confirming it is safe to breathe carries the same risks as a CO2 release. This sign is commonly ordered alongside the fixed fire-extinguishing bottle sign used to mark the storage location of the halon cylinders themselves.

Because halon has been phased out in most new installations due to its ozone-depleting properties, this supplementary sign is now most commonly found on older vessels and in retrofitted spaces where converting to a replacement agent has not yet occurred, making accurate identification of the agent in use even more important for crew and visiting technicians unfamiliar with the vessel’s specific fire safety history.

Fixed halon systems are periodically inspected and function-tested by qualified technicians in accordance with applicable environmental handling requirements, and this supplementary sign should be checked at the same time to confirm it remains attached, legible, and correctly positioned alongside its pictogram sign. A worn or missing supplementary sign is one of the smaller but still reportable findings during external fire safety audits, since it directly affects how quickly crew can identify the hazard associated with a specific installation.

Technical specifications:
SKU: FS0028
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 beside its associated pictogram sign. 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? Contact us for a quote.