Heat Detector Sign

Heat Detector Sign – IMO Fire Control Symbol FS0197

The Heat Detector sign is a mandatory IMO fire control symbol used to mark the location of a heat detector, 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 heat detector position instantly, regardless of the language they speak.

The symbol depicts a stylised red thermometer inside a circular border, denoting an automatic detection device that senses a rapid rise in ambient temperature and triggers the vessel’s fire alarm system before flames can take hold. 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 Heat Detector Location Matters

A heat detector is a critical piece of automatic fire detection equipment that continuously monitors ambient temperature, and is often installed in spaces such as galleys and machinery spaces where smoke detectors are prone to false alarms from cooking fumes or engine exhaust. Because these detectors are distributed throughout a vessel as part of its fixed fire detection and alarm system, crew need a clear, instantly recognisable sign to identify a heat detector location quickly when maintaining, testing, or troubleshooting the system.

Because rapid, unambiguous identification of fire detection and alarm 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 heat detector, 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 detector head itself, and is also reproduced on the fire control plan posted at the gangway and bridge.

Compliance and Certification

This Heat Detector 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 FS0197 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 heat detector location remains identifiable even during a blackout or power failure. This self-luminous performance is especially valuable in galleys 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 heat detector it identifies, 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 galley 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 Heat Detector 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 sign is a small but essential part of a compliant fire control plan. Every sign we supply is checked for compliance before dispatch. Order your Heat Detector 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.