Powder Supplementary Sign – FS0030

Powder Supplementary Sign – FS0030

This IMO supplementary sign is a plain text plate reading “P”, used alongside a fixed fire-extinguishing pictogram sign to identify dry chemical powder as the specific extinguishing medium protecting a space or system. The powder supplementary sign removes any ambiguity about which agent a fixed installation, bottle, or release station uses, which matters because dry powder behaves very differently in a fire to a gas or foam agent and calls for its own clean-up and equipment-protection precautions.

Where this powder supplementary sign is used

This sign is fitted beside or below the main pictogram sign at fixed fire-extinguishing installation panels and release stations protecting spaces where a flammable liquid or electrical fire risk exists, such as galleys, paint lockers, and areas around switchboards and generators. Pairing this powder 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 matters most in machinery spaces where more than one fixed system type might otherwise be assumed.

Because dry powder works by interrupting the chemical chain reaction of combustion rather than by cooling or smothering in the way water or foam does, this supplementary sign helps crew understand they are dealing with a different clean-up task after discharge, since powder residue can be corrosive to some electrical and mechanical equipment if not removed promptly. Recognising the agent in advance helps crews plan the right post-incident response rather than improvising once the fire is out.

During weekly and monthly fire equipment inspections, crew confirm that this powder 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 the wrong response and clean-up procedure being applied.

This sign is checked during SOLAS fire safety surveys, where the surveyor confirms that fixed powder extinguishing systems are correctly identified at every release point and protected space entrance, with the extinguishing agent clearly named alongside the standard pictogram. A vessel with consistently labelled powder installations demonstrates that its fire safety documentation and physical signage are properly aligned.

New crew are shown this sign during safety inductions as part of learning to recognise which compartments and systems are protected by fixed dry powder rather than gas, foam, or water-based systems, since powder concentrate handling, storage, and post-discharge clean-up all differ meaningfully from other extinguishing media. This sign is commonly ordered alongside the fixed fire-extinguishing bottle sign used to mark the storage location of pressurised extinguishing agent containers more broadly.

Because fixed powder systems are particularly associated with electrical switchgear rooms and galley cooking equipment where a fast knockdown of flame is the priority, this supplementary sign appears wherever such a system has been installed specifically to address that hazard, distinguishing it from the CO2 and foam systems more commonly associated with enclosed machinery space and liquid fuel fires respectively.

Fixed powder systems are periodically inspected and function-tested by qualified technicians, including checks that the powder charge has not caked or degraded in storage, 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 correct extinguishing agent for a specific installation.

Technical specifications:
SKU: FS0030
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.