Remote Release Station Water Sign

Remote Release Station Water Sign – IMO Fire Control Symbol FS0156

The Remote Release Station Water sign is a mandatory IMO fire control symbol used to mark the location of the remote activation point for a vessel’s fixed pressure water spraying or water mist fire-extinguishing system. Recognised under IMO Resolution A.654(16) and reproduced to ISO 17631, this pictogram allows crew, surveyors, and shore-based emergency responders to identify the release point instantly, regardless of the language they speak.

The symbol depicts a gas cylinder with a red valve top set inside a triangle outline, with the letter “W” beside it to denote the water extinguishing medium specifically (as distinct from the equivalent remote release symbols used for CO2, nitrogen, halon, or powder systems). 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 Remote Release Station Location Matters

A fixed pressure water system releases a rapid, high-volume discharge into a protected space, such as a machinery space, cargo pump room, or a designated fire zone, to control or extinguish a fire before it can spread. Because the space must be fully evacuated before release, the remote activation point is deliberately located outside the protected space itself, often in a dedicated pump room or at a clearly marked control station, so crew can trigger the system safely once the space is confirmed clear.

Because rapid, unambiguous identification of the release point is so important during a fire emergency, SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the Fire Safety Systems Code require clear signage marking its location so crew unfamiliar with a particular vessel, relief officers, and visiting surveyors can find it without delay. This sign is typically mounted directly above or beside the release station itself, and is also reproduced on the fire control plan posted at the gangway and bridge.

Compliance and Certification

This Remote Release Station Water 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 FS0156 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 release station remains identifiable even during a blackout or power failure. This self-luminous performance is especially valuable in machinery spaces and control rooms where visibility can drop sharply during a fire or smoke event.

Installation Recommendations

For best results, mount this sign at eye level directly above or beside the water remote release control, 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 dedicated pump room.

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 Remote Release Station Water 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 remote release station water sign is a small but essential part of a compliant fire control plan. Order your Remote Release Station Water 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.