Open Valve Before Running Out Hose Sign – FS0060

Open Valve Before Running Out Hose Sign – FS0060

This IMO fire control sign gives a critical operating instruction at a fire hose reel: open the valve before running out the hose, using the standard fire hose reel pictogram with plain wording and the IMO flame symbol. The open valve before running out hose sign reminds crew of the correct sequence for using a hose reel, since running out the hose without first opening the valve wastes precious time in an emergency and can lead to a hose that appears ready but delivers no water when needed.

Where this open valve before running out hose sign is used

This sign is mounted directly on or beside fire hose reel cabinets and stations throughout accommodation spaces, machinery spaces, and open decks, wherever a hose reel is provided as part of the vessel’s fixed firefighting system. Hose reels are designed for quick, one-person operation, but that speed depends on following the correct sequence, and this sign keeps that sequence visible at the exact point of use.

On vessels with hose reels fitted across multiple decks and fire zones, this open valve before running out hose sign is applied consistently at every reel so that any crew member, regardless of which station they reach first, knows the correct operating order without needing to stop and think or consult a manual during an actual fire.

During fire drills, this sign reinforces the habit of opening the valve first, so that when a hose reel is actually needed the correct sequence is already second nature. Any hose reel found without this sign, or with a sign that has faded or become illegible, should be corrected immediately, since a crew member unfamiliar with a particular reel is exactly who this sign is meant to guide.

This sign is checked during SOLAS fire safety surveys, where the surveyor confirms that operating instructions at hose reel stations are present, legible, and consistent with the equipment installed. Clear operating signage at firefighting equipment is a standard item reviewed during these inspections, since equipment that crew cannot operate correctly under pressure provides little real protection.

New crew are shown open valve before running out hose sign locations during safety inductions and hose reel familiarisation, since correct hose reel operation is basic fire safety knowledge expected of all crew, not just those with firefighting duties. This sign is commonly found alongside other primary firefighting signage such as the fire extinguisher sign and the fire hose reel sign, so a vessel’s hose reel stations are clearly and consistently marked from location through to correct use.

Hose reel stations are reviewed during routine equipment audits, and this sign should be checked at the same time to confirm it remains legible and correctly positioned relative to the valve and reel. A sign obscured by other equipment or removed during works is a common finding during external fire safety audits and should be corrected as soon as it is identified.

Because a hose reel that has been run out without the valve opened first can cost critical seconds in a real fire, keeping this instruction clear and visible is as important as keeping the reel itself properly maintained.

Technical specifications:
SKU: FS0060
IMPA: 33.6146
ISSA: 47.561.46
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 on or beside the fire hose reel cabinet. 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 or a custom layout? Contact us for a quote.