Start Air Supply Sign

Start Air Supply Sign – MS0037

The Start Air Supply Sign marks the valve or control point where compressed air must be started to feed critical shipboard equipment, such as an engine starting-air system, a pneumatic tool line, or a lifeboat engine’s air-start supply. This ISO 7010 mandatory-action pictogram instructs crew to open the air supply as a required step in a defined start-up or launch sequence, whether during routine engine-room operations, a lifeboat drill, or an emergency response.

Manufactured from durable photoluminescent material, MS0037 continues to glow after the vessel’s main lighting fails, keeping the instruction legible during a blackout, heavy smoke, or a night-time operation. Its blue circular field and white pictogram conform to the internationally recognised ISO 7010 mandatory-sign format, ensuring multinational crews understand the instruction instantly regardless of spoken language, consistent with the IMO’s harmonised shipboard signage requirements.

Why the Start Air Supply Instruction Matters

Compressed-air systems on board are often sequenced with other mechanical or electrical steps, and starting the air supply out of order can prevent an engine from turning over, stall a pneumatic system, or delay a lifeboat launch at a critical moment. A clear, standardised instruction at the valve or control point removes ambiguity for the operator, supporting a fast and correct start-up sequence under both routine and emergency conditions. Consistent signage across sister vessels also shortens the learning curve for crew transferring between ships in a fleet.

Compliance and Certification

MS0037 is produced to align with the ISO 7010 graphical symbol standard and supports compliance with the vessel’s Safety Management System under the ISM Code. Engine-room operating procedures and life-saving appliance start-up signage are addressed within SOLAS Chapter II-2 and Chapter III requirements respectively. For the full regulatory text, see the IMO’s SOLAS convention overview. Keeping this signage current and legible supports a positive outcome at Port State Control and flag-state inspections.

Installation Recommendations

Install MS0037 directly at the air supply valve or control station, positioned so the operator sees it immediately before opening the valve. Mount on a flat, stable surface using marine-grade adhesive or corrosion-resistant fasteners rated for continuous engine-room heat, vibration, and humidity. Keep the area clear of piping insulation, cable runs, or access panels that could obscure the sign, and confirm visibility under emergency lighting conditions.

• Photoluminescent pictogram charges under ambient light and glows during power loss
• ISO 7010 mandatory-action blue circle format for instant multilingual recognition
• Rigid, UV-stable substrate engineered for continuous marine and engine-room exposure
• Compact format suited to valve stations, control panels, and machinery-space signage runs
• Supports ISM Code safety-management and SOLAS operating-procedure documentation

Equip every air-supply valve and control station aboard your vessel with the MS0037 Start Air Supply Sign, and keep start-up procedures clear, compliant, and visible when it matters most.

Complete your vessel’s safety signage programme by pairing this sign with our Hazard Signs and Fire Fighting Signs ranges, ensuring full coverage across every shipboard risk area.