Ventilation Remote Shut-Off Accommodation Sign

Ventilation Remote Shut-Off (Accommodation) Sign – IMO Fire Control Symbol FS0086-B

The Ventilation Remote Shut-Off sign for accommodation and service spaces is a mandatory IMO fire control symbol used to mark the location of the remote control point for shutting down ventilation fans serving accommodation and service areas of 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 the shut-off point instantly, regardless of the language they speak.

The symbol depicts a blue circle divided into four quarters by a cross, set inside a triangle outline, with the letter “A” beside it to denote accommodation and service spaces specifically (as distinct from the equivalent symbol used for machinery spaces or cargo holds). 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 Ventilation Remote Shut-Off Location Matters

In the event of a fire, shutting down ventilation fans quickly starves the fire of fresh air and prevents smoke and toxic gases from spreading through ductwork into accommodation corridors, cabins, and public spaces. Remote shut-off stations allow this to be done from a single, clearly marked location without crew needing to enter the affected space or search individual fan rooms during an emergency.

Because rapid identification of the shut-off point is so important during the first critical minutes of an incident, 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 at the remote control station itself, often near the bridge, fire control station, or emergency generator room, and is also reproduced on the fire control plan posted at the gangway.

Compliance and Certification

This Ventilation Remote Shut-Off 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 FS0086-B 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 shut-off point remains identifiable even during a blackout or power failure. This self-luminous performance is especially valuable in control stations and machinery spaces 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 remote ventilation shut-off 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 control station or machinery space.

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 Ventilation Remote Shut-Off 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

Order your Ventilation Remote Shut-Off 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.