Overview
ISO 24409-3:2014 - Ships and marine technology - Part 3: Code of practice - is the international code of practice for the consistent design, location and use of shipboard safety signs, safety-related signs, safety notices and safety markings. It provides practical guidance on the layout and implementation of escape route signing, fire control plan signs, life‑saving and fire‑fighting equipment signing, and related installation, illumination and maintenance considerations. The standard complements SOLAS requirements and other ISO shipboard guidance to improve wayfinding, orientation and emergency evacuation readiness on ships and offshore installations.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Escape route signing system: Principles for providing continuous, unambiguous signage from any location to assembly or embarkation stations, including planning to avoid confusion and identify dead ends.
- Sign location and mounting: Guidance on mounting height, positioning relative to doors, stair landings and architectural features to ensure conspicuousness in normal and emergency lighting.
- Graphical symbols and supplementary text: Use of standardized pictograms (e.g., assembly and exit symbols) with directional arrows and optional text to increase comprehension.
- Fire control plan signing: Requirements for signs and mimic diagrams that support ship officers in fire response and routeing to fire‑fighting equipment.
- Signing for equipment: Identification and location marking for fire‑fighting equipment, life‑saving appliances and embarkation stations.
- Illumination and photometric performance: Recommendations for phosphorescent sign properties and lighting levels to ensure visibility under emergency conditions.
- Sign size and viewing distance: Criteria to select sign dimensions appropriate to viewing distances and ship spaces.
- Documentation, inspection and maintenance: Requirements for documenting the signing system, crew familiarization (videos, leaflets, mimic signs), and periodic inspection and upkeep.
- Scope exclusions: Low‑location lighting systems are excluded (covered by ISO 15370).
Practical applications and users
ISO 24409-3 is used to design, verify and implement maritime safety signage across passenger ships, cargo vessels and offshore installations. Typical users include:
- Ship designers and naval architects integrating means-of-escape plans
- Shipowners, operators and safety officers developing evacuation and familiarization programs
- Shipyards and sign manufacturers producing compliant safety signs and installations
- Classification societies and regulatory authorities assessing conformance with SOLAS and IMO provisions
- Crew trainers and safety auditors conducting drills and inspections
Related standards
- ISO 24409-1 (Design principles)
- ISO 24409-2 (Catalogue of signs)
- ISO 15370 (Low‑location lighting)
- ISO 17631 (Shipboard plans for fire protection and means of escape)
- SOLAS and the IMO Fire Safety Systems (FSS) Code
Keywords: ISO 24409-3:2014, shipboard safety signs, escape route signage, fire control plan signing, maritime safety signage, phosphorescent signs, means of escape.