What Are Safety Instruction Signs?
Safety Instruction Signs help passengers and crew quickly understand and follow Escape Routes and emergency procedures. Their purpose is to support safe, structured evacuation during critical situations. There are two main types of Safety Instruction Signs:
1. Cabin Safety Instruction Signs
These signs are placed in passenger or crew cabins and clearly display both the primary and alternative escape routes to the assigned assembly station. The layout includes a plan view and side view of the escape paths, emergency instructions, and visual guidance for donning lifejackets. To ensure consistency and compliance, the depicted routes must align with the Low Location Lighting (LLL) system, eye-level escape signage, and the vessel’s embarkation plan.
2. Public Area Safety Instruction Signs
Installed in public spaces on board, these signs help individuals orient themselves by showing their current location in relation to the nearest assembly stations. They also include emergency instructions and, when placed near lifejacket lockers, explain how to properly put on a lifejacket. In addition, they provide a clear deck plan view of lifeboat positions, embarkation points, and lifejacket storage areas.
Why Are Safety Instructions Important?
Safety Instructions present life-saving information in a clear, accessible, and easy-to-understand format. By outlining Escape Routes, Assembly Station locations, and essential procedures, these instructions allow people to respond effectively—even under pressure, in low-visibility conditions, or when navigating unfamiliar environments.
Onboard ships and ferries, the layout can be complex and disorienting, especially during an emergency. Well-designed Safety Instruction Signs help reduce confusion, support orderly movement, and improve the overall chances of a safe evacuation. Even on land, such as in large buildings, factories, or public venues, clear safety instructions remain critical for emergency preparedness.
Safety Instructions on Ships and Vessels
Safety Instruction Signs are part of a complete and comprehensive Safety Sign System. They work together with other elements like Photoluminescent Safety Signs, Low Location Lighting (LLL), and LED Escape Ceiling Signs to provide consistent and intuitive guidance during emergencies.
This integrated system ensures that all safety communication—whether visual, positional, or instructional—supports the same goal: helping people reach safety efficiently. By aligning with relevant international standards and regulations, the entire setup becomes more reliable and effective.
At T-ISS, all our Safety Instruction Signs (by SafeSign) comply with the following key regulations and guidelines:
- SOLAS Part 1, regulation II-2/13.7.2.2 and III-part B 8.2 and 8.4
- IMO A.752(18): Mimic Signs
- IMO A.691(17): Safety Instructions to Passengers
- MSC/Circ. 699, section 3
- MSN 1409
- ISO 24409-4: Shipboard Plans for Safety Instructions
By meeting these standards, our signs become part of a compliant and fully integrated safety solution.
Instruction Signs by SafeSign
Under the SafeSign brand, we produce high-quality Safety Instruction Signs using durable, environmentally friendly materials and advanced production techniques. All our signs are made from PETX—a halogen-free and PVC-free material that is fully recyclable and specifically engineered to withstand demanding maritime and industrial environments.
Each Safety Instruction Sign is back-printed to protect the design from wear, finished with a glossy surface for easy cleaning, and equipped with a strong self-adhesive backing for fast and secure installation. Thanks to this robust construction, our signs are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and come with a 5-year warranty.
SafeSign Safety Instruction Signs are fully compliant with IMO Resolution 1116 (30), ISO 24409-2, and ISO 24409-4, ensuring they meet the highest international standards for onboard safety communication.
