What are the signage requirements for a CO2 fixed fire-extinguishing system?
Fixed fire-extinguishing carriage requirements are discussed in 46 CFR 142.315, but one must step through a few other citations to identify the signage requirements for a CO2 fixed fire-extinguishing system.
The term “Fixed fire-extinguishing system” is defined in §136.110 which includes a carbon dioxide system meeting requirements of 46 CFR subpart 76.15 and 46 CFR 78.47-9 and 78.47-11. These citations are where you find the signage requirements.
Complete, but simple operating instructions to be posted at or near all pull boxes, stop valves, and cylinder storage room.
System Schematic Diagram [§76.15-10(h)]
If cylinder storage is not within the space to be protected, the controls instructions must include a schematic diagram of the system and instructions detailing alternate methods of discharging the system should the manual release or stop valve controls fail to operate.
Control Valve to Branch Lines [§76.15-10(h)]
Each must be marked to indicate the related space served.
Carbon Dioxide Alarms [§78.47-9]
Each alarm must be conspicuously marked: “WHEN ALARM SOUNDS VACATE AT ONCE. CARBON DIOXIDE OR CLEAN AGENT BEING RELEASED.”.
Spaces Storing CO2 Cylinders [§78.47-11(a)]
Each entrance to space must have a sign indicating: “CARBON DIOXIDE GAS CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. VENTILATE THE AREA BEFORE ENTERING. A HIGH CONCENTRATION CAN OCCUR IN THIS AREA AND CAN CAUSE SUFFOCATION.”.
Spaces Protected by CO2 [§78.47-11(b)]
Each entrance to space must have a sign indicating: “CARBON DIOXIDE GAS CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. WHEN ALARM OPERATES OR WINTERGREEN SCENT IS DETECTED, DO NOT ENTER UNTIL VENTILATED. LOCK OUT SYSTEM WHEN SERVICING.”. *
Spaces Into Which CO2 Might Migrate [§78.47-11(c)]
Each entrance to space must have a sign indicating: “CARBON DIOXIDE GAS CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. DISCHARGE INTO NEARBY SPACE CAN COLLECT HERE. WHEN ALARM OPERATES OR WINTERGREEN SCENT IS DETECTED VACATE IMMEDIATELY.”. *
* Wintergreen Scent Note [§76.15-60]
Each carbon dioxide extinguishing system installed or altered after July 2013, must have an approved odorizing unit to produce the scent of wintergreen, the detection of which will serve as an indication that carbon dioxide gas is present in a protected area and any other area into which the carbon dioxide may migrate. “Altered” means modified or refurbished beyond the maintenance required by the manufacturer’s design, installation, operation and maintenance manual. If the system does not include wintergreen odorizing unit, the reference to wintergreen scent may be omitted from signage.