U.S. Code of Federal Regulations
Regulations most recently checked for updates: Aug 27, 2025
§ 196.37-3 - General.
(a) It is the intent of this subpart to provide such markings as are necessary for the guidance of the persons on board in case of an emergency. In any specific case, and particularly on small vessels, where it can be shown to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, that the prescribed markings are unnecessary for the guidance of the persons on board in case of emergency, such markings may be modified or omitted.
(b) In addition to English, notices, directional signs, etc., shall be printed in languages appropriate to the service of the vessel.
(c) Where in this subpart red letters are specified, letters of a contrasting color on a red background will be accepted.
§ 196.37-5 - General alarm bell contact makers.
(a) Each general alarm contact maker must be marked in accordance with requirements in Subchapter J (Electrical Engineering Regulations) of this chapter.
See also § 113.25-20 of Subchapter J (Electrical Engineering) of this chapter.
§ 196.37-7 - General alarm bells.
(a) All general alarm bells shall be identified by red lettering at least
§ 196.37-8 - Carbon dioxide warning signs.
Each entrance to a space storing carbon dioxide cylinders, a space protected by carbon dioxide systems, or any space into which carbon dioxide might migrate must be conspicuously marked as follows:
(a) Spaces storing carbon dioxide—“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.”.
(b) Spaces protected by carbon dioxide—“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.” The reference to wintergreen scent may be omitted for carbon dioxide systems not required to have odorizing units and not equipped with such units.
(c) Spaces into which carbon dioxide might migrate—“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.” The reference to wintergreen scent may be omitted for carbon dioxide systems not required to have odorizing units and not equipped with such units.
§ 196.37-9 - Carbon dioxide and clean agent alarms.
Each extinguishing system using carbon dioxide or clean agent complying with 46 CFR subpart 95.16 must be conspicuously marked in an adjacent location: “WHEN ALARM SOUNDS VACATE AT ONCE. CARBON DIOXIDE OR CLEAN AGENT BEING RELEASED.”.
§ 196.37-10 - Fire extinguishing system branch lines.
(a) The branch line valves of all fire extinguishing systems shall be plainly and permanently marked indicating the spaces served.
§ 196.37-13 - Fire extinguishing system controls.
The control cabinets or spaces containing valves, manifolds, or controls for the various fire extinguishing systems must be marked in conspicuous red letters at least 2 inches high: “[CARBON DIOXIDE/CLEAN AGENT/FOAM—as appropriate] FIRE APPARATUS.”.
§ 196.37-15 - Firehose stations.
(a) Each fire hydrant shall be identified in red letters and figures at least 2 inches high “FIRE STATION NO. 1”, “2”, “3”, etc. Where the hose is not stowed in the open or behind glass so as to be readily seen, this identification shall be so placed as to be readily seen from a distance.
§ 196.37-20 - Self-contained breathing apparatus and gas masks.
(a) Lockers or spaces containing self-contained breathing apparatus shall be marked “SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS”.
§ 196.37-23 - Hand portable fire extinguishers.
(a) Each hand portable fire extinguisher shall be marked with a number and the location where stowed shall be marked with a corresponding number at least
§ 196.37-25 - Emergency lights.
(a) All emergency lights shall be marked with a letter “E” at least
§ 196.37-33 - Instructions for changing steering gear.
(a) Instructions in at least
§ 196.37-35 - Rudder orders.
(a) At all steering stations, there shall be installed a suitable notice on the wheel or device or in such other position as to be directly in the helmsman's line of vision, to indicate the direction in which the wheel or device must be turned for “right rudder” and for “left rudder”.
§ 196.37-37 - Markings for lifesaving appliances, instructions to passengers, and stowage locations.
Lifesaving appliances, instructions to passengers, and stowage locations must be marked in accordance with subchapter W (Lifesaving Appliances and Arrangements) of this chapter.