(a) The provisions of this subpart, with the exception of § 97.37-90, shall apply to all vessels contracted for on or after November 19, 1952. Vessels contracted for prior to November 19, 1952, shall meet the requirements of § 97.37-90.

(a) It is the intent of this subpart to provide such markings as are necessary for the guidance of the person 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, all stateroom notices, directional signs, etc., shall be printed in languages appropriate to the service of the vessel or other action be taken to achieve the same purpose.

(c) Where in this subpart red letters are specified, letters of a contrasting color on a red background will be accepted.

Each general alarm contact maker must be marked in accordance with requirements in subchapter J (Electrical Engineering Regulations) of this chapter.

(a) All general alarm bells shall be identified by red lettering at least 1/2 inch high:

(b) [Reserved]

Each carbon dioxide or clean agent fire extinguishing alarm must be conspicuously marked: “WHEN ALARM SOUNDS VACATE AT ONCE. CARBON DIOXIDE OR CLEAN AGENT BEING RELEASED.”.

(a) The branch line valves of all fire extinguishing systems shall be plainly and permanently marked indicating the spaces served.

(b) [Reserved]

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.

The control cabinets or spaces containing valves or manifolds for the various fire extinguishing systems must be distinctly marked in conspicuous red letters at least 2 inches high: “[STEAM/CARBON DIOXIDE/CLEAN AGENT/FOAM/WATER SPRAY—as appropriate] FIRE APPARATUS.”.

(a) Each fire hydrant shall be identified in red letters and figures at least two 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.

(b) [Reserved]

(a) Lockers or spaces containing self-contained breathing apparatus shall be marked “SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS.”

(b) [Reserved]

(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 1/2 inch high. Where only one type and size of hand portable fire extinguisher is carried, the numbering may be omitted.

(b) [Reserved]

(a) All emergency lights shall be marked with a letter “E” at least 1/2 inch high.

(b) [Reserved]

(a) Instructions in at least 1/2 inch letters and figures shall be posted in the steering engine room, relating in order, the different steps to be taken in changing to the emergency steering gear. Each clutch, gear, wheel, lever, valve, or switch which is used during the changeover shall be numbered or lettered on a metal plate or painted so that the markings can be recognized at a reasonable distance. The instructions shall indicate each clutch or pin to be “in” or “out” and each valve or switch which is to be “opened” or “closed” in shifting to any means of steering for which the vessel is equipped. Instructions shall be included to line up all steering wheels and rudder amidship before changing gears.

(b) [Reserved]

(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.”

(b) [Reserved]

Lifesaving appliances, instructions to passengers, and stowage locations must be marked in accordance with subchapter W (Lifesaving Appliances and Arrangements) of this chapter.

(a) Portable magazine chests shall be marked in letters at least 3 inches high:

(b) [Reserved]

(a) The alarm required by § 92.15-10(d)(4) of this subchapter, which indicates the loss of required ventilation in spaces specially suitable for vehicles, shall be marked with a conspicuous sign in at least 1/4-inch letters “VENTILATION FAILURE IN VEHICULAR SPACE.”

(b) [Reserved]

Quick-acting Class I watertight doors fitted in accordance with the requirements in § 170.255(d) of this chapter must be marked “KEEP THIS DOOR CLOSED”.

(a) Vessels contracted for prior to November 19, 1952, shall meet the requirements of this paragraph.

(1) The requirements of §§ 97.37-5 through 97.37-50 shall be met with the exception that existing signs and markings containing the same general intent, but not necessarily identical wording or exact letter type, size, or color, may be retained so long as they are in good condition to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.

(2) [Reserved]

(b) [Reserved]