Ministry of Defence

Defence Standard 05-18

Issue 5 Publication Date 16 July 2007

Symbol Markings of Servicing and

Safety/Hazard Points on Aircraft,
Ground Support Equipment and Guided
Weapons Systems
DEF STAN 05-18 Issue 5

Contents

Introduction......................................................................................................................................................iv
1 Scope ..................................................................................................................................................1
2 Warning ..............................................................................................................................................1
3 Normative References.......................................................................................................................1
4 Tables .................................................................................................................................................2
5 Units of Pressure...............................................................................................................................2
6 NATO Codes ......................................................................................................................................2
7 Symbols and Inscriptions.................................................................................................................2
8 Colours ...............................................................................................................................................2
9 Location..............................................................................................................................................3
10 Other Information ..............................................................................................................................3

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Foreword
AMENDMENT RECORD

Amd No Date Text Affected Signature and Date

REVISION NOTE

This standard is raised to Issue 5 to update its content and format. The following are additions to the list of
warning symbols;

- non-ionising radiation;
- laser;
- ionising radiation;
- canopy explosive release;
- helicopter tail boom;
- propeller;
- emergency symbols.

HISTORICAL RECORD

This standard supersedes the following:

Defence Standard 05-18 Issue 1 superseded SDM(A) IS 344 Issue No 3 dated 3 November 1966.
Defence Standard 05-18 Issue 2 dated 20 May 1980.
Defence Standard 05-18 Issue 3 dated 12th November 1982.
Defence Standard 05-18 Issue 4 dated 11th December 1985.

a) This standard provides requirements for symbol markings of servicing and safety/ hazard points on
aircraft, ground support equipment, and guided weapons systems.

b) This standard has been produced on behalf of the Defence Material Standardization Committee (DMSC)
by the Coating and Coating Removal Defence Standard Working Group.

c) This standard has been agreed by the authorities concerned with its use and is intended to be used
whenever relevant in all future designs, contracts, orders etc. and whenever practicable by amendment
to those already in existence. If any difficulty arises which prevents application of the Defence Standard,
UK Defence Standardization (DStan) shall be informed so that a remedy may be sought.

d) Any enquiries regarding this standard in relation to an invitation to tender or a contract in which it is
incorporated are to be addressed to the responsible technical or supervising authority named in the
invitation to tender or contract.

e) Compliance with this Defence Standard shall not in itself relieve any person from any legal obligations
imposed upon them.

f) This standard has been devised solely for the use of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and its contractors
in the execution of contracts for the MOD. To the extent permitted by law, the MOD hereby excludes all
liability whatsoever and howsoever arising (including, but without limitation, liability resulting from
negligence) for any loss or damage however caused when the standard is used for any other purpose.

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Introduction
This standard specifies the symbol markings of servicing and safety/hazard points on aircraft, ground
support equipment, and guided weapons systems for Ministry of Defence use. The standard also implements
the following International agreements;

a) ASCC Air Standard 11/1H dated 30 July 1992.

b) NATO STANAG 3109 Edition No 5 dated 10th June 1986.

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Symbol Markings of Servicing and Safety/Hazard Points on

Aircraft - Ground Support Equipment and Guided Weapons
Systems

1 Scope

1.1 This Standard specifies the size, colour, form and location of servicing, ground handling,
safety/hazard, maintenance, and arming symbols for use on all Service aircraft, ground support equipment,
and guided weapons systems.

1.2 The symbol marking of guided weapons systems is governed by Def Stan 08-5 Chapter 6.101 which
shall be read in conjunction with this Defence Standard when such equipment is to be marked.

1.3 Due to the variations in the size and distribution of servicing points the requirements of this Defence
Standard should be interpreted liberally.

2 Warning
The Ministry of Defence (MOD), like its contractors, is subject to both United Kingdom and European laws
regarding Health and Safety at Work. All Defence Standards either directly or indirectly invoke the use of
processes and procedures that could be injurious to health if adequate precautions are not taken. Defence
Standards or their use in no way absolves users from complying with statutory and legal requirements
relating to Health and Safety at Work.

3 Normative References

3.1 The publications shown below are referred to in the text of this standard. Publications are grouped and
listed in alpha numeric order.

BS 381C Specification for Colours for Identification, Coding and Special Purposes

BS 5378 Safety Signs and Colours Part 1. Specification for Colour and Design

Def Stan 08-5 Design Requirements for Weapon Systems (Guided Weapons, Torpedoes
and Airborne Armament Stores)

ASCC Air Standard11/1H Aircraft Servicing/Hazard Markings

STANAG 3109 Symbol Marking of Aircraft Servicing and Safety/Hazard Points

3.2 Reference in this standard to any normative reference means in any invitation to tender or contract the
edition and all amendments current at the date of such tender or contract unless a specific edition is
indicated.

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4 Tables
The specified symbol markings are set out in Tables 1-6 as follows:

Table 1: Servicing and maintenance symbols, nominal colour black or white, dependent on background.

Table 2: Servicing and maintenance symbols, nominal colour yellow.

Table 3: Ground handling symbols.

Table 4: Rotation Hazards.

Table 5: Safety/hazard symbols and marking (other than personnel release).

Table 6: Additional guided weapon servicing symbols.

Table 7: Armament and ammunition symbols.

Table 8: Emergency Equipment.

5 Units of Pressure
Units of pressure shall be specified in both Anglo-American and metric units ie. psi and bar.

6 NATO Codes
The NATO code number shall he enclosed in a rectangle the same colour as the symbol.

7 Symbols and Inscriptions

7.1 The size of symbols and inscriptions shall be commensurate with the distance from which they must
be visible.

7.2 The symbols shall be a maximum of 100 mm in the longest direction; the inscription shall be in capital
Roman letters and Arabic numbers and be a maximum of 40 mm high.

8 Colours

8.1 Ground handling and safety/hazard points shall be yellow and red respectively, except when
otherwise specified.

8.2 Other markings shall be black or white according to background. However, for applications such as
camouflaged aircraft, other colours may be used to give adequate contrast but without prejudice to the
effectiveness of the camouflaged paint scheme. Where colours are specified they shall be comparable with
the following British Standard and code:

Yellow - BS 381C, Code No 356.

Red - BS 381C, Code No 538 (Code No 537 may be used as a second choice alternative).

Green - BS 381C, Code No 221.

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8.3 Aircraft and equipment (including guided weapon systems equipment), which by virtue of their
operational role may be subjected to atomic flash, may be required by the contract to have their markings
painted in suitable pale colours having a reflectivity of at least 50 per cent.

9 Location
The symbols shall be marked on the part concerned or as close as it is possible and, where applicable, on
the access panel. Where they are concealed they should be accompanied by, or replaced by, arrows bearing
the same symbol which will assist in locating the points. Where there is no possibility of the identity of the
points being mistaken, the markings of such points may be omitted at the discretion of the relevant Ministry
of Defence (MOD) Authority.

10 Other Information
Other inscribed information may be approved by the Director Joint Capability (AIR) but it shall not cause
confusion or be used as an alternative to the symbol markings detailed in this Standard. If markings are
necessary to identify other points not listed the subject shall be referred through the relevant MOD Authority.

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Table 1 Servicing Symbols and Maintenance Symbols

Nominal colour: BLACK on Light Background WHITE on Dark Background

Symbol Function Description Symbol

number
1 Fuel

(a) Gasoline A filled 300 mm (12 in) or 178 min (7 in)

diameter RED circle

(commensurate with the size of aircraft)

surrounding the filler cap with the Joint Services
Designation for the type of fuel

(ie AVGAS 100LL) stencilled inside eg the circle

in WHITE and with a filled four-pointed star and
the NATO grade of fuel, preferably located
underneath.

(b) Turbine fuel A filled 300 mm (12 in) or 178 mm (7 in) BLACK
square (commensurate with the size of aircraft)
surrounding the filler cap with the Joint Services
eg Designation for the type of fuel (ie
AVCAT, AVCAT FSII, AVTAG FSII, AVTUR or
AVTUR FSII), stencilled inside the square and
with a filled four-pointed star and the NATO code
for the grade of fuel preferably located
underneath.

2 Engine A filled square with NATO code for type of

Lubricating Oil lubricant preferably located underneath.

3 Hydraulic A filled circle disc with NATO code for type of

Fluid fluid preferably located underneath.

4 De- icing fluid A filled triangle with NATO code for grade
preferably located underneath.

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Symbol Function Description Symbol

number
5 Coolant Two filled horizontal undulations with the NATO
code for coolant and composition if necessary,
preferably located underneath.

6 Pneumatic A filled 'X' with maximum charging pressure,

system preferably located underneath.

7 Pneumatic A filled 'X' circumscribed by a filled ring with

starter notation of maximum starting pressure,
connection preferably located underneath.

8 Oxygen Two horizontal filled rectangles with notation of

(breathing) filling pressure. For liquid oxygen systems the
word LIQUID will he used instead of GAS with
the capacity of the system shown in litres.

9 Aero-engine A filled inverted chevron with included angle not

refrigerant exceeding 90° with NATO code and composition,
(thrust preferably located underneath.
augmentation
fluid)

10 Air- Filled four-dot pattern.

conditioning

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Symbol Function Description Symbol

number
11 Inerting fluid Filled square with a quarter arc removed from
each corner with name of fluid or fluids indicated
with % of each fluid and maximum charging
pressure, preferably located underneath.

12 Fire A filled diamond and name of extinguishant.

extinguishing
system

13 External A filled 'E' with lower limb shortened stating

electrical service and voltage details, preferably located
connections underneath.

14 Grounding or A filled inverted 'T' with two parallel bars

earthing underneath which diminish in size.
receptacle

15 Refrigerant Two filled triangles with apexes joined on

replenishme horizontal centre line with notation of type of
nt refrigerant, preferably located underneath.

16 Flight data A filled letter 'R' circumscribed by a filled ring.

recorder BLACK symbols on WHITE.

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Table 2 Servicing and Maintenance Symbols

Nominal Colour: YELLOW

Symbol Function Description Symbol

number
1 Inspection of Flash of lightning.
batteries

2 Inspection of Circle containing a black filled triangle

de-icing
circuit NOTE: Other filled points shall be similarly
marked but with the appropriate service symbol.

3 Inspection Sine wave about a horizontal bar.

electronic
installation

4 Inspection Symbol as drawn containing a BLACK filled four-

fuel filter pointed star for fuel

NOTE: Other filled points shall be similarly

marked but with the appropriate service symbol.

5 Fuel tank Symbol as drawn containing a BLACK filled four-

water drain pointed star for fuel

NOTE: Other filled points shall be similarly

marked but with the appropriate service symbol.

6 Hydraulic Symbol as drawn containing a single BLACK

system test filled dot for hydraulics.
point

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Symbol Function Description Symbol

number
7 Cabin Symbol as drawn containing four black filled
pressure test dots for air conditioning.
point

8 Inerting fluid Symbol as drawn containing a BLACK filled

(tank) test symbol for inerting fluid
point
NOTE: Other filled points shall be similarly
marked but with the appropriate service symbol.

9 Ignition plug Symbol as drawn.

jet engine
start

10 Inspection Symbol as drawn.

static
connections
(vents)

11 Drinking Circle, containing notation H2O.

water
replenishment

12 Toilet Circle containing a BLACK filled letter 'T'.

servicing

13 Telephone Symbol as drawn of handset.

connection
ground to
cockpit

14 Dingy (life
raft)

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Table 3 Ground Handling Symbols

Nominal Colour: YELLOW

Symbol Function Description Symbol

number
1 Jacking point A filled square with two slanting legs on bottom
edge.

2 Slinging or A filled hook on a horizontal line.

hoisting points

3 Mooring or A filled anchor.

picketing

4 Lifting area Horizontal bar with downward pointing arrows

(external at each end of the bar.
stores)

5 Towing point Ring filled as shown leaving centre clear.

6 Tail support A filled circle encircling support point.

7 Locking of Circle containing a RED filled four point fuel

drop tank star.

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Symbol Function Description Symbol

number
8 Walkway Surrounded by a YELLOW border with RED
fringe on the outside.

9 No Step A filled footprint with a RED diagonal cross

superimposed.

11 No grip A filled hand with a RED diagonal cross

superimposed.

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Table 4 Rotation Hazards

Symbol Function Description Symbol

number
1 Propeller Red stripe, 76mm (3”) 152mm (6")
warning wide extending completely around
the fuselage. The word
PROPELLER” reading vertically from
top to bottom, on both sides, shall be
superimposed on this stripe in white
letters, 50mm (2") in height, at
sufficiently frequent intervals to
indicate the danger area. The signs
“DANGER “

and “ DANGER”

shall be applied perpendicular to and

centered with respect to the word
“PROPELLER”, one sign on each
side thereof, with the arrow pointing
toward the stripe. The letters and
arrows shall be superimposed on a
stripe of white, 76mm (3") in width.
The height of the letters shall be
50mm (2").

(See Figure 1)

2 Helicopter High conspicuity warning signs are Reduced and high conspicuity signs
tail boom to be lettered in gloss white on a
warnings gloss cherry red background with a
gloss white border.

Reduced conspicuity warning signs

when applied to counter shaded
camouflage schemes are applied
with a matt cherry red or matt pale
roundel red border, lettering and
arrow.

The dimensions of lettering are

detailed opposite.

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Table 5 Safety/Hazard Symbols and Marking (other than personnel release)

Nominal Colour: Red (symbols 1-10)
Nominal Colour: Yellow (symbol 11)
Symbol Function Description Symbol
number
1 Explosive A RED equilateral triangle, apex pointing
actuated device down, of the largest practicable size up to a
230 mm (9 in) side; to be applied to the
external part of the aerospace vehicle
adjacent to the explosive device. The word
'DANGER' to be applied to each side with
its top to the surrounding peripheral line.

It is permissible for the word 'DANGER' to

be applied in any 3 different languages,
providing that English is one of them. The
words 'EJECTION SEAT,' 'CANOPY' etc or
an appropriate symbol may be added in
WHITE on the central RED triangle.

2 Airborne auxiliary External part of the aircraft adjacent to the

power plant inlet inlet/exhaust.
or exhaust

3 Canopy Symbol as shown in RED on external part

explosive release of the aircraft adjacent to the explosive
release.

4 Locking of a. Uprights and cross-bars (ground Painted RED and WHITE

controls and equipment). and fitted with a RED
undercarriage streamer (warning
pennant) incorporating
reflective stripes

b. Position of uprights and crossbars Painted RED

(aircraft).

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Symbol Function Description Symbol

number
5 Pitot tube covering
Cover. Painted RED and fitted
with a RED streamer
(warning pennant)
incorporating reflective
stripes

6 Camera gun Cover. Painted RED and fitted

covering with a RED streamer
(warning pennant)
incorporating reflective
stripes

7 Jet engine Tampions. Painted RED and fitted

intake/exhaust with a RED streamer
covers (warning pennant)
incorporating reflective
stripes

8 Rocket control Electric Plug. RED streamer (warning

pennant) incorporating
reflective stripes

9 Anti-firing control Shunt. RED streamer (warning

pennant) incorporating
reflective stripes with
BLACK skull and cross-
bones

10 Prohibition of Weaker parts of aircraft. Border band and cross of

access St Andrew in RED

11 Warning of Item covers or lids.

electrical discharge
(conforms to BS
5378 Pt 1)

12 Radiation Vicinity of cockpit.

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13 Non Ionising Vicinity of radio equipment

Radiation

14 Laser Vicinity of cockpit

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Table 6 Additional Guided Weapon Servicing Symbols

Symbol Function Description Symbol

number
1 Fuel A BLACK or WHITE (dependent on
background) four-pointed star with NATO
code for grade of fuel preferably
underneath.

2 Rocket Fuel A BLACK or WHITE (dependent on

background) four-pointed star inside
crescent with NATO code (if applicable) or
name of oxidant preferably underneath.

3 Rocket oxidisers A BLACK or WHITE (dependent on

oxidisers background) crescent with
NATO code (if applicable) or name of
oxidant preferably underneath.

4 Fuel tank drain

(a) Missile A BLACK or WHITE four-pointed star

inside BLACK or WHITE outline of typical
valve or cock.

(b)Ground Servicing See Symbol No 5, Table 2

Equipment

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Table 7 Armament and Ammunition Symbols

Symbol Function Description Symbol

number
1 Gun Symbol as drawn.

2 Gun feeding Symbol as drawn of cartridge case.

3 Cartridge container Symbol as drawn of cartridge.

4 Link container Symbol as drawn of link.

5 Firing control Symbol as drawn of shunt.

6 Rocket control Symbol as drawn of selection plug.

7 Bomb hoist Symbol as drawn of bomb hoist.

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Table 8 Emergency Equipment

Symbol Function Description Symbol

number
1 Asbestos Gloves On aircraft carrying emergency
equipment which is easily accessible ASBESTOS GLOVES
from outside, the position of each item STOWED HERE
may be shown externally in letters 25 mm
high for large aircraft; eg ASBESTOS
GLOVES STOWED HERE or half size 13
mm high for small aircraft. In addition the
position of the equipment may be shown
by a full size silhouette of the item on the
outside of the fuselage corresponding to
the location inside for large aircraft and a
half size silhouette for small aircraft. The
colour for marking on RN aircraft is to be
YELLOW, on Army and RAF aircraft the
colour is RED.

2 Axe Stencil measurements are to be halved

for small aircraft markings and when AXE STOWED HERE
halved measurement is an odd number,
rounded up or down, as required eg 25
mm full size, 13 mm half size.

3 Fire Extinguisher On aircraft with pale camouflage

schemes PALE ROUNDEL RED should
be used.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER
STOWED HERE

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Inside Rear Cover

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 ©Crown Copyright 2007

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