Terminology
A
Analogue Addressable Firespan Detection System: A system comprising a control panel with a power supply, analogue addressable fire detectors and manual call points in which signals from individual fire detectors and manual call points are individually identified at the control equipment; and, where the information from fire sensors is processed prior to making a decision that there is a fire. Such addressable systems do not require each fire zone to be separately wired to the control equipment.
Architectural Ironmongery (Building Hardware): Fittings designed for incorporation in a Fire Door and which contribute to ensure that the Fire Door (when closed) resists the passage of fire and/or gaseous products of combustion. Such fittings include hinges, pivots, door closing devices, latches, locks, and door furniture (lever handles, knobs).
Automatic Fire and Smoke Damper: A device which allows the passage of ventilation air in normal conditions through a duct, fire wall or partition; but, closes automatically to prevent the passage of smoke and fire in a fire condition for a stipulated period of time. Response to smoke is typically achieved by linking to the automatic fire detection system.
Architectural Ironmongery (Building Hardware): Fittings designed for incorporation in a Fire Door and which contribute to ensure that the Fire Door (when closed) resists the passage of fire and/or gaseous products of combustion. Such fittings include hinges, pivots, door closing devices, latches, locks, and door furniture (lever handles, knobs).
Automatic Fire and Smoke Damper: A device which allows the passage of ventilation air in normal conditions through a duct, fire wall or partition; but, closes automatically to prevent the passage of smoke and fire in a fire condition for a stipulated period of time. Response to smoke is typically achieved by linking to the automatic fire detection system.
C
Cavity Barrier: A construction provided to close a concealed space against the penetration of smoke and flame or to restrict the movement of smoke or flame within such a space, for a stipulated time period.
Cartridge Operated Portable Fire Extinguisher: A portable fire extinguisher from which the extinguishant is expelled by the release of gas which is stored under pressure, either in a liquid or gaseous state, in a cartridge within or attached to the extinguisher.
Chemical Gas Fire Extinguishing System: A fixed system comprising the required quantity of gas, typically a hydrofluorocarbon in a liquid state, stored in pressure vessels, manifolded together, padded with nitrogen and connected to distribution pipework fitted with nozzles arranged to extinguish a fire in the space protected when the gas is released by the control facilities. The extinguishing mechanism is by interference with the chemical reaction normally associated with fire.
CO2 Fire Extinguishing System: A fixed system comprising the required quantity of CO2, stored in pressure vessels manifolded together and connected to distribution pipework fitted with nozzles arranged to extinguish a fire in the space protected when the CO2 is released by the control facilities. The extinguishing mechanism is by reducing the oxygen concentration to a level where it does not support combustion.
Compartment (fire): A building or part of a building, comprising one or more rooms, spaces or storeys, constructed to prevent the spread of fire to or from another part of the same building, or an adjoining building. The basis of compartmentation is to subdivide buildings into areas of manageable risk, to provide adequate means of escape, and to provide fire separation for adjoining buildings.
Conventional Fire Detection System: A system comprising a control panel with a power supply, fire detectors and manual call points arranged to indicate the zone of a building affected by fire and sound an alarm. Such conventional systems have each zone wired separately to the control panel, and the detectors are normally only able to signal a fire condition.
Cartridge Operated Portable Fire Extinguisher: A portable fire extinguisher from which the extinguishant is expelled by the release of gas which is stored under pressure, either in a liquid or gaseous state, in a cartridge within or attached to the extinguisher.
Chemical Gas Fire Extinguishing System: A fixed system comprising the required quantity of gas, typically a hydrofluorocarbon in a liquid state, stored in pressure vessels, manifolded together, padded with nitrogen and connected to distribution pipework fitted with nozzles arranged to extinguish a fire in the space protected when the gas is released by the control facilities. The extinguishing mechanism is by interference with the chemical reaction normally associated with fire.
CO2 Fire Extinguishing System: A fixed system comprising the required quantity of CO2, stored in pressure vessels manifolded together and connected to distribution pipework fitted with nozzles arranged to extinguish a fire in the space protected when the CO2 is released by the control facilities. The extinguishing mechanism is by reducing the oxygen concentration to a level where it does not support combustion.
Compartment (fire): A building or part of a building, comprising one or more rooms, spaces or storeys, constructed to prevent the spread of fire to or from another part of the same building, or an adjoining building. The basis of compartmentation is to subdivide buildings into areas of manageable risk, to provide adequate means of escape, and to provide fire separation for adjoining buildings.
Conventional Fire Detection System: A system comprising a control panel with a power supply, fire detectors and manual call points arranged to indicate the zone of a building affected by fire and sound an alarm. Such conventional systems have each zone wired separately to the control panel, and the detectors are normally only able to signal a fire condition.
D
Drywall: A generic term used to describe a range of metal and timber framed assemblies clad with gypsum plasterboard and other board materials for standard dry lining, partitions and ceilings which involve little or no wet operations.
F
Fast Response Sprinkler: A sprinkler head in which the thermal device to trigger the release of water has a thermal mass which is significantly lower than that of a standard sprinkler head, thus ensuring quicker operation when a fire occurs.
Fire Damper: A device which allows the passage of ventilation air in normal conditions through a duct, fire door, wall or partition; but, closes automatically to prevent the passage of fire in a fire condition for a stipulated time period.
Fire Door: A door or shutter which together with its frame and furniture as installed in a building, resists (when closed) the passage of fire and/or gaseous products of combustion. for a stipulated time period.
Fire Resistant Composite Panel: A fully bonded steel faced panel with mineral fibre or other non combustible core which is used for cladding external walls of steel building structures to form a separating element from one building to another; and, for high risk areas within buildings to form a separating element. It is designed to restrict the spread of fire from the compartment or building of origin for a stipulated period of time.
Fire Resistant Ductwork: Ventilation or extraction ductwork designed to contain fire and the products of combustion in a manner that does not allow passage to other parts of the building from the compartment of origin for a stipulated time period.
Fire Resistant Glass: Glass designed for incorporation in glazed structures or windows so as to provide resistance to the spread of fire and gaseous products of combustion. When incorporated it is rated for a stipulated time for integrity, or integrity and insulation. Integrity only is either conventional Georgian Wired or monolithic glass; and, insulating a number of sheets of float glass with either an intumescent interlayer in between or a clear insulating gel.
Fire Resistant Glazed Screen: Glazed structure or window incorporating fire resistant glass and designed to resist the spread of fire and the gaseous products of combustion for a stipulated period of time.
Fire Resistant Luminaire: Lighting structure or fitting for suspended ceilings designed to resist the spread of fire and the products of combustion for a stipulated period of time. It is required to be tested for integrity when fitted to an individual manufacturer’s suspended ceiling.
Fire Resistant Partition: An internal non load bearing vertical dividing structure designed to resist the spread of fire, heat, and the products of combustion for a stipulated period of time. Such a partition can include a glazed section or a fire door.
Fire Resistant Suspended Ceiling: A suspended ceiling designed to contribute to the overall fire resistance of a floor assembly or to prevent the collapse of steel beams supporting a floor or roof, for a stipulated period of time. It may also provide fire resistance as a membrane in the same way as a partition.
Fire-stopping: Sealing products that take up imperfections of fit or design tolerance between the fire rated fixed elements of a building to restrict the passage of fire and smoke. They continue to take up the imperfections of fit at all times and have the same fire rating as the fixed elements of which they form a part. In reaction to a fire condition they swell, spread or deform to achieve their performance.
Fire Damper: A device which allows the passage of ventilation air in normal conditions through a duct, fire door, wall or partition; but, closes automatically to prevent the passage of fire in a fire condition for a stipulated time period.
Fire Door: A door or shutter which together with its frame and furniture as installed in a building, resists (when closed) the passage of fire and/or gaseous products of combustion. for a stipulated time period.
Fire Resistant Composite Panel: A fully bonded steel faced panel with mineral fibre or other non combustible core which is used for cladding external walls of steel building structures to form a separating element from one building to another; and, for high risk areas within buildings to form a separating element. It is designed to restrict the spread of fire from the compartment or building of origin for a stipulated period of time.
Fire Resistant Ductwork: Ventilation or extraction ductwork designed to contain fire and the products of combustion in a manner that does not allow passage to other parts of the building from the compartment of origin for a stipulated time period.
Fire Resistant Glass: Glass designed for incorporation in glazed structures or windows so as to provide resistance to the spread of fire and gaseous products of combustion. When incorporated it is rated for a stipulated time for integrity, or integrity and insulation. Integrity only is either conventional Georgian Wired or monolithic glass; and, insulating a number of sheets of float glass with either an intumescent interlayer in between or a clear insulating gel.
Fire Resistant Glazed Screen: Glazed structure or window incorporating fire resistant glass and designed to resist the spread of fire and the gaseous products of combustion for a stipulated period of time.
Fire Resistant Luminaire: Lighting structure or fitting for suspended ceilings designed to resist the spread of fire and the products of combustion for a stipulated period of time. It is required to be tested for integrity when fitted to an individual manufacturer’s suspended ceiling.
Fire Resistant Partition: An internal non load bearing vertical dividing structure designed to resist the spread of fire, heat, and the products of combustion for a stipulated period of time. Such a partition can include a glazed section or a fire door.
Fire Resistant Suspended Ceiling: A suspended ceiling designed to contribute to the overall fire resistance of a floor assembly or to prevent the collapse of steel beams supporting a floor or roof, for a stipulated period of time. It may also provide fire resistance as a membrane in the same way as a partition.
Fire-stopping: Sealing products that take up imperfections of fit or design tolerance between the fire rated fixed elements of a building to restrict the passage of fire and smoke. They continue to take up the imperfections of fit at all times and have the same fire rating as the fixed elements of which they form a part. In reaction to a fire condition they swell, spread or deform to achieve their performance.
H
High Sensitivity Smoke Detector: A smoke detector with a much higher sensitivity than that specified for point smoke detectors (usually EN54-7 and 9) and normally incorporating special facilities for avoiding unwanted alarms resulting from the high sensitivity. These detectors are normally associated with the protection of special risks or are incorporated into air sampling systems where any smoke would be diluted by clean air.
I
Inert Gas Fire Extinguishing System: A fixed system comprising the required quantity of inert gas (nitrogen or argon) or mixture of gases (nitrogen + argon +CO2) stored in pressure vessels manifolded together and connected to distribution pipework fitted with nozzles arranged to extinguish a fire in the space protected when the gas is released by the control facilities. The extinguishing mechanism is by reducing the oxygen concentration to a level where it does not support combustion.
Ionisation Smoke Detector: A smoke detector incorporating a small radioactive source, usually Americium, which ionises the air within a sensing chamber causing a small current to flow. When smoke aerosol is present the current flow is reduced and the change is detected.
Ionisation Smoke Detector: A smoke detector incorporating a small radioactive source, usually Americium, which ionises the air within a sensing chamber causing a small current to flow. When smoke aerosol is present the current flow is reduced and the change is detected.
L
Linear Heat Detector: A heat detector normally in the form of an electrically conducting cable or a fibre optic cable, that responds to an increase or a change of temperature in the vicinity of the cable.
M
Manual Call Point: A device for the manual initiation of an electrical fire alarm operated by the breaking or apparent breaking of an element forming part of the front face of the device.
O
Optical Smoke Detector: A smoke detector normally incorporating an infra red light source and a receiver which is arranged to either detect the light scattered by smoke aerosol or the reduction in light caused by absorption of the smoke aerosol.
P
Penetration Seal: Products that maintain the integrity and insulation of fire rated separating elements where services pass through the element. They are designed to allow for any movement and to close any opening that may be expected to occur in a fire situation.
S
Smoke Alarm: A self contained unit combining an automatic smoke detector and audible alarm which sounds when smoke is detected. For new dwellings power is required to be supplied from the mains; whereas, for retrofit the built in battery supply suffices.
Structural Fire Protection: Products used to insulate the structural frame of a building or other construction to allow it to retain its required load bearing strength or limit the core temperature for a stipulated period of time. The time periods may be stipulated in Building Regulations, IMO Regulations, Safety Case studies or Safety designs according to the type of structure involved.
Structural Fire Protection: Products used to insulate the structural frame of a building or other construction to allow it to retain its required load bearing strength or limit the core temperature for a stipulated period of time. The time periods may be stipulated in Building Regulations, IMO Regulations, Safety Case studies or Safety designs according to the type of structure involved.
W
Water Mist Fire Extinguishing System (Self Contained Type): A fixed system typically comprising the required quantity of deionised water stored in pressure vessels manifolded together, energised by nitrogen, and connected to distribution pipework fitted with water mist nozzles arranged to suppress/extinguish a fire in the space protected.
Water Sprinkler System: A fixed system comprising a reliable water supply connected through one or more automatic section alarm valves, each connected to distribution pipework having range pipes fitted with sprinkler heads arranged to suppress or extinguish a fire automatically in the section protected.
Water Spray System: A fixed system comprising a reliable water supply connected through an automatic or manually actuated valve to distribution pipework having range pipes fitted with medium or high velocity open spray nozzles arranged depending on the design either to protect surfaces from radiant heat by cooling, or to extinguish or suppress a fire automatically.
Water Sprinkler System: A fixed system comprising a reliable water supply connected through one or more automatic section alarm valves, each connected to distribution pipework having range pipes fitted with sprinkler heads arranged to suppress or extinguish a fire automatically in the section protected.
Water Spray System: A fixed system comprising a reliable water supply connected through an automatic or manually actuated valve to distribution pipework having range pipes fitted with medium or high velocity open spray nozzles arranged depending on the design either to protect surfaces from radiant heat by cooling, or to extinguish or suppress a fire automatically.