Address
A binary/hexadecimal/decimal number that uniquely
identifies a specifies device, module or power supply.
Addressable module
An addressable device which act as a transponder for
one or more smoke detector, manual station or other conventional alarm devices
so that an area may be identified by activation of one device connected to the
addressable zone module.
Addressable Device
A fire
alarm system component with discreet identification that can have its status individually
identified, or that is used to individually control other functions.
Alarm Verification
A
feature of some automatic fire detection and alarm systems to reduce unwanted
alarms. Detectors must report alarm conditions for a minimum period of time, or
confirm alarm conditions within a given time period after being reset, to be
accepted as a valid alarm initiating signal.
Analog Signal An electrical signal that varies continuously in amplitude
or frequency with the information being transmitted.
Automatic Fire Detectors
A device designed to detect the presence of fire or the products of
combustion. Including but not limited to heat detectors, flame detectors, smoke
detectors.
Analog Initiating Device
An initiating device that transmits a signal
indicating varying degrees of condition, such as smoke obscuration levels. As
contrasted with a conventional initiating device which can only indicate an
“on/off” condition
Annunciator
A unit
containing two or more indicator lamps, alphanumeric displays, or other
equivalent means in which each indication provides status information about a
circuit, condition, or location. A visual and/ or audible device that indicate an
alarm or another condition. Annunciator typically located at building entrance
or at emergency control location to provide a clear indication of zone or
device using standard LEDs and often include a customized graphic
representation of building layout for speed response. Annunciator may incorporator
features such as system common controls, auxiliary fan and damper control and
paging control.
Alarm Signal
A signal
indicating an emergency requires immediate action, such as a signal indicative
of a fire or gas leak.
Acknowledge
A deliberate action of the panel operator to confirm that
a message or event indicator has been seen.
This function, also abbreviated to
"ACK", is used to acknowledge an abnormal situation such as an alarm,
trouble or supervisory. The acknowledge function tells the panel that building
personnel or emergency responders are aware of the alarm, trouble, or
supervisory condition. Acknowledging the alarm or trouble condition also
normally silences the panel's own sounder, but does not silence any
Notification Appliances.
Air Sampling Type Detector
A
detector that consists of a piping or tubing distribution network from the
detector to the areas being protected. A fan in the detector housing draws air
from the protected area back to the detector. The air is analyzed for
Products
of combustion
All Clear
An audible signal used to communicate a “safe to return”
condition to people already evacuated from a building
Automatic Extinguishing System Operation Detector A
device that detects the operation of an extinguishing system by means
appropriate
to the system employed. Including but not limited to water flow devices.
Automatic Extinguishing System Supervision
Devices
that respond to abnormal conditions that could affect the proper
operation
of an automatic sprinkler system or other fire extinguishing system. Including
but not limited to control valves, pressure
levels,
room temperature, etc.
Automatic Fire Detectors
A device
designed to detect the presence of fire or the products of combustion.
Including but not limited to heat detectors, flame detectors, smoke detectors.
Auxiliary Fire Alarm System
A system
connected to a municipal fire alarm system for transmitting an alarm of fire to
the public fire service communication center. Fire alarms from an auxiliary
system are received at the public fire service communication center
on the
same equipment and by the same methods as alarms transmitted manually from
municipal fire alarm boxes located on streets.
Baud Rate
The measure of the speed of transmission of a digital
signal
Block Diagram
A drawing showing the major control and annunciation
components of a life safety system, their location, and the connecting wire wet
been them
Building Management System ( Bms)
An integrated computer system for monitoring and
controlling various aspects of buildings operation including heating lighting
Air conditioning etc.
Bus
A wire channel or path for transferring data or
electrical signals e.g. data bus Audio signal bus, signal bus
Channel
A data communication line or audio pre-amp output that is
dedicated to a specific function, such as paging or evacuation signaling
CLASS-A Wiring
In class A wiring, 2 wires start from fire alarm control panel terminal,
makes connection with all field devices and
the same 2 wires run back into the fire alarm control panel from end device connected
in the circuit. Total 4 wires connected in the fire alarm panel terminals. In this type of wiring a wire that
broke or came loose would cause a TROUBLE condition but all devices would
continue to be available to detect an alarm.
Class B wiring
In class
B wiring, 2 wires start from fire alarm
control panel terminal, makes connection with all detectors and then terminate
at end of line resistor for monitor the loop. ". If a wire broke or came
loose a trouble signal would occur, but all devices after the break point would
not function.
Central Station Fire Alarm System
A system
or group of systems in which the operations of circuits and devices are
transmitted
automatically to, recorded in, maintained by, and supervised from a listed
central station.
Cross
zone
An alarm detection and processing method in
which a logical AND operation is programmed
wet been two initiating device zones, so that operation of one of the
zones will cause an alert signal, For example , an operation of the second zone
will cause an evacuation signal and/or
specific auxiliary device activation.
Combination Detector
A device that either responds to more than one
fire phenomenon or employees more than one operating principle to sense one of
these phenomenons. Typical examples are combination smoke/heat detectors or a
combination rate of rise and fixed temperature heat detector
Display
The
visual representation of output data other than printed copy.
Detector Coverage
A recommended maximum distance between
adjacent detectors or that area that a detector is designated to protect.
Digital Signal
A signal that represents just two
voltage levels is a digital signal. A digital signal has only two states. The
signal is not continuously variable. The two states can be expressed in various
ways. High/Low, ON/OFF, 0/1.
Digital Alarm Communicator Receiver [DACR]
A system
component that will accept and display signals from digital alarm
communicator
transmitters [DACT] sent over public switched telephone network.
Digital Alarm Communicator System [DACS]
A system
in which signals are transmitted from a digital alarm communicator transmitter
[DACT] located at the protected premises through the public switched telephone
network to a DACR.
Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter [DACT]
A system component at the protected premises
to which initiating devices are connected. The DACT will seize the connected
telephone line, dial a pre-selected telephone number to connect to a DACR,
and
transmit signals indicating a status change of the initiating device.
DIP Switch
A two positioning electrical switch used to
program hardware to specific software address or functions.
Disable
A command which prevent an input device
/circuit zone from reporting its change of state or an output
device/circuits/zone from changing state.
Evacuation
The withdrawal of occupants from a building.
End of Line Device (EOL)
A device
such as a resistor or diode placed at the end of a class B circuit to maintain
supervision
Exit
Plan
Plan for the emergency evacuation of the
premises.
End of line
resistor
A
resistor installed at the end of device wiring loop to establish a supervision
current back to the panel or control unit.
End of Line Relay
A device
used to supervise power [usually for 4-wire smoke detectors] and installed
within or near the last device on an initiating circuit.
Fire Alarm Control Unit [Panel]
A system
component that receives inputs from automatic and manual fire alarm devices and
may supply power to detection devices and transponders or off-premises
transmitters. The control unit may also provide transfer of power to the
notification appliances and transfer condition of relays or devices connected
to the control unit. The fire alarm control unit can be a local unit or a
master control unit
Fiber Optics
A glass
fiber medium that utilize light transmission to achieve extremely fast, secure
and noise immune communications over long distance. Other advantages no cross
talk, wide bandwidth, lightening and power surge immunity, and it suitable for
explosive environment applications.
Fire detector
A device
which detect a fire signature and automatically initiate an electrical signal
to actuate an alert or alarm signal
Fire Rating
The
classifications indicating in time [hours] the ability of a structure or
component to withstand fire conditions.
Fire Safety Functions
Building and fire control functions that are
intended to increase the level of life safety for occupants or to
control
the spread of harmful effects of fire.
Flame Detector
A device that detects the infrared,
ultraviolet, or visible radiation caused by fire.
Four Wire Smoke Detector
A smoke
detector that has two distinct circuits used in its operation. The first
circuit provides re settable power for the detector and the second circuit
monitors the contact on the device. These types of devices are not listed for
compatibility
Full Duplex
A
communication circuit that allows simultaneous transmission data in two directions
Ground Fault
A
circuit resistance to ground resulting from an abnormal condition that causes a
control panel trouble condition.
Heat Detector
A device
that detects abnormally high temperature or rate of temperature rise.
Heat Detector non Restorable
A device whose sensing element will be destroyed by
the process of detecting a fire.
Heat Detector Restorable
A device
whose sensing element not destroyed by the process of detecting a fire.
Restoration may be automatic or manually.
Heat Detector Rate of Rise
A device that will respond when the temperature
rises in excess of a predetermined rate.
Initiating Device
A system component that originates
transmission of a change of state condition, such as a smoke detector,water
flow switch, etc.
Initiating Device Circuit
A
circuit to which automatic or manual initiating devices are connected.
Ionization Smoke Detector
A smoke
detector that has a small amount of radioactive material which ionizes the air
in the sensing chamber, thus rendering it conductive and permitting a current
to flow between two charged electrodes. This gives the sensing chamber an
effective electrical conductance. When smoke particles enter the sensing
chamber they decrease the
Conductance
of the air by attaching themselves to the ions, causing a reduction in
mobility. When conductance is reduced to less than a predetermined level, the
detector responds
Input
Provide
information about operating conditions (switches sensors)
Latching
Locked
on. A latching device will remain Active until reset.
Light
Scattering Smoke Detector
The action of light being reflected and/or
refracted off particles of combustion for detection by a photoelectric smoke
detector.
Line Type Detector
A device
in which detection is continuous along a path. Examples include projected beam
smoke detectors and heat sensitive cable.
Log
Record
or history of the operation of the processing equipment, listening each event’s
occurrence, time action, etc.
Local Fire Alarm System
A local system sounding an alarm at the
protected premises as the result of the operation of automatic or manual
initiating devices.
Proprietary Fire Alarm System
An
installation of fire alarm systems that serve contiguous and non contiguous
properties underone ownership from a proprietary supervising station located at
the protected property.
Manual Alarm Station [Pull Station]
A
manually operated device used to initiate an alarm signal.
Module
A plug
in circuit board, dedicated to a specific system function such as input signal receiving
Circuit, auxiliary relay control, tone signal generation.
Monitor Input
A system
input that is generally connected to a contact device that follows the
operation of auxiliary devices such as damper or automatic doors.
Morse Code
A
communication code that translates letters and numbers into combinations of
long and short pulses.
Notification Appliance Circuit (NAC)
A
circuit directly connected to a notification appliance.
National Fire Protection Association [NFPA]
Administers
the development of and publishes codes, standards, and other Materials
concerning all phases of fire safety.
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL)
a
laboratory that is recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
as meeting the necessary qualifications specified in the Code of Federal
Regulations. Common NRTL in the United
States
that deal with fire alarm products are FM Approvals, Intertek Testing Services
(ETL) and Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (ULI)
Non restorable Initiating Device
A device
whose sensing element is designed to be destroyed in the process of operation.
Notification Appliance
A fire
alarm system component such as a bell, horn, speaker, strobe, etc. that
provides an audible or visible output or both.
Obscuration
A reduction in the atmospheric transparency
caused by smoke. Usually expressed in
percent per foot.
Out Put
Causes
an electrical or electronic device to operate (lamps LED’s, Relays, motors)
Photoelectric Smoke Detector
A smoke detector utilizing a light source and
a photosensitive sensor so arranged that the rays from the light do not
normally shine on the photosensitive sensor. When smoke enters the light path,
some of the light reflects off the smoke onto the sensor, causing the detector
to respond.
Polarized
Signaling Device
A
signaling device that only operates if the correct electric polarity is
established across the signal circuit by the control panel.
Restorable Initiating Device
A device
whose sensing element is not ordinarily destroyed in the process of operation.
Restoration
may be manual or automatic.
Remote Station Fire Alarm System
A system installed in accordance with NFPA 72
to transmit alarm, trouble and supervisory
from one
or more protected premises to a remote location at which appropriate action is
taken.
RF( radio
frequency)
Electromagnetic
radiation, generally above 20 kHz, that may cause unwanted noise in
communications wiring.
Redundant Wiring
Circuit (or alternate path circuit)
The
circuit has two continuous path, separately protected, connecting all
components on the circuit.
Reset
A reset
common control function that attempt to return the alarm system or device to
its normal operation condition. Cancelling all programming until the reset is
completed and new input status information can be processed. All input device
and circuit must be in their normal state before the system will reset
completely.
Reversing Polarity
The
electric characteristic of an equipment module that define a switching from a
normal to an active state by the revising of the line polarity
Security Circuit
A
dedicated circuit or device used to monitoring secure areas, doors or windows for
accessing and intrusion violations.
Signaling
Line Circuit: A circuit or path between any combination of circuit
interfaces, control units, or transmitters over which
multiple
system input signals or output signals, or both are carried.
Signal Silence
Also known as alarm silence or audible
silence. Depending on the configuration of the alarm system, this function will
either silence the system's notification appliances completely, or will silence
only the audible alarm, with strobe lights continuing to flash. Audible silence
allows for easier communication amongst emergency responders while responding
to an alarm. This can also be used during construction as a means of a
preliminary test, before the final full test.
Spot Type Detector
A device
whose detecting element is concentrated at a particular location. Examples
include certain smoke
and heat
detectors.
Stratification An effect that occurs when air containing
smoke particles or products of combustion is heated by burning material,
rises
until it reaches a level where there is no longer a temperature difference
between it and the surrounding air
Supervisory Signal
A signal
indicating an “off normal” condition on the fire suppression system. Examples
include, tamper indication, low air pressure and low building temperature
Thermal Lag
The difference between the operating
temperature of a thermal detector and the actual air temperature.
Two-Wire Smoke Detector
A smoke detector that initiates an alarm condition on the
same pair of wires that supply power to the detector.
Walk test
Walk test allows
the functional testing of the system's devices without the assistance of
additional people at the control panel itself. It is also designed to allow
initiating devices to be tested without setting off the building's alarms. Most
panels offer the option for a silent walk test (no alarms activate) or an
audible walk test (alarms activate for a brief period when a device is
initiated). A system trouble is typically generated while the panel is in walk
test mode. On European panels, this is usually an engineer-only function &
cannot be activated by a user.
Zones
Zones are usually made by dividing a building, or area
into different sections. Then depending on the specific zone, a certain amount
and type of device is added to the zone to perform its given job.
