Fire Alarm Systems Flashcards
An audio distribution scheme using 70V rms and a “constant voltage” transformer at each speaker.
70V rms Audio
A binary/hexadecimal number that uniquely identifies a specific device, module or power supply.
Address
Devices that are capable of being uniquely identified by being addressed with a binary, hexadecimal or decimal number so that they can be identified by a control unit to provide trouble, alarm, output and control indications.
Addressable Device
The temperature, obscuration level, etc. above which an alarm is defined for a particular sensor.
Alarm Threshold
A device that is activated by the fire alarm system, but is not part of the fire alarm system, e.g. door holders, smoke control fans, damper controls, auxiliary relays, etc.
Ancillary Device
A visible or audible device that indicates an alarm or other condition. It may include a graphic representation of a building layout and a handset for paging.
Annunciator
For a fire alarm system, the Fire Marshall.
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
The rate of data transmission in bits per second.
Baud Rate
An electromechanical signalling device.
Bell
Also known as the Fire Department Relay. Provides a connection to a Central Monitoring Station or Fire Department. - is an ancillary device
City Tie Module
Identifies a specific area and type of alarm.
Coded signal
An electromagnetic device that holds a fire door open normally and closes it in a fire emergency.
Door holder
The ability to detect an electrical fault condition such as a ground, open or loss of communication capability in a device or wiring.
Electrical supervision
The designated floor to which the elevator will automatically go in the event of an alarm.
Elevator homing floor
A resistor installed at the end of a device wiring loop.
End-of-line Resistor (E.O.L.R.)
The evacuation signal that is intended to cause all occupants of the building to leave in an alarm situation.
General Alarm Signal
Fire Alarm Control Panel
FACP
Regulations that govern the safe and effective operation of fire alarm systems and devices.
Fire Code
A device that detects a fire signature and automatically initiates an alert or an alarm signal.
Fire detector
A smoke detector that initiates an alert or an alarm condition on two wires different from the two wires that supply power to the detector.
Four-wire smoke detector
A device that operates when the ambient temperature exceeds a factory set setpoint.
Fixed heat detector
A device in which detection is continuous along a path. Principle: ∆T → ∆R or ∆T → ∆P
Line heat detector
A fast-acting fixed temperature heat detector with a comparably low thermal lag, calibrated to operate irrespective of the rate of temperature increase.
Rate compensation heat detector
A supervised input circuit connected to alarm initiating devices such as smoke detectors, etc.
Initiating Device Circuit (IDC)
Input/Output
I/O
The action of light being reflected or refracted off particles of combustion for detection by a photoelectric smoke detector.
Light scattering
A signal to alert maintenance people that a sensor is dirty.
Maintenance alert
A system input that is connected to a device that confirms the operation of dampers, doors, etc.
Monitor Input
A node is a common reference to a single control panel that is part of a network.
Node
A signalling appliance that is continuously energized to create an alert or alarm signal.
Non-code signal
The reduction in the atmospheric transparency caused by smoke or dust, expressed as a percentage.
Obscuration
A signalling device that operates only if the correct electrical polarity is established across the signal circuit by the control panel.
Polarized Signalling Device
Substances resulting from a fire such as smoke, ash, gasses or ionized particles.
Products of combustion
A path to distribute power or signals used by multiple panels or devices.
Riser
A serial differential communications format used on high level networks and optionally on data lines between control panels.
RS-485
An approved device such as a bell, horn, chime, siren, gong and strobe light wired in a supervised fire alarm circuit.
Signal Device Circuit (SDC)
In a projected beam smoke detector, light is transmitted and monitored between a light source and a receiver. Any smoke particles that come between them reduces the amount of light received causing the detector to activate.
Projected beam smoke detector
A terminal strip on a speaker that allows for different power levels to be selected at each speaker.
Speaker Tap
A high-rise alarm signalling system in which evacuation (general alarm) signals sound on the floor of alarm and the floors immediately above and below, while alert signals sound in the remainder of the the building.
Staged Evacuation System
Monitoring of a device or circuit and the annunciation of conditions preventing their normal operation.
Supervision
A device that detects the removal or opening of a protective cover, or the change of status of a supervised valve position.
Tamper switch
A time delay for a heat detecting element to heat up.
Thermal lag
A fire alarm system with non-addressable, non-analog devices connected together on zoned wiring circuits so that all devices in the circuit provide common status change information at the panel.
Traditional system
A transmitter that responds to an interrogating signal. This component interfaces with devices in the field as to their operation and sends this info back to the FACU.
Transponder
An alarm signalling method in which an alarm initiating device may cause an alert signal to notify key workers to investigate prior to starting an evacuation process.
Two-stage system
A smoke detector that initiates an alarm condition on the same two wires that supply power to the detector.
Two-wire smoke detector
A smoke detector which communicates with associated control/receiving equipment using wireless (radio) transmissions
Wireless smoke detector
A distinct physical area in which closely associated alarm, supervisory, monitor, security, signal, paging, telephone, or relay devices are located.
Zone
A device that detects the infra-red, ultra-violet or visible radiation produced by a fire.
Flame detector
An addressable device that acts as a transponder for one or more conventional alarm devices so that an area may be identified by the activation of any one device connected to the addressable zone module.
Addressable Zone Module
A telephone system which provides two-way voice communications between the control panels and remotely located emergency telephones. This system is self-sustaining from the fire alarm system.
Emergency Telephone System
The capability of a control panel to accommodate additional devices or remote panels.
Expandability
A one person test mode which facilitates testing of initiating devices and circuits…useful for installation and maintenance checks.
FasTest
A panel function that attempts to return the alarm system or device to its normal operating condition. All input devices and circuits must be in their normal state before the system can do so.
Reset
A panel characteristic describing the flexibility of making changes to it at the installation site.
Field Programmable
A control panel feature switch that allows for activation of all signal circuits as a test for evacuation procedures. It will not operate any programmed auxiliary functions or contact the fire dept.
Fire Drill
A specially designated elevator, installed in its own
separate shaft that is used during a fire emergency.
Fire Fighters Elevator
A water pump that provides capacity for fire extinguishing system needs (standpipe, sprinkler, hoses)
Fire Pump
An electronic sensor that causes an alarm condition whenever water flow is detected in a sprinkler piping system.
Flow Switch
A relay contact found in the control panel.
Form A contact: N.O. contact
Form B contact: N.C. contact
Form C contact: a relay with both N.C. and N.O. contacts
Contact
Evacuation alarm signal
General Alarm
The process of sequentially interrogating modules or devices to determine if their status is normal, active or trouble.
Polling
A traditional non-multiplexed, non-addressable system.
Hardwired System
A device that detects abnormally high temperature and/or rate of rise of temperature. Used for the protection of property, not life safety.
Heat detector
Cabinets containing a length of hose connected to a water valve, located throughout a building to provide quick local fire extinguishing access.
Hose Cabinet
An unwanted alarm caused by everyday events such as
cooking, cigarette smoke, dust, insects, etc.
Nuisance alarm
When an addressable panel loses it’s communication link, it will revert to a conventional system utilizing end-of-line resistors and 40mA of supervisory current to ensure a basic signalling operation of the system.
Degraded Mode
Utilizing this, the FACU can isolate and exhaust smoke and control pressurization of the areas around a fire.
Damper Control
A data communications line that is dedicated to a specific function, such as paging or evacuation signaling.
Channel
This is a deliberate action of the panel operator to confirm that a message has been seen.
Acknowledge
A logical AND operation that is programmed between two initiating device zones, done in such a way that when one zone will cause an alert signal but operation of the second zone will cause a general alarm.
Cross Zone
This software feature in addressable FA panels monitors the integrity of the electronics in the panel and will indicate a trouble in the event of a failure on the circuit board.
Watchdog
This ancillary function will allow firefighters to move through the building when they arrive.
Elevator recall
An installer would follow this when spacing his smoke detectors around a room.
Detector coverage
This device provides Stage 3 fire protection.
UV/IR detector
A drawing that shows the FACU and annunciator components, their location and the connecting wiring between them.
Block diagram
An integrated computer system for controlling various aspects of a buildings operation including heating, air conditioning and lighting.
Building Management System (BMS)
An audible signal used to communicate a ‘safe to return’ condition to people already evacuated from a building.
All Clear
A normally-open contact found on an auxiliary relay can also go by this term.
Form A
This feature on analog IDC’s causes the alarm threshold points to automatically change for separate day and night operation.
Alternate sensitivity
This class of fire extinguisher involves ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper and cloth. The pictogram is a garbage bin and wood pile burning
Class A fire extinguisher
This class of fire extinguisher involves flammable liquids such as gasoline and diesel. The pictogram is a gasoline can with a burning puddle.
Class B fire extinguisher
This class of fire extinguisher involves energized electrical equipment. The pictogram is an electric plug with a burning outlet.
Class C fire extinguisher
This class of fire extinguisher involves combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium and potassium. The pictogram is a burning I-beam.
Class D fire extinguisher
This class of fire extinguisher involves commercial cooking appliances with vegetable oils, animal fats or grease. The pictogram is a frying pan burning.
Class K fire extinguisher
