Technical terms spanning standards, manufacturers, commissioning, networking, testing and fault finding.
Technical guidance only. Confirm current project requirements against the applicable standards, legislation, system documentation and site-specific fire strategy.
Showing 31 of 31 matching glossary entries.
A fire alarm system in which each device has a unique address, letting the panel identify exactly which detector, call point or interface generated an event.
Makes fault-finding far faster than conventional zones — always keep the device schedule current.
The monitored centre receiving fire and fault signals from site transmission equipment and initiating the agreed response.
Test end-to-end with the ARC operator on the line — the dialler LED is not a test.
The UK code of practice for fire detection and alarm systems in non-domestic premises, covering design, installation, commissioning and maintenance recommendations.
Check the current edition and amendment before quoting any recommendation.
The UK code of practice for fire detection and alarm systems in domestic premises, including the grade and category conventions for dwellings.
The UK code of practice for actuation of release mechanisms for doors — the fire-alarm-to-door-release interface and its categories of actuation.
The European standards series for intruder and hold-up alarm systems, including the security grading framework.
The site-specific document mapping every alarm input to its required outputs (sounders, dampers, doors, plant, signalling); the reference for commissioning and testing.
An unversioned or missing matrix is a defect worth reporting in its own right.
Requiring two independent detectors in alarm before an output operates — standard practice ahead of suppression release.
An intruder activation corroborated by a second technology or event (sequential detection, audio or visual), used to support response policies.
A fire alarm system arranged in radial zones where the panel knows the affected zone but not the individual device.
Diagnosis relies on the zone chart and physically checking each device in the zone.
The area covered by a group of detection devices reported together, sized and bounded so responders can locate the origin of an alarm quickly.
The monitored interface releasing held-open fire doors on the mapped alarm condition; a released door must also close and latch fully to count.
Alarm transmission over two independent paths (e.g. IP plus radio) so a single path failure does not silence the site; both paths need testing.
The European product standards for fire detection and alarm system components — panels, power supplies, detectors, call points, sounders, isolators and radio devices each have their own part.
The EN 54 part covering visual alarm devices (VADs), including the coverage classification system used to select and site them.
The programmed path allowing setting and unsetting without triggering an immediate alarm, with timed entry and exit periods.
The position equipment adopts on power or signal loss — open or closed varies by design strategy, so confirm the intended state before judging behaviour a fault.
The UK convention describing system objectives: L categories protect life, P categories protect property, M is manual-only; the category drives detection coverage.
Confirm the category from the design documentation before judging coverage — never assume.
The UK domestic convention describing the equipment standard and power arrangements for dwelling alarm systems, set by the applicable domestic standard and risk.
An intruder alarm specified to a grade matching the assessed intruder skill and risk, driving supervision, tamper and signalling requirements.
Check insurer requirements before modifying anything on a graded system.
A detector operating on fixed temperature, rate of temperature rise, or both; used where smoke detection would false-alarm, at the cost of slower response.
The break-glass device that lets an occupant raise the alarm manually; tested with the manufacturer's key so the frangible element is not broken.
A point detector sensing light scattered by smoke particles in its chamber; effective on smouldering fires, more prone to dust and steam nuisance alarms.
The UK scheme document applying the EN 50131 series to UK intruder alarm installations.
An evacuation strategy where areas evacuate in stages rather than simultaneously, driven by the cause-and-effect programme and voice alarm or staged signals.
A panel warning that a detector's reading has risen above normal but below the alarm threshold — often early contamination, steam or a developing condition.
Running a system or modified section for an agreed period before final acceptance to expose intermittent faults and nuisance alarms.
The measured loudness of the alarm signal at a location; verified during commissioning against the design targets for the premises and confirmed with a meter, not by ear.
Sizing batteries from standby current × standby duration plus alarm current × alarm duration, with the required safety margin, rounded up to a standard battery size.
A fire signal from anything other than a real fire — cooking, steam, dust, works, faults or malicious operation; managed by matching detection type and siting to the environment.
A flashing warning device providing visual alarm indication, selected and sited using its rated coverage classification.