Automatic opening vent (AOV)
A vent opened automatically on smoke detection to clear smoke from escape routes such as stair cores and corridors; tested from the mapped trigger through to full travel.
Fire Engineering Glossary
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 12 of 12 matching glossary entries.
Cause and effect matrix
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.
Commissioning
The systematic proving of a completed installation against the design: device tests, cause-and-effect verification, sound levels, battery calculations and documentation.
Dual-path signalling
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.
Duration test
A full rated-duration discharge of emergency lighting with every luminaire inspected at the end of the period, when failing batteries drop out.
Schedule so the building can tolerate discharged batteries during the recharge that follows.
Functional test
A brief regular test proving each emergency luminaire operates on supply failure — proves function, not duration.
Log book
The site record of events, tests, faults, impairments and service visits; the system's legal and engineering memory.
Manual call point
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.
Smoke damper
A powered damper in ductwork controlled to restrict smoke movement; the test is trigger → movement → position feedback, not just a status LED.
Soak test
Running a system or modified section for an agreed period before final acceptance to expose intermittent faults and nuisance alarms.
Standby battery calculation
Sizing batteries from standby current × standby duration plus alarm current × alarm duration, with the required safety margin, rounded up to a standard battery size.
Walk test
A one-engineer test mode where activated devices register at the panel (often without outputs) so devices can be proven while walking the site.
Always confirm test mode is cancelled before leaving — a panel left in test cannot raise a real alarm normally.