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 22 of 22 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.
Ring wiring returned to the panel so devices stay in communication from the other direction after a single break.
Radial (spur) wiring; devices beyond a break are lost, so a break shows as multiple missing devices downstream of one point.
The systematic proving of a completed installation against the design: device tests, cause-and-effect verification, sound levels, battery calculations and documentation.
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.
A deliberate, indicated inhibition of a device, zone or output at the panel; a controlled impairment that must be recorded and reinstated.
Isolations left over from previous visits are a classic 'why didn't it work' finding.
Cause-and-effect logic requiring a second confirming trigger (same or second device) before a critical output such as plant shutdown or release operates.
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.
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 resistor, capacitor or active unit at the end of a monitored circuit that lets the panel supervise the wiring for open and short circuit faults.
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.
A monitored input/output device connecting the fire system to other building systems — plant, dampers, lifts, security — under cause-and-effect control.
A loop device that disconnects a faulted section (typically a short circuit) so the remainder of the loop keeps operating.
When the panel shows 'isolator operated', the isolated section is your search area.
The two-wire circuit connecting addressable devices to the panel, normally wired as a ring so devices remain in communication from either direction if the ring is broken at one 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.
The current a system draws in normal standby, from panel and all devices together; the first input to any battery calculation.
Loop devices often dwarf the panel's own figure — never use the panel datasheet alone.
Assigning device addresses from the panel or programmer rather than physical switches; convenient, but replacements must be re-addressed deliberately.
After a soft-addressed replacement, run the device list and check for duplicates.
A flashing warning device providing visual alarm indication, selected and sited using its rated coverage classification.
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.
The diagram at the panel showing zone boundaries and device locations so a stranger — fire officer or relief engineer — can locate any event quickly.