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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 8 of 8 matching glossary entries.

Fire detection

Addressable system

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.

Fire detection

As-fitted drawings

Drawings updated to show what was actually installed — positions, addresses, routes and interfaces — rather than the original design intent.

Standards & law

BS 7273-4

The UK code of practice for actuation of release mechanisms for doors — the fire-alarm-to-door-release interface and its categories of actuation.

Interfaces

Door release interface

The monitored interface releasing held-open fire doors on the mapped alarm condition; a released door must also close and latch fully to count.

Standards & law

EN 54 series

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.

Fire detection

End-of-line device

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.

Interfaces

Interface unit

A monitored input/output device connecting the fire system to other building systems — plant, dampers, lifts, security — under cause-and-effect control.

Power & batteries

Power supply unit (PSU)

The monitored supply providing system power and battery charging; PSU faults commonly present as charger, battery or mains fault indications.