Potter Fire Alarm Systems - Manual (Page 5)

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Fire Alarm Training • 8700055 • Rev F • 4/10
Glossary/Definitions
Addressable Device: A fire alarm system component with discreet identification that can have its status individually identified, or
that is used to individually control other functions.
Air Sampling-Type Detector: A detector that consists of a piping or tubing distribution network from the detector to the areas
being protected. A fan in the detector housing draws air from the protected area back to the detector. The air is analyzed for
products of combustion
Alarm Signal: A signal indicating an emergency requiring immediate action, such as a signal indicative of a fire.
Alarm Verification: A feature of some automatic fire detection and alarm systems to reduce unwanted alarms. Smoke detectors
must report alarm conditions for a minimum period of time, or confirm alarm conditions within a given time period after being
reset, to be accepted as a valid alarm initiating signal.
Analog Initiating Device: An initiating device that transmits a signal indicating varying degrees of condition, such as smoke
obscuration levels. As contrasted with a conventional initiating device which can only indicate an “on/off” condition
Annunciator: A unit containing two or more indicator lamps, alphanumeric displays, or other equivalent means in which each
indication provides status information about a circuit, condition, or location.
Approved: Acceptable to the “authority having jurisdiction”.
Note: The National Fire Protection Association does not approve, inspect or certify any installations, procedures, equipment, or
materials, nor does it approve or evaluate testing laboratories.
Authority Having Jurisdiction: Organization, office or individual responsible for “approving” equipment, an installation or a procedure.
Automatic Extinguishing System Operation Detector: A device that detects the operation of an extinguishing system by means
appropriate to the system employed. Including but not limited to water flow devices.
Automatic Extinguishing System Supervision: Devices that respond to abnormal conditions that could affect the proper
operation of an automatic sprinkler system or other fire extinguishing system. Including but not limited to control valves, pressure
levels, room temperature, etc.
Automatic Fire Detectors: A device designed to detect the presence of fire or the products of combustion. Including but not
limited to heat detectors, flame detectors, smoke detectors.
Auxiliary Fire Alarm System: A system connected to a municipal fire alarm system for transmitting an alarm of fire to the public
fire service communication center. Fire alarms from an auxiliary system are received at the public fire service communication center
on the same equipment and by the same methods as alarms transmitted manually from municipal fire alarm boxes located on streets.
Breakglass Fire Alarm Box: A fire alarm box in which it is necessary to break a special element in order to operate the box.
Ceiling: The upper surface of a space, regardless of height. Areas with a suspended ceiling would have two ceilings, one visible
from the floor and one above the suspended ceiling.
Ceiling Height: The height from the continuous floor of a room to the continuous ceiling of a room or space.
Ceiling Surfaces: Ceiling surfaces referred to in conjunction with the locations of initiating devices are as follows:
A} Beam Construction: Ceilings having solid nonstructural members projecting down from the ceiling surface more than 4 in.
and spaced more than 3 ft., center to center.
B} Girders: Girders support beams or joists and run at right angles to the beams or joists. When the top of girders are within 4
in. of the ceiling, they are a factor in determining the number of detectors and are to be considered as beams. When the top of the
girder is more than 4 in. from the ceiling, it is not a factor in detector location.
Central Station: A supervising station that is listed for central station service.
Central Station Fire Alarm System: A system or group of systems in which the operations of circuits and devices are
transmitted automatically to, recorded in, maintained by, and supervised from a listed central station.
Class A Circuit: Class A refers to an arrangement of monitored initiating device, signaling line, or notification appliance circuits, which
would permit a single open or ground on the installation wiring of these circuits from causing loss of the systems intended function.
Class B Circuit: Class B refers to an arrangement of monitored initiating device, signaling line, or notification appliance circuits,
which would permit a single open or ground on the installation wiring of these circuits to cause loss of the systems intended function.
Combination Detector: A device that either responds to more than one fire phenomenon or employees more than one operating
principle to sense one of these phenomenon. Typical examples are combination smoke/heat detectors or a combination rate of rise
and fixed temperature heat detector.