Fire Inspection & Code Enforcement (6Th Edition)-Chapter 8 Terms

Fire Inspection & Code Enforcement (6th Edition)
Chapter 8 Terms
Portable Fire Extinguishers, Special Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems, & Fire Detection and Alarm Systems

Alarm Initiating Device
A mechanical or electrical device that activates an alarm system. There are three basic types of alarm-initiating devices: manual, products-of-combustion detectors, and extinguishing system activation devices.

Dry Chemical
Any one of a number of powdery extinguishing agents used to extinguish fires.

Exhaust System
A ventilation system designed to remove stale air, smoke, vapors, or other airborne contaminants from an area.

Exit Discharge
That portion of a means of egress that is between the exit and a public way.

Expellant Gas
Any of a number of inert gases that are compressed and used to force extinguishing agents from a portable fire extinguisher. Nitrogen is the most commonly used expellant gas.

Extinguishing Agent
Any substance used for the purpose of controlling or extinguishing a fire.

Fire Alarm System
(1) A system of alerting devices that takes a signal from fire detection or extinguishing equipment and alerts building occupants or proper authorities of a fire condition. (2) A system used to dispatch fire department personnel and apparatus to emergency incidents.

Fire Detection System
A system of detection devices, wiring, and supervisory equipment used for detecting fire or products of combustion and then signaling that these elements are present.

Fire Extinguisher
A portable fire fighting device designed to combat incipient fires.

Fire Retardant
A chemical applied to material or another substance that is designed to retard ignition or the spread of fire.

Fluoronated Surfactants
Chemicals that lower the surface tension of a liquid, in this case fire fighting foams.

Foam
An extinguishing agent produced by mixing a foam-producing compound with water and aerating the solution for expansion. These agents are primarily used for extinguishing Class B fires, but in some cases may be used on Class A fires as well.

Halogenated Agents
Chemical compounds (halogenated hydrocarbons) that contain carbon plus one or more elements from the halogen series. Halon 1301 and Halon 1211 are most commonly used as extinguishing agents for Class B and C fires.

Hoseline
A section of flexible conduit that is connected to a water supply source for the purpose of delivering water onto a fire.

Ionization
The process by which an object or substance gains or loses electrons, thus changing its electrical charge.

Mechanical Systems
Large equipment systems within a building that may include, but are not limited to, climate control systems; smoke, dust, and vapor removal systems; trash collection systems; and automated mail systems. These do not include general utility systems such as electric, gas, and water.

Predischarge Alarm
An alarm that sounds before a total flooding fire extinguishing system is about to discharge, thus giving occupants the opportunity to leave the area.

Smoke Damper
A device that restricts the flow of smoke through an air handling system.

Smokeproof Enclosures
Stairways that are designed to limit the penetration of smoke, heat, and toxic gases and that serve as part of a means of egress.

Supervisory Circuit
An electronic circuit within a fire protection system that monitors the system's readiness and transmits a signal when there is a problem with the system.

Travel Distance
The distance from any given area in a structure to the nearest exit or to a fire extinguisher.

Ventilation
The systematic removal of heated air, smoke, and gases from a structure and replacing them with cooler air to reduce damage and facilitate fire fighting operations.