Fire Protection System

Vocabulary flashcards that cover fundamental terms, devices, systems, classes of fire, extinguishment methods, and code requirements related to Fire Protection Systems as outlined in the lecture notes.

Fire Protection System

Integrated measures (equipment, systems, procedures) designed to prevent, control, and extinguish fires in buildings.

Radiation (Heat Transfer)

Transmission of heat energy through electromagnetic waves that can travel through space.

Convection (Heat Transfer)

Transfer of heat by the movement of heated fluids (liquids or gases).

Conduction (Heat Transfer)

Direct transfer of heat from one body or material to another through physical contact.

Portable Fire Extinguisher

Hand-held device that discharges an agent to extinguish incipient fires; required by NFPA 1 in most occupancies.

Fire Alarm System

Network of initiating devices and notification appliances that warn occupants of a fire emergency.

Standpipe System

Vertical piping in a building with hose outlets on each floor for fire department or occupant use.

Automatic Fire Suppression System

Permanently fixed piping system that releases an extinguishing agent automatically upon fire detection.

Means of Egress

Continuous and unobstructed path of travel from any point in a building to a safe public way.

Fire Tetrahedron

Model stating fire needs heat, fuel, oxygen, and a chemical reaction; removing any element extinguishes fire.

Class A Fire

Fire involving ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, or many plastics.

Class B Fire

Fire involving flammable liquids or gases like gasoline, oils, tars, alcohol, propane, or butane.

Class C Fire

Fire involving energized electrical equipment; becomes another class once power is removed.

Class D Fire

Fire involving combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, or sodium.

Class K Fire

Fire involving cooking oils and greases of animal or vegetable origin.

Cooling (Extinguishment)

Fire-fighting method that removes heat, typically using water or foam.

Smothering (Extinguishment)

Method that dilutes or displaces oxygen to stop combustion, e.g., with foam or CO₂.

Fuel Removal (Extinguishment)

Method that eliminates or isolates the combustible material feeding the fire.

Inhibition (Extinguishment)

Method that interrupts the chemical chain reaction of combustion (e.g., dry chemical agents).

Water Extinguisher

Extinguisher that cools burning material; suitable for Class A fires only.

Foam Extinguisher

Agent that cools and forms a blanket over fuel; effective on Class A & B fires.

Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher

Displaces oxygen and cools with cold discharge; suitable for Class B & C fires.

Dry Chemical Extinguisher

Interrupts chemical chain reaction; multipurpose type effective on Class A, B, C fires.

Wet Chemical Extinguisher

Agent for Class K fires; removes heat and forms a barrier to prevent re-ignition.

Dry Powder Extinguisher

Specialized agent for Class D combustible metal fires only.

Clean Agent Extinguisher

Halon or halocarbon extinguisher that interrupts reaction and/or removes heat; rated for Class A, B, C.

Water Mist Extinguisher

Fine spray that cools and is safe for Class A and energized Class C fires where contamination is a concern.

Extinguisher Color Coding – Water

Red body indicating a water extinguisher.

Extinguisher Color Coding – Dry Powder

Blue panel identifying a dry powder extinguisher.

Extinguisher Color Coding – Foam

Cream panel indicating a foam extinguisher.

Extinguisher Color Coding – CO₂

Black panel identifying a carbon dioxide extinguisher.

Extinguisher Color Coding – Wet Chemical

Yellow panel used for wet chemical extinguishers.

Extinguisher Color Coding – Halon

Green panel (now limited use) for halon extinguishers.

PASS Technique

Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep – procedure for operating a fire extinguisher.

3 A’s of Fire Fighting

Activate alarm, Assist occupants, Attempt extinguishment if safe.

Monthly Extinguisher Inspection

Quick check every 30 days to verify location, accessibility, and correct pressure.

Annual Extinguisher Maintenance

Thorough examination by a fire-equipment professional each year per code.

Class I Standpipe

System with 2-½ inch hose valves for fire department use only; often dry.

Class II Standpipe

System with 1-½ inch hose valves for trained occupant use; typically wet.

Class III Standpipe

Combined system meeting Class I and II requirements for both firefighters and occupants.

Dry Standpipe

Standpipe piping normally empty; water supplied by fire department connection.

Wet Standpipe

Standpipe piping constantly filled with water from a reliable source.

Standpipe Outlet Size (Dry ≤23 m)

Minimum 102 mm (4 in) riser when highest outlet is ≤23 m above fire department connection.

Standpipe Outlet Size (Dry >23 m)

Minimum 153 mm (6 in) riser when highest outlet exceeds 23 m.

Wet Standpipe Flow Requirement

Must deliver at least 132 L/min at 1.8 kg/cm² (25.6 psi) from any two outlets for 30 min.

Sprinkler System

Automatic piping network with heat-activated sprinklers connected to a dependable water supply.

Wet-Pipe Sprinkler System

Sprinkler system with water stored in pipes; provides instant discharge when heads activate.

Dry-Pipe Sprinkler System

Pipes contain pressurized air or nitrogen; water enters after valve opens, used in cold areas.

Deluge Sprinkler System

Open nozzles release water simultaneously when detection system opens a control valve; for high-hazard areas.

Pre-Action Sprinkler System

Dry piping kept empty by electrically controlled pre-action valve requiring two signals before water fills pipes.

Tree Sprinkler Arrangement

Piping configuration with single path to sprinklers; less hydraulically efficient than loop/grid.

Loop Sprinkler Arrangement

Multiple cross mains tied together; provides more than one path for water to each sprinkler.

Gridded Sprinkler Arrangement

Parallel cross mains connected by branch lines; water reaches sprinklers from both ends for efficiency.

Sprinkler Riser

Vertical or horizontal pipe between water supply and system mains that contains a control valve.

Pendent Sprinkler Head

Sprinkler that hangs down through ceiling; deflector directs water downward.

Upright Sprinkler Head

Sprinkler installed above exposed piping with deflector facing upward.

Recessed Sprinkler Head

Sprinkler body partially set within a recessed housing in the ceiling.

Sidewall Sprinkler Head

Sprinkler mounted near walls directing water in a quarter-sphere pattern away from wall.

Heat-Sensitive Bulb

Glass bulb in sprinkler head filled with colored liquid that breaks at a set temperature (e.g., 135 °F).

Light Hazard Occupancy

Areas with low combustibility and expected low heat-release fires (e.g., offices, churches, residences).

Ordinary Hazard Group 1

Occupancies with moderate combustibles; stockpiles ≤8 ft and moderate heat release (e.g., bakeries).

Ordinary Hazard Group 2

Occupancies with moderate-to-high combustibles; stockpiles ≤12 ft and higher heat release (e.g., machine shops).

Extra Hazard Group 1

Very high combustibles with dust/lint; rapid fires but little flammable liquid (e.g., aircraft hangars).

Extra Hazard Group 2

Occupancies with substantial flammable liquids or heavy shielding of combustibles (e.g., paint dipping).

Maximum Sprinkler Coverage – Light Hazard

130–200 sq ft per head; max spacing roughly 15 ft apart.

Maximum Sprinkler Coverage – Ordinary Hazard

90–130 sq ft per head with 12 ft max spacing, based on calculations.

Sprinkler Spacing from Walls

Set at half the distance between heads; minimum 4 in from wall surfaces.

Dry Chemical (Multipurpose)

Ammonium-phosphate based agent rated for Class A, B, C fires.

Ordinary Dry Chemical

Sodium/potassium bicarbonate agent effective on Class B & C fires only.

Clean Agent (Halon/Halocarbon)

Gaseous agent that extinguishes by interrupting reaction or cooling, with minimal residue and lower ozone impact.

Inspection Tag (Extinguisher)

Label showing service month/year, agent, type, technician license, and firm certificate number.

Fire Brigade

Organized group of trained employees prepared for basic fire-fighting operations within a facility.

High-Rise Building

Structure 15 m (about 4–5 stories) or taller requiring special fire-protection features.

Incipient-Stage Fire

Beginning stage of a fire that can be controlled with portable extinguishers or small hose lines.

Sprinkler System Supervisory Device

Component that monitors system condition and signals abnormal status (e.g., valve tamper switch, pressure switch).

National Pipe Thread (NPT)

Standard thread type used on standpipe and fire-hose connections to ensure compatibility.

Blasting Agent

Fuel-oxidizer mixture used to initiate explosives.

Boiling Point (Fire Safety)

Temperature at which a liquid turns to vapor; critical for assessing flammable liquid hazards.

Combustible Liquid

Liquid with flash point ≥37.8 °C (100 °F); includes Class II, IIIA, and IIIB liquids.

Flammable Liquid

Liquid with flash point <37.8 °C (100 °F); subdivided into Class IA, IB, and IC.

Dry Standpipe Signage

Raised-letter sign reading “DRY STANDPIPE” affixed to fire-department connection.

PASS – Pull

First step: remove the safety pin to unlock the extinguisher handle.

PASS – Aim

Direct the nozzle at the base of the flames from a safe distance.

PASS – Squeeze

Press the operating lever to release the extinguishing agent.

PASS – Sweep

Move the stream side to side across the fire until extinguished.