Page 51 - 2018_IFC

DEFINITIONS

ments to enclose space. Occupants of such a structure do not [BE] ALTERNATING TREAD DEVICE. A device that
occupy the pressurized areas used to support the structure. has a series of steps between 50 and 70 degrees (0.87 and
[BG] AIR-SUPPORTED STRUCTURE. A structure 1.22 rad) from horizontal, usually attached to a center support
wherein the shape of the structure is attained by air pressure, rail in an alternating manner so that the user does not have
and occupants of the structure are within the elevated pres- both feet on the same level at the same time.
sure area. Air supported structures are of two basic types: [BG] AMBULATORY CARE FACILITY. Buildings or
Double skin. Similar to a single skin, but with an attached portions thereof used to provide medical, surgical, psychiat-
liner that is separated from the outer skin and provides an ric, nursing or similar care on a less-than-24-hour basis to
airspace which serves for insulation, acoustic, aesthetic or persons who are rendered incapable of self-preservation by
similar purposes. the services provided or staff has accepted responsibility for
care recipients already incapable.
Single skin. Where there is only the single outer skin and
the air pressure is directly against that skin. AMMONIUM NITRATE. A chemical compound repre-
AIRCRAFT MOTOR-VEHICLE FUEL-DISPENSING sented by the formula NH NO .
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FACILITY. That portion of property where flammable or ANNUNCIATOR. A unit containing one or more indicator
combustible liquids or gases used as motor fuels are stored lamps, alphanumeric displays or other equivalent means in
and dispensed from fixed automotive-type equipment into the which each indication provides status information about a cir-
fuel tanks of aircraft. cuit, condition or location.
AIRCRAFT OPERATION AREA (AOA). Any area used [A] APPROVED. Acceptable to the fire code official.
or intended for use for the parking, taxiing, takeoff, landing
or other ground-based aircraft activity. [BG] AREA, BUILDING. The area included within sur-
rounding exterior walls (or exterior walls and fire walls)
AIRPORT. An area of land or structural surface that is used, exclusive of vent shafts and courts. Areas of the building not
or intended for use, for the landing and taking off of aircraft provided with surrounding walls shall be included in the
with an overall length greater than 39 feet (11 887 mm) and building area if such areas are included within the horizontal
an overall exterior fuselage width greater than 6.6 feet (2012 projection of the roof or floor above.
mm), and any appurtenant areas that are used or intended for
use for airport buildings and other airport facilities. [BE] AREA OF REFUGE. An area where persons unable to
use stairways can remain temporarily to await instructions or
[BE] AISLE. An unenclosed exit access component that assistance during emergency evacuation.
defines and provides a path of egress travel.
ARRAY. The configuration of storage. Characteristics con-
[BE] AISLE ACCESSWAY. That portion of an exit access
that leads to an aisle. sidered in defining an array include the type of packaging,
flue spaces, height of storage and compactness of storage.
ALARM, NUISANCE. See “Nuisance alarm.”
ARRAY, CLOSED. A storage configuration having a 6-inch
ALARM DEVICE, MULTIPLE STATION. See “Multi- (152 mm) or smaller width vertical flue space that restricts air
ple-station alarm device.”
movement through the stored commodity.
ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE. A fire alarm [BG] ATRIUM. An opening connecting two or more stories
system component such as a bell, horn, speaker, light or text other than enclosed stairways, elevators, hoistways, escala-
display that provides audible, tactile or visible outputs, or any tors, plumbing, electrical, air-conditioning or other equip-
combination thereof. See also “Audible alarm notification ment, which is closed at the top and not defined as a mall.
appliance” or “Visible alarm notification appliance.”
Stories, as used in this definition, do not include balconies
ALARM SIGNAL. A signal indicating an emergency requir- within assembly groups or mezzanines that comply with Sec-
ing immediate action, such as a signal indicative of fire. tion 505 of the International Building Code.
ALARM VERIFICATION FEATURE. A feature of auto- [BG] ATTIC. The space between the ceiling framing of the
matic fire detection and alarm systems to reduce unwanted top story and the underside of the roof.
alarms wherein smoke detectors report alarm conditions for a
minimum period of time, or confirm alarm conditions within AUDIBLE ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE. A
a given time period, after being automatically reset, in order notification appliance that alerts by the sense of hearing.
to be accepted as a valid alarm-initiation signal. AUTOMATED RACK STORAGE. Automated rack stor-
ALCOHOL-BASED HAND RUB. An alcohol-containing age is a stocking method whereby the movement of pallets,
preparation designed for application to the hands for reducing products, apparatus or systems are automatically controlled
the number of viable microorganisms on the hands and con- by mechanical or electronic devices.
taining ethanol or isopropanol in an amount not exceeding AUTOMATIC. As applied to fire protection devices, a
95-percent by volume. device or system providing an emergency function without
ALCOHOL-BLENDED FUELS. Flammable liquids con- the necessity for human intervention and activated as a result
sisting of greater than 10 percent, by volume, ethanol or other of a predetermined temperature rise, rate of temperature rise
alcohols blended with gasoline. or combustion products.
[A] ALTERATION. Any construction or renovation to an AUTOMATIC FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM. An
existing structure other than a repair or addition. approved system of devices and equipment which automati-

18 2018 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE ®
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