Page 60 - 2018_IFC

DEFINITIONS

FALSE ALARM. The willful and knowing initiation or matically shut down in the event of a fire, or in dynamic
transmission of a signal, message or other notification of an systems that continue to operate during a fire. A dynamic fire
event of fire when no such danger exists. damper is tested and rated for closure under elevated tem-
perature airflow.
FINES. Small pieces or splinters of wood byproducts that
will pass through a 0.25-inch (6.4 mm) screen. FIRE DEPARTMENT MASTER KEY. A limited issue
key of special or controlled design to be carried by fire
FIRE ALARM. The giving, signaling or transmission to any
public fire station, or company or to any officer or employee department officials in command which will open key boxes
thereof, whether by telephone, spoken word or otherwise, of on specified properties.
information to the effect that there is a fire at or near the place FIRE DETECTOR, AUTOMATIC. A device designed to
indicated by the person giving, signaling or transmitting such detect the presence of a fire signature and to initiate action.
information.
[BF] FIRE DOOR. The door component of a fire door
FIRE ALARM BOX, MANUAL. See “Manual fire alarm assembly.
box.”
[BF] FIRE DOOR ASSEMBLY. Any combination of a fire
FIRE ALARM CONTROL UNIT. A system component door, frame, hardware and other accessories that together
that receives inputs from automatic and manual fire alarm provide a specific degree of fire protection to the opening.
devices and may be capable of supplying power to detection [BF] FIRE EXIT HARDWARE. Panic hardware that is
devices and transponder(s) or off-premises transmitter(s). listed for use on fire door assemblies.
The control unit may be capable of providing a transfer of
power to the notification appliances and transfer of condition FIRE LANE. A road or other passageway developed to
to relays or devices. allow the passage of fire apparatus. A fire lane is not neces-
sarily intended for vehicular traffic other than fire apparatus.
FIRE ALARM SIGNAL. A signal initiated by a fire alarm-
initiating device such as a manual fire alarm box, automatic [BF] FIRE PARTITION. A vertical assembly of materials
fire detector, waterflow switch or other device whose activa- designed to restrict the spread of fire in which openings are
tion is indicative of the presence of a fire or fire signature. protected.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM. A system or portion of a combi- FIRE POINT. The lowest temperature at which a liquid will
nation system consisting of components and circuits arranged ignite and achieve sustained burning when exposed to a test
to monitor and annunciate the status of fire alarm or supervi- flame in accordance with ASTM D92.
sory signal-initiating devices and to initiate the appropriate [BF] FIRE PROTECTION RATING. The period of time
response to those signals. that an opening protective assembly will maintain the ability
FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROAD. A road that provides to confine a fire as determined by tests prescribed in Section
fire apparatus access from a fire station to a facility, building 716 of the International Building Code. Ratings are stated in
or portion thereof. This is a general term inclusive of all other hours or minutes.
terms such as fire lane, public street, private street, parking FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM. Approved devices, equip-
lot lane and access roadway. ment and systems or combinations of systems used to detect a
[BF] FIRE AREA. The aggregate floor area enclosed and fire, activate an alarm, extinguish or control a fire, control or
bounded by fire walls, fire barriers, exterior walls or hori- manage smoke and products of a fire or any combination
zontal assemblies of a building. Areas of the building not pro- thereof.
vided with surrounding walls shall be included in the fire area [BF] FIRE RESISTANCE. That property of materials or
if such areas are included within the horizontal projection of their assemblies that prevents or retards the passage of exces-
the roof or floor next above. sive heat, hot gases or flames under conditions of use.
[BF] FIRE BARRIER. A fire-resistance-rated wall assem- FIRE SAFETY FUNCTIONS. Building and fire control
bly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in functions that are intended to increase the level of life safety
which continuity is maintained. for occupants or to control the spread of the harmful effects
FIRE CHIEF. The chief officer of the fire department serv- of fire.
ing the jurisdiction, or a duly authorized representative. [BF] FIRE SEPARATION DISTANCE. The distance mea-
FIRE CODE OFFICIAL. The fire chief or other designated sured from the building face to one of the following:
authority charged with the administration and enforcement of 1. The closest interior lot line.
the code, or a duly authorized representative.
2. To the centerline of a street, an alley or public way.
FIRE COMMAND CENTER. The principal attended or
unattended location where the status of detection, alarm com- 3. To an imaginary line between two buildings on the lot.
munications and control systems is displayed, and from The distance shall be measured at right angles from the
which the system(s) can be manually controlled. face of the wall.
[BF] FIRE DAMPER. A listed device installed in ducts and [BF] FIRE WALL. A fire-resistance-rated wall having pro-
air transfer openings designed to close automatically upon tected openings, which restricts the spread of fire and extends
detection of heat and resist the passage of flame. Fire damp- continuously from the foundation to or through the roof, with
ers are classified for use in either static systems that will auto- sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to allow

2018 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE ® 27
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