International Building Code Section 902

International Building Code 902.1

Definitions. The followingwords and terms shall, for the
purposes of this chapter, and as used elsewhere in this code,
have the meanings shown herein.
[F] ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE. A fire alarm
system component such as a bell, horn, speaker, light or text
display that provides audible, tactile or visible outputs, or any
combination thereof.
[F] ALARM SIGNAL. A signal indicating an emergency
requiring immediate action, such as a signal indicative of fire.
[F] ALARM VERIFICATION FEATURE. A feature of
automatic fire detection and alarm systems to reduce unwanted
alarms wherein smoke detectors report alarm conditions for a
minimum period of time, or confirm alarm conditions within a
given time period, after being automatically reset, in order to be
accepted as a valid alarm-initiation signal.
[F] ANNUNCIATOR. A unit containing one or more indicator
lamps, alphanumeric displays or other equivalent means in
which each indication provides status information about a circuit,
condition or location.
[F]AUDIBLEALARMNOTIFICATIONAPPLIANCE.A
notification appliance that alerts by the sense of hearing.
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[F] AUTOMATIC. As applied to fire protection devices, is a
device or system providing an emergency function without the
necessity for human intervention and activated as a result of a
predetermined temperature rise, rate of temperature rise or
combustion products.
[F] AUTOMATIC FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.
An approved system of devices and equipment which automatically
detects a fire and discharges an approved fire-extinguishing
agent onto or in the area of a fire.
[F]AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM.Asprinkler system,
for fire protection purposes, is an integrated system of
underground and overhead piping designed in accordance with
fire protection engineering standards. The system includes a
suitable water supply. The portion of the system above the
ground is a network of specially sized or hydraulically
designed piping installed in a structure or area, generally overhead,
and to which automatic sprinklers are connected in a systematic
pattern. The system is usually activated by heat from a
fire and discharges water over the fire area.
[F] AVERAGEAMBIENT SOUND LEVEL. The root mean
square, A-weighted sound pressure level measured over a
24-hour period.
[F] CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS.
A system supplying carbon dioxide (CO2) from a pressurized
vessel through fixed pipes and nozzles. The system includes a
manual- or automatic-actuating mechanism.
[F] CEILING LIMIT. The maximum concentration of an
air-borne contaminant to which one may be exposed, as published
in DOL 29 CFR Part 1910.1000.
[F] CLEAN AGENT. Electrically nonconducting, volatile or
gaseous fire extinguishant that does not leave a residue upon
evaporation.
[F] CONSTANTLY ATTENDED LOCATION. A designated
location at a facility staffed by trained personnel on a
continuous basis where alarm or supervisory signals are monitored
and facilities are provided for notification of the fire
department or other emergency services.
[F] DELUGE SYSTEM. A sprinkler system employing open
sprinklers attached to a piping system connected to awater supply
through a valve that is opened by the operation of a detection
system installed in the same areas as the sprinklers. When
this valve opens, water flows into the piping system and discharges
from all sprinklers attached thereto.
[F] DETECTOR, HEAT. A fire detector that senses heat produced
by burning substances. Heat is the energy produced by
combustion that causes substances to rise in temperature.
[F] DRY-CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHING AGENT. A
powder composed of small particles, usually of sodium bicarbonate,
potassium bicarbonate, urea-potassium-based bicarbonate,
potassium chloride or monoammonium phosphate,
with added particulate material supplemented by special treatment
to provide resistance to packing, resistance to moisture
absorption (caking) and the proper flow capabilities.
[F]EMERGENCYALARMSYSTEM.Asystem to provide
indication and warning of emergency situations involving hazardous
materials.
[F] EMERGENCY VOICE/ALARM COMMUNICATIONS.
Dedicated manual or automatic facilities for originating
and distributing voice instructions, as well as alert and
evacuation signals pertaining to a fire emergency, to the occupants
of a building.
[F] EXPLOSION. An effect produced by the sudden violent
expansion of gases, that is accompanied by a shock wave or
disruption of enclosing materials or structures, or both.
[F] FIRE ALARM BOX, MANUAL. See “Manual Fire
Alarm Box.”
[F] FIRE ALARM CONTROL UNIT. A system component
that receives inputs from automatic and manual fire alarm
devices and is capable of supplying power to detection devices
and transponder(s) or off-premises transmitter(s). The control
unit is capable of providing a transfer of power to the notification
appliances and transfer of condition to relays or devices.
[F] FIRE ALARM SIGNAL. A signal initiated by a fire
alarm-initiating device such as a manual fire alarm box, automatic
fire detector, water flow switch, or other device whose
activation is indicative of the presence of a fire or fire signature.
[F] FIRE ALARM SYSTEM. A system or portion of a combination
system consisting of components and circuits
arranged to monitor and annunciate the status of fire alarm or
supervisory signal-initiating devices and to initiate the appropriate
response to those signals.
[F] FIRE COMMAND CENTER. The principal attended or
unattended location where the status of detection, alarm communications
and control systems is displayed, and from which
the system(s) can be manually controlled.
[F] FIRE DETECTOR, AUTOMATIC. A device designed
to detect the presence of a fire signature and to initiate action.
[F] FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM. Approved devices,
equipment and systems or combinations of systems used to
detect a fire, activate an alarm, extinguish or control a fire, control
or manage smoke and products of a fire or any combination
thereof.
[F] FIRE SAFETY FUNCTIONS. Building and fire control
functions that are intended to increase the level of life safety for
occupants or to control the spread of harmful effects of fire.
[F] FOAM-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM. A special system
discharging a foam made from concentrates, either mechanically
or chemically, over the area to be protected.
[F] HALOGENATED EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM. A
fire-extinguishing system using one or more atoms of an element
from the halogen chemical series: fluorine, chlorine, bromine
and iodine.
[F] INITIATING DEVICE. A system component that originates
transmission of a change-of-state condition, such as in a
smoke detector, manual fire alarm box or supervisory switch.
LISTED. Equipment, materials or services included in a list
published by an organization acceptable to the building official
and concerned with evaluation of products or services that
maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment
or materials or periodic evaluation of services and whose
listing states either that the equipment, material or service
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meets identified standards or has been tested and found suitable
for a specified purpose.
[F] MANUAL FIRE ALARM BOX. A manually operated
device used to initiate an alarm signal.
[F] MULTIPLE-STATION ALARM DEVICE. Two or
more single-station alarm devices that are capable of interconnection
such that actuation of one causes all integral or separate
audible alarms to operate. It also can consist of one single-station
alarm device having connections to other detectors or to a
manual fire alarm box.
[F]MULTIPLE-STATIONSMOKEALARM. Two or more
single-station alarm devices that are capable of interconnection
such that actuation of one causes all integral or separate audible
alarms to operate.
[F] NUISANCE ALARM. An alarm caused by mechanical
failure, malfunction, improper installation or lack of proper
maintenance, or an alarm activated by a cause that cannot be
determined.
[F] RECORD DRAWINGS. Drawings (“as builts”) that document
the location of all devices, appliances, wiring
sequences, wiring methods and connections of the components
of a fire alarm system as installed.
[F] SINGLE-STATION SMOKE ALARM. An assembly
incorporating the detector, the control equipment and the
alarm-sounding device in one unit, operated from a power supply
either in the unit or obtained at the point of installation.
[F] SMOKE ALARM. A single- or multiple-station alarm
responsive to smoke and not connected to a system.
[F] SMOKE DETECTOR. A listed device that senses visible
or invisible particles of combustion.
SMOKEPROOF ENCLOSURE. An exit stairway designed
and constructed so that the movement of the products of combustion
produced by a fire occurring in any part of the building
into the enclosure is limited.
[F] STANDPIPE SYSTEM, CLASSES OF. Standpipe
classes are as follows:
Class I system. A system providing 21/2-inch (64 mm) hose
connections to supply water for use by fire departments and
those trained in handling heavy fire streams.
Class II system. A system providing 11/2-inch (38 mm)
hose stations to supply water for use primarily by the building
occupants or by the fire department during initial
response.
Class III system. A system providing 11/2-inch (38 mm)
hose stations to supply water for use by building occupants
and 2.5-inch (64 mm) hose connections to supply a larger
volume of water for use by fire departments and those
trained in handling heavy fire streams.
[F] STANDPIPE,TYPESOF. Standpipe types are as follows:
Automatic dry. A dry standpipe system, normally filled
with pressurized air, that is arranged through the use of a
device, such as dry pipe valve, to admit water into the system
piping automatically upon the opening of a hose valve.
The water supply for an automatic dry standpipe system
shall be capable of supplying the system demand.
Automatic wet. A wet standpipe system that has a water
supply that is capable of supplying the system demand automatically.
Manual dry. A dry standpipe system that does not have a
permanent water supply attached to the system. Manual dry
standpipe systems require water from a fire department
pumper to be pumped into the system through the fire
department connection in order to meet the system demand.
Manual wet. A wet standpipe system connected to a water
supply for the purpose of maintaining water within the system
but does not have a water supply capable of delivering
the system demand attached to the system. Manual-wet
standpipe systems require water from a fire department
pumper (or the like) to be pumped into the system in order to
meet the system demand.
Semiautomatic dry. A dry standpipe system that is
arranged through the use of a device, such as a deluge valve,
to admit water into the system piping upon activation of a
remote control device located at a hose connection. A
remote control activation device shall be provided at each
hose connection. The water supply for a semiautomatic dry
standpipe system shall be capable of supplying the system
demand.
[F] SUPERVISING STATION. A facility that receives signals
and at which personnel are in attendance at all times to
respond to these signals.
[F] SUPERVISORY SERVICE. The service required to
monitor performance of guard tours and the operative condition
of fixed suppression systems or other systems for the protection
of life and property.
[F] SUPERVISORY SIGNAL. A signal indicating the need
of action in connection with the supervision of guard tours, the
fire suppression systems or equipment or the maintenance features
of related systems.
[F] SUPERVISORY SIGNAL-INITIATING DEVICE. An
initiation device, such as a valve supervisory switch,
water-level indicator or low-air pressure switch on a dry-pipe
sprinkler system, whose change of state signals an off-normal
condition and its restoration to normal of a fire protection or
life safety system, or a need for action in connection with guard
tours, fire suppression systems or equipment or maintenance
features of related systems.
[F] TIRES, BULKSTORAGEOF. Storage of tires where the
area available for storage exceeds 20,000 cubic feet (566m3).
[F] TROUBLE SIGNAL. A signal initiated by the fire alarm
system or device indicative of a fault in a monitored circuit or
component.
[F] VISIBLE ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE. A
notification appliance that alerts by the sense of sight.
[F] WET-CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM. A
solution of water and potassium-carbonate-based chemical,
potassium-acetate-based chemical or a combination thereof,
forming an extinguishing agent.
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[F] WIRELESS PROTECTION SYSTEM. A system or a
part of a system that can transmit and receive signals without
the aid of wire.
[F] ZONE. A defined area within the protected premises. A
zone can define an area from which a signal can be received, an
area to which a signal can be sent or an area in which a form of
control can be executed.