Addressable - Answers Addressable Fire Alarm Systems can have a text location assigned to a
component on the system which
pinpoints exactly where that device is located. This is often achieved by numbering the device and
assigning a text location to
that device using a laptop with the control panel.
AFD - Answers Stands for Automatic Fire Detection (examples of this could be a smoke detector which
automatically detectors smoke in
the environment).
Analogue - Answers An analogue fire alarm device is capable of monitoring the analogue levels within
the unit. For example an
analogue smoke detector will be able to indicate how much smoke is in the chamber of the smoke
detector head. This is
particularly useful in false alarm management as a pre-alarm can be set up to indicate before the smoke
detector has enough
smoke in the head to activate the control panel into full alarm
Analogue Addressable Fire Alarm Systems - Answers Analogue Addressable Fire Alarm Systems are
wired using loop circuits
which can accomodate both detection equipment and alarm equipment. These systems are more
advanced that Conventional /
Non-addressable fire alarm systems as they provide can provide mush more information than the more
traditional conventional
systems.
, ARC - Answers Stands for Alarm Receiving Centre. These are central monitoring stations which are
constantly monitoring for signals
from fire alarm system for fire alarm activations. They will often automatically call out the fire brigade
once a fire alarm
activation has been received
Competent Person (CP) - Answers Fire Alarm Engineers are usually (but not exclusively) known as the
competent people for working
on fire alarm systems. The definition of a competent person is as follows - "a person with the necessary
training and
experience, and with access to the requisite tools, equipment and information, accepted by the relevant
authorities as capable of carrying out a defined task".
ASD - Answers Stands for Aspirating Smoke Detection. These systems are sometimes referred to as air
sampling systems. The
basically work by drawing air from an area usually through tubing of some sort and sample that air for
any signs of smoke.
These systems are particularly useful for areas which aren't easily accessed for maintenance
ATEX - Answers ATmospheres EXplosive
BAFE - Answers This is the acronym for the British Approvals for Fire Equipment
Beacons - Answers Beacons on fire alarm systems give a visual indication via a flashing lense that the fire
alarm system has been
activated. These units a most commonly used where ambient noise levels in an area are high and a
traditional fire alarm
sounder may not be heard. They are also used to comply with DDA requirements in a building.