Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 780 CMR - STATE BOARD OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection Systems › Section 902 - DEFINITIONS › Subsection 902.1 - Definitions

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
The following words and terms shall, for the purposes of
				  this chapter, and as used elsewhere in this code, have the meanings shown
				  herein.
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]
AUDIBLE ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE.
A
				  notification appliance that alerts by the sense of hearing. [F]
AUTOMATIC.
As applied to fire protection
				  devices, 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 SMOKE DETECTION SYSTEM.
A fire alarm
				  system that has initiation devices that utilize smoke detectors for protection
				  of an area such as a room or space with detectors to provide early warning of
				  fire. [F]
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM.
An automatic
				  sprinkler 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]
AVERAGE AMBIENT SOUND LEVEL.
The root mean
				  square, A-weighted sound pressure level measured over a 24-hour period, or the
				  time any person is present, whichever time period is less. [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 a water 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- either abnormally high temperature or rate of rise, or both. [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]
ELEVATOR GROUP.
A grouping of elevators in a
				  building located adjacent or directly across from one another that responds to
				  a common hall call button(s). [F]
EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEM.
A system 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]
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 may be capable
				  of supplying power to detection devices and transponder(s) or off-premises
				  transmitter(s). The control unit may be 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, waterflow 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 AREA.
The aggregate floor area enclosed and
				  bounded by fire walls,
fire barriers
,
exterior
				  walls
or
horizontal assemblies
of a building. Areas
				  of the building not provided with surrounding walls shall be included in the
				  fire area if such areas are included within the horizontal projection of the
				  roof or floor next above. [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. [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-STATION SMOKE ALARM.
Two or more
				  single-station alarm devices that are capable of interconnection such that
				  actuation of one causes the appropriate alarm signal to operate in all
				  interconnected alarms. [F]
NOTIFICATION ZONE.
See "Zone, notification."
				  [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. [F]
SMOKE DETECTOR.
A
listed
device
				  that senses visible or invisible particles of combustion. [F]
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.
STANDPIPE SYSTEM, CLASSES OF.
Standpipe classes
				  are as follows: [F]
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
				  21/2-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.
STANDPIPE, TYPES OF.
Standpipe types are as
				  follows: [F]
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.
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, BULK STORAGE OF.
Storage of tires where
				  the area available for storage exceeds 20,000 cubic feet (566
				  m3). [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. [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. [F]
ZONE, NOTIFICATION.
An area within a building or
				  facility covered by notification appliances which are activated simultaneously.
				  [F]