Glossary
Fire Protection Glossary — 109 Terms
Short definitions of sprinkler, pump, detection, gaseous suppression and maintenance terms, following NFPA, EN 12845 and FM Global terminology.
Glossary
What Is a Deluge System? The Logic of an Open-Head System
What a deluge system is, what an open head means, where it is used, what simultaneous operation of every head means for design, and the water supply...
Glossary
What Is a Pre-Action System? Single and Double Interlock Types
What a pre-action system is, the difference between single interlock, double interlock and non-interlock types, where it is used and what to watch in...
Glossary
What Is a Water Curtain? Separation or Cooling?
What a water curtain is, whether it replaces a fire compartment, its use in cooling glazed facades, design criteria and common mistakes.
Glossary
What Is Cold Soldering? The Reason Behind the 2 Metre Sprinkler Spacing Rule
What cold soldering is, why the neighbouring sprinkler fails to open, the EN 12845 2 m minimum spacing rule, the baffle solution and the exceptions.
Glossary
What Is Design Density? The Relationship Between mm/min and gpm/ft²
What design density is, why it is read together with the area of operation, converting mm/min to gpm/ft², values by hazard class and the area increase...
Glossary
What Is Flue Space? The Role of Rack Clearances in a Fire
What flue space is, the difference between longitudinal and transverse flues, the EN 12845 minimum dimensions, protecting them with pallet stops and...
Glossary
What Is NPSH? Preventing Cavitation in a Fire Pump
What NPSH is, the difference between NPSHa and NPSHr, the effect of water temperature, the 1 m margin rule, suction pipe design and the field symptoms...
Glossary
What Is RTI? The Measure of Sprinkler Thermal Sensitivity
What RTI is, its unit, the Standard A, Special and Quick classes, why quick response is mandatory for ESFR and why using QR in a warehouse is a mistake.
Glossary
What Is the Area of Operation? The Rectangle Rule and the 1.2 × root A Formula
What the area of operation is, why it must be rectangular, the 1.2 root A rule, how the hydraulically most remote position is found and how the...
Glossary
What Is the K-Factor? The Sprinkler Discharge Coefficient Explained
What the K-factor is, how it is calculated, the metric and imperial notation difference, selection by hazard class, tolerance and the most common unit...
Glossary
What Is Thermal Runaway? The Physics of a Lithium-Ion Battery Fire
What thermal runaway is, its triggers, cell-to-cell propagation, why cooling matters more than extinguishing, and the NFPA 855 approach.