Industry Terminology Unravelled

A crucial safety measure integrated into a building to detect, control and/or extinguish fires, heat, and smoke within a specific area (compartment). Active Fire Protection systems require activation, whether automatic or manual. Examples include fire alarms, fire extinguishers, sprinklers, and gas suppression systems. Also abbreviated as AFP.

A piece of threaded metal, often with a square or hexagonal head, used to fix two unthreaded components together with the aid of a nut.

A blast test standard developed by the UK Home Office's CPNI (Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure) that models terrorist attacks using TNT explosions are varying quantities and proximities to achieve different overpressures.

Cold Rolled Channel – A C-shaped length of rolled metal, used to form a framework.

A fire curve that models the development of a fire that typically occurs in general residential or commercial buildings, fuelled primarily by contents materials such as plastics, wood, cotton or textiles, reaching 500°C in around 5 minutes up to 1100°C after approximately 180 minutes. In comparison to a hydrocarbon fire, a cellulosic fire has a slow, gradual and steady growth rate.

An L- or T-shaped piece of steel used to join 2 or more pieces together.

A material or structure made up of multiple layers and materials that are either mechanically or chemically bonded together.

Removable and re-usable without causing damage that require rectification works.

A system used to supply and remove passages of air in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). Also known as ductwork and ducting.

A 9.5mm thick composite panel of fibre reinforced cement core mechanically bonded to punched steel sheets on both outer surface.

A system used to prevent the spread of fire, and sometimes heat, from one area to an adjacent area.

A system used to prevent the spread of fire, and sometimes heat, from one compartment of a building to an adjacent compartment.

A projecting flat lip, ridge or rim on an object, either internal or external, used as a strengthening element and/or for connecting 2 objects together. Flanges are used to connect 2 sections of duct.

A system tested against a hydrocarbon fire curve that achieves 120 minutes fire integrity (fire separation) only.

A system tested against a hydrocarbon fire curve that achieves 120 minutes fire integrity (fire separation) and 120 minutes insulation.

A system tested against a hydrocarbon fire curve that achieves 120 minutes fire integrity (fire separation) and 60 minutes insulation.

A fire curve that models the development of a fire that typically occurs in high risk industrial areas, fuelled primarily by combustible liquids such as petroleum, chemicals or gas, reaching 1000°C in less than 5 minutes up to 1100°C shortly thereafter. In comparison to a cellulosic fire, a hydrocarbon fire has an extremely fast and steep growth rate. Hydrocarbon fire rated systems are classified using "H" notation - H0, H60 and H120.

One of the three key performance criteria in passive fire protection, used to measure how long building elements (typically walls, doors, ceilings, enclosures, and ducts) will limit the temperature rise on the non-fire side of the element to 140°C (mean surface temperature) in a fire situation. Abbreviated using the letter "I" followed by a number indicating minutes of integrity resistance, eg. I120 is denotes 120 minutes of fire insulation resistance.

A material used to control and limit the spread and transfer of heat.

One of the three key performance criteria in passive fire protection, used to measure how long building elements (typically walls, doors, ceilings, enclosures, and ducts) will stop fire and smoke physically passing from one side to the other. Abbreviated using the letter "E" followed by a number indicating minutes of integrity resistance, eg. E120 is denotes 120 minutes of fire integrity resistance.

A horizontal strut formed from CRC, used to give rigidity to a framework, fixed between studs to their increase strength and stiffness. Also called noggin.

A small flat piece of square or hexagonal metal with a threaded hole through which a bolt is screwed into in order to secure it into position.

A crucial, "always-on" safety measure integrated into a building's structure to contain fires, heat, and smoke within a specific area (compartment) for a set time. The performance of Passive Fire Protection systems are denoted using the terms Integrity, Stability and Insulation. Examples include fire doors, fire rated partitions, fire rated ceilings and fire curtains. Also abbreviated as PFP.

Any item/element that physically passes through a fire compartment.

The space between the concrete slab of a building and a secondary suspended ceiling or raised floor, that can facilitate air circulation as part of a HVAC system.

Substances used to block the passage of liquids, gases, heat and sound through joints, gaps or surfaces of materials.

One of the three key performance criteria in passive fire protection, used to measure how long building elements (typically walls, doors, ceilings, enclosures, and ducts) will remain structurally stable and not collapse in a fire situation. Abbreviated using the letter "R" followed by a number indicating minutes of stability resistance, eg. R120 is denotes 120 minutes of fire stability resistance.

A vertical strut formed from CRC, used to form a framework.

Self-tapping fasteners that have a drill bit end allowing them to be used for screwing materials together without pre-drilling. Also called self-drilling screws.