SCO Fire flashcards
SCO Fire · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Fire tetrahedron
- Model of combustion requiring fuel, oxidizer, heat, and an uninhibited chemical chain reaction; removing any one component stops the fire.
- Lower flammable limit
- The minimum fuel concentration in air that will support combustion; below this limit the mixture is too lean to ignite.
- Flash point
- The lowest temperature at which a liquid releases enough vapor to form an ignitable mixture near its surface, though burning may not continue.
- Class D fire
- A fire involving combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, or sodium; requires a special dry powder agent, not water.
- Flashover
- The transition from growth to fully developed fire, when radiant heat ignites all combustible surfaces in the compartment nearly simultaneously.
- Autoignition temperature
- The temperature at which a material ignites spontaneously without an external pilot source; it is above the flash point for liquids.
- Photoelectric detector
- A smoke detector that senses light scattered by smoke particles; it responds faster to smoldering fires producing larger particles.
- Ionization detector
- A smoke detector that senses current change when smoke enters its ionization chamber; it responds faster to flaming fires with small particles.
- Addressable alarm system
- A system in which each initiating and notification device has a unique address, allowing annunciation of the specific device in alarm.
- Supervisory signal
- A signal indicating an off-normal condition that impairs protection, such as a closed control valve or loss of supervision.
- Trouble signal
- A signal indicating a fault in the system itself, such as an open circuit, ground fault, or low battery, distinct from alarm.
- Notification appliance circuit
- The circuit that powers audible and visible signaling devices; it is designed to meet code requirements for audibility and visibility.
- Wet chemical agent
- A potassium-based extinguishing agent that saponifies cooking oils and is standard for Class K kitchen hood suppression systems.
- Clean agent
- A gaseous extinguishing agent such as FM-200 or an inert gas that suppresses fire with minimal residue and no electrical conductivity.
- Wet-pipe sprinkler system
- A sprinkler system with water under pressure in the piping at all times; it discharges immediately when a sprinkler activates.
- Dry-pipe sprinkler system
- A sprinkler system holding pressurized air in the piping; the air escapes first, then water flows, allowing use in freezing environments.
- Sprinkler discharge density
- The water flow rate per unit area (gpm/ft²) applied over the design area; a primary hydraulic design parameter for sprinkler systems.
- Class K extinguisher
- An extinguisher using wet chemical agent for fires involving cooking oils and fats in commercial cooking equipment.
- Means of egress
- A continuous, unobstructed path of travel from any point in a building to the public way, comprising exit access, exit, and exit discharge.
- Occupant load
- The number of persons for which a space is designed, calculated from floor area divided by the occupant load factor for the use.
- Travel distance
- The measured distance from the most remote point in a space to the nearest exit, limited by occupancy and sprinkler protection.
- Dead-end corridor
- A corridor segment with only one direction of travel to an exit; length is limited by code to prevent occupants being trapped.
- Area of refuge
- A protected space in a building where occupants who cannot use stairs can wait safely for assistance during evacuation.
- NFPA 13
- The standard for the installation of sprinkler systems, covering design, hydraulic calculation, spacing, and acceptance testing requirements.
- Hot work permit
- A document authorizing welding, cutting, or grinding after verifying fire precautions, including a fire watch during and after the work.
- ITM interval
- The required frequency for inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire protection systems, set by the applicable NFPA standard.
- Occupancy classification
- The category assigned to a building or space based on its use, which determines construction type, height, area, and fire protection requirements.
- Impairment procedure
- The process of notifying the authority and occupants, posting signage, and providing interim measures when fire protection is out of service.
- Incident Command System
- A standardized organizational structure for emergency response with command, operations, planning, logistics, and finance/administration functions.
- PASS technique
- The extinguisher procedure: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side.
- RACE sequence
- The emergency action sequence: Rescue, Alarm, Confine, and Extinguish or Evacuate, prioritizing occupant safety before firefighting.
- Pre-incident plan
- A document prepared before an emergency that identifies access, hydrants, utilities, hazards, and occupancy details for responders.