ICC FCS flashcards

31 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Authority having jurisdiction

The organization or official responsible for approving equipment, installations, and procedures under the adopted fire code, including plan review, permits, inspections, and enforcement of corrective orders.

Certificate of occupancy

A document issued after final inspection confirming that a building complies with the code for its intended use; a change of use requires re-evaluation even without construction.

Shall versus should

In code language, 'shall' indicates a mandatory requirement, while 'should' indicates a recommendation or advisory provision that is not enforceable as a mandatory rule.

Stop-work order

An enforcement action halting construction or operations that lack a required permit or deviate from approved plans; it remains in effect until the authority confirms correction.

Listed versus approved

'Listed' means included in a published certification by an approved testing agency; 'approved' means accepted by the authority having jurisdiction as meeting the code.

Appeal of enforcement order

A written challenge to an authority decision filed with the board of appeals within the local time limit; filing alone does not stay the order unless a stay is granted.

Means of egress components

The continuous path from any point in a building to a public way, consisting of exit access, the exit itself, and the exit discharge, each with separate capacity rules.

Occupant load calculation

The number of occupants computed by dividing floor area by the occupant load factor for the use, or by counting fixed seats, used to size egress and other features.

Exit remoteness rule

Where two exits are required, they must be separated by at least one-half the diagonal of the area served, or a specified minimum distance, whichever is greater.

Dead-end corridor limit

A maximum permitted length of corridor with only one direction of travel, set by occupancy group; exceeding it requires an additional exit or approved alternative protection.

Fire drill frequency

The scheduled practice evacuation required in occupancies such as educational and assembly; the interval is set by code and records of each drill must be kept.

Hot work permit

Authorization for welding, cutting, or other ignition-source operations, requiring combustible clearance, a fire watch during and after work, and posting of the permit.

Smoke damper versus fire damper

A fire damper is heat-actuated and resists fire spread through rated assemblies; a smoke damper limits smoke movement and is controlled by detection or the alarm system.

Elevator Phase I recall

The automatic or manual recall of elevator cars to the designated level upon a fire alarm, after which the cars are removed from normal passenger service.

Elevator Phase II operation

Firefighter control of an elevator using a key switch inside the car, allowing manual operation after Phase I recall has returned the car to the designated level.

Plenum-rated cable

Cable listed for installation in air-handling plenums because its jacket limits smoke and flame spread, or cable installed within an approved raceway in the plenum.

Emergency power testing

Periodic testing of standby and emergency generators under load, with monthly functional checks and annual duration tests, documented for the authority having jurisdiction.

Exit illumination requirement

The minimum lighting intensity that must be maintained along the entire egress path, including stairs and discharge areas, with backup power for the specified duration.

Sprinkler hazard classification

Grouping of occupancies by fire severity, such as light, ordinary, and extra hazard, which sets the discharge density and design area used in hydraulic calculations.

Standpipe Class I

A standpipe system with 2.5-inch outlets intended for fire department use, designed to deliver the required flow and residual pressure at the topmost outlet.

Standpipe Class II

A standpipe system with 1.5-inch hose outlets intended for occupant use before fire department arrival, subject to its own pressure and flow criteria.

Fire pump churn test

A no-flow test of a fire pump recording pressure at zero flow, compared with the manufacturer's curve to confirm the pump is not overpressurizing the system.

Impairment procedure

The required steps when a fire protection system is out of service: notify the authority and occupants, provide a fire watch if required, then restore and test.

Extinguisher travel distance

The maximum distance a person must travel along the path to reach an extinguisher, measured along the route rather than in a straight line, and set by hazard class.

Main drain flow test

An acceptance and maintenance test measuring the water supply by flowing the main drain and comparing static and residual pressures with the expected system demand.

Maximum allowable quantity

The amount of a hazardous material permitted per control area without additional safeguards; exceeding it requires an approved storage arrangement or permit.

Control area concept

A bounded area used to limit hazardous material quantities; the number and fire-resistance rating of control areas depend on the floor level within the building.

NFPA 704 diamond

A placard using blue for health, red for flammability, yellow for instability, and white for special hazards, posted where emergency responders can see it.

Bonding and grounding

Connecting containers and equipment to equalize static potential and to earth before dispensing flammable liquids, preventing ignition by static discharge.

Flammable liquid class

A category defined by flash point and boiling point that determines storage limits, container sizes, and handling requirements for the liquid.

Confined space entry permit

Authorization required before entry, based on atmospheric testing for oxygen, flammable gas, and toxics, plus ventilation, an attendant, and a rescue plan.