Kazakhstan Fire-Technical Minimum (PTM) key terms

The body of laws and subordinate acts, chiefly the Law on Fire Safety and the Fire Safety Rules, that set binding duties for citizens, employers and state bodies. Compliance is enforced by state fire control authorities.

Supervision carried out by authorised emergency-situations authorities to check compliance with fire safety requirements, issue prescriptions, and apply administrative measures. Inspections may be scheduled or unscheduled, with results recorded in an inspection act.

A document in which an owner or operator assesses fire risk at a facility and confirms compliance with fire safety requirements. It is submitted to the supervisory authority for certain categories of buildings and production objects.

A minimum set of fire safety knowledge that managers, specialists and workers in fire-relevant roles must study and pass by examination. Training is repeated at intervals set by the rules and recorded in the organisation.

The set of rules of behaviour, order and conditions established at a facility to prevent fires and limit their consequences. It includes smoking bans, hot-work permits, evacuation rules and duties of responsible persons.

A local document approved by the employer that sets out fire safety requirements for a specific building, workshop or process, including duties of staff and actions on discovering a fire. Personnel are made familiar with it against signature.

A short instruction session that familiarises workers with fire safety rules, evacuation routes and alarm procedures at their workplace. It may be introductory, primary, repeated, unscheduled or targeted, and is recorded in a log.

The combination of properties that determines how readily a substance ignites, burns, explodes or releases toxic products under given conditions. It is expressed through flash point, ignition temperature and concentration limits.

The lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off vapour in sufficient quantity to form an ignitable mixture with air near its surface. It is measured in a closed or open cup and classifies liquids by fire hazard.

The lowest temperature at which a substance ignites spontaneously in air without an external ignition source, given the test conditions. It matters for hot surfaces, dryers, insulation and process equipment design.

The minimum concentration of combustible vapour, gas or dust in air below which the mixture cannot propagate a flame. Concentrations below the LFL are too lean to burn, which is why ventilation and gas monitoring are used.

The maximum concentration of combustible vapour, gas or dust in air above which the mixture cannot propagate a flame. Concentrations above the UFL are too rich to burn until diluted with air.

A mixture of air with flammable gas, vapour, mist or dust in which, after ignition, combustion spreads through the whole unburnt mixture. Zones are classified by how often and how long such an atmosphere is expected to occur.

Self-heating of a material that leads to fire without any external ignition source, caused by slow oxidation or biological activity and poor heat removal. Common examples are oily rags, coal stockpiles and damp hay.

The total quantity of heat that combustible materials in a space can release when burned, usually expressed per unit floor area. It drives the required fire resistance of structures and the design of extinguishing systems.

A classification of a building element by the time in minutes during which it retains load-bearing capacity, integrity or thermal insulation under standard fire test conditions. It is denoted by letters and numbers such as REI 60.

A part of a building separated from other parts by fire walls and fire-resistant floors so that a fire is kept inside for a specified time. It limits fire and smoke spread and gives occupants time to evacuate.

A doorway or opening that leads out of a building or into a safe zone and meets required width, height and door-opening rules. Exits must stay unobstructed and open freely in the direction of escape where required.

The continuous path from any point in a building to an evacuation exit, through corridors, stairwells and vestibules. Its length, width and finishes are regulated, and it must be kept free of stored goods.

A posted schematic drawing showing exits, evacuation routes, fire alarm call points and fire-fighting equipment for a floor or building. Staff must know its content, and it is reinforced during fire safety briefings.

An installation of detectors, call points, control equipment and sounders that detects a fire and warns occupants or transmits a signal to a monitoring station. It must be maintained and tested on a set schedule.

A fixed installation that detects fire and discharges water, foam, gas or powder without human intervention. It requires regular inspection, and its valves must be kept open and its protected area kept clear.

A water-based automatic system in which individual heads open at a set temperature and spray water over the fire area. It is supplied from a dedicated water source and needs periodic flow and pressure checks.

The network of hydrants, risers, pumps and reservoirs that provides water at the required pressure and flow for firefighting. Hydrants must be accessible, marked and checked for serviceability.

A valved connection point on a fire water main, indoors or outdoors, where fire hoses or a fire engine pump draw water. It must be kept clear, marked and fitted with a serviceable hose and nozzle.

A fixed reel holding a connected hose and nozzle, usually mounted in a cabinet on an internal fire water riser. The hose must be unrolled, dried and inspected so it is ready for immediate use.

Hand-held and mobile means for attacking a small fire at its start, such as extinguishers, sand boxes, water containers and fire blankets. Their number and type depend on the fire hazard class of the area.

A portable or mobile device that discharges an extinguishing agent by stored pressure or gas cartridge. It must be selected by fire class, kept charged, tagged after inspection and located on marked stands.

A letter classification of fires by the type of burning material, such as solids, flammable liquids, gases, metals and electrical equipment. It determines which extinguishing agent is safe and effective.

A written authorisation issued before welding, cutting, grinding or other spark-producing work, stating precautions, time limits and the person responsible for supervision. The area is cleared and checked again after work ends.

A person or patrol assigned to keep a location under continuous observation for fire during or after hazardous work, and to raise the alarm and use first-aid equipment if fire appears. It lasts a set time after work finishes.

Reporting a fire to the emergency service by the single number, giving the address, what is burning and whether people are trapped, then acting on the dispatcher's instructions. The call is made first, before attempting to fight the fire.

Sending a designated person to the entrance or agreed meeting point to guide arriving units to the fire, hydrants and access routes, and to report the situation and location of people. It saves time lost searching for the seat of fire.

The organised movement of people out of a building or danger zone to a safe assembly area by the shortest safe routes, without panic and without using lifts. Roll calls confirm that everyone has left.

Items worn to protect against heat, smoke, toxic combustion products and mechanical hazards, such as breathing apparatus, helmets, gloves and heat-resistant clothing. It must be fit for purpose, checked and stored correctly.

A respiratory device that supplies air from a carried cylinder, independent of the surrounding atmosphere. It is used in smoke-filled or toxic environments where filtering respirators cannot protect the wearer.

Moving a casualty to fresh air, calling emergency medical help, and giving oxygen or CPR if trained while keeping the airway clear. Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur without visible smoke or obvious warning signs.