Glossary
The acronyms decoded.
- AHJ
- Authority Having Jurisdiction. The entity enforcing fire code at your building — usually the local fire marshal.
- BDA
- Bi-Directional Amplifier. The radio amplifier in an ERCES system that boosts first-responder signal inside a building.
- DAS
- Distributed Antenna System. The antenna network a BDA feeds.
- ERCES
- Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System. The whole BDA + DAS package required under IFC §510 / NFPA 1225.
- FACU
- Fire Alarm Control Unit. The panel.
- FDC
- Fire Department Connection. The Siamese-fitting outside the building where the fire department pumps water into the sprinkler or standpipe system.
- FCC GROL
- Federal Communications Commission General Radiotelephone Operator License. Required to commission ERCES systems.
- IBC
- International Building Code. Governs construction; the "building code" side of the IFC.
- IDC
- Initiating Device Circuit. A conventional fire-alarm circuit running initiating devices (pull stations, smoke detectors) back to the panel.
- IFC
- International Fire Code. Adopted in Texas under Local Government Code §233.
- ITM
- Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance. The recurring work the code requires you do on your installed systems.
- NAC
- Notification Appliance Circuit. The fire-alarm circuit running the horns / strobes / speakers.
- NFPA
- National Fire Protection Association. The standards-development organization.
- NICET
- National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies. The credentialing body whose Level I–IV ladder is the standard for fire-protection technicians.
- OS&Y
- Outside Stem and Yoke. A type of indicating valve used on sprinkler systems; the stem visibly extends when the valve is open.
- PIV
- Post Indicator Valve. A wrench-operated valve in a pipe-protection housing for outdoor underground sprinkler control.
- PRV
- Pressure Reducing Valve. Used in standpipe systems to reduce pressure at hose connections.
- RPZ
- Reduced Pressure Zone backflow preventer. The most stringent backflow assembly type; protects potable water from contamination.
- RME
- Responsible Managing Employee. The licensed individual at a Texas SFM-registered fire-protection contractor responsible for the work performed.
- SCBA
- Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. What firefighters wear.
- SFMO
- State Fire Marshal's Office. Within the Texas Department of Insurance.
- SLC
- Signaling Line Circuit. The addressable circuit that connects modern smart fire-alarm devices to the panel.
- TAC
- Texas Administrative Code. The published body of Texas state agency rules.
- TCO
- Temporary Certificate of Occupancy. The interim AHJ sign-off allowing partial occupancy before final CO.
- UL
- Underwriters Laboratories. The product safety certification body for most fire-protection equipment.
- VESDA
- Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus. An aspirating smoke detection system used in data centers and clean rooms.