Definition of Terms

1. Abatement – Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard.

2. Administrator – Any person who acts as agent of the owner and manages the use of a building for
him.

3. Air craft service station - That portion of an airport where flammable liquids are stored or
dispensed and shall include all facilities essential thereto such as underground tanks from which
aircraft fuel and lubricants maybe drawn through dispensing device.

4. Alligatoring or Alligator Pattern - A burned patternn usually on woods resembling the skin
marking of an alligator, often used to trace the fire to its origin.

5. Assembly Occupancy - The occupancy or use of a building or structure or any portion thereof by a
group of person for civic, political education travel, religious, social, amusement or recreational
purposes.

6. Atoms - The smallest particles of elements that take part in a chemical reaction.

7. Automatic Fire Suppression System – An integrated system of underground or overhead piping or

both connected to a source of extinguishing agent or medium and design in accordance with fire
protection engineering standards which when actuated by its automatic detecting device, suppresses
fire within the area protected.

8. Blasting Agent – Any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and oxidizer used to set off explosives.

9. Boiling Point - The temperature at which a liquid is transformed or converted to vapor.

10. Cargo Tank - Any container mounted on a tank vehicle with a capacity of at least four hundred fifty
(450) liters used for carrying flammable or combustible liquids. It does not apply to the fuel tank of a
motor vehicle.

11. Cellulose Nitrate or Nitro Cellulose – A highly combustible and explosive compound produced by
the reaction of nitric acid with a cellulose material.

12. Cellulose Nitrate Plastic (Pyroxylin) – Any plastic substance, materials or compound having
cellulose nitrate (nitro cellulose) as base.

13. Chief of the Local Fire Service - The official duly designated to head the local fire service; or in
cities/ municipalities where the policemen are also performing the functions of the Fire service, the
station commander of the Integrated National Police.

14. Class A fire - Fire involving ordinary combustible materials such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber and
plastics.

15. Class B fire – Fire inflammable liquids and gases.

16. Class C fire – Fire involving energized electrical equipment.

17. Class D fire – Fire involving combustible metals, such as magnesium, sodium, potassium, and other
similar materials.
18. Combination Standpipe – Pipe line system filled with water connected to a constant water supply
for the use of the Fire Service and the occupants of the buildings solely for the suppression
purposes.

19. Combustible Fiber Loose House – An enclosed and isolated structure where loose fibers are
worked upon, and used as storage for such fibers.

20. Combustible Fiber – Any readily ignitable and free burning fiber such as cotton, oakum, rags, waste
cloth, waste paper, kapok, hay, straw, Spanish moss, excelsior and other similar materials commonly
used in commerce.

21. Combustible, Flammable or Inflammable – Descriptive of materials that are easily set on fire.

22. Combustible Liquid – Any liquid having a flash point at or above 37.8oC (100oF).

23. Combustion - The burning of any substance, is a process that evolves light and heat.

24. Corrosive Liquid – Any liquid which causes fire when in contract with organic matter or with certain
chemicals.

25. Crazing of Glass - Formation of irregular cracks in glass due to rapid intense heat - possibly when
accelerant is used.

26. Cryogenic – Descriptive of any material which by its nature or as a result of its reaction with other
elements produces a rapid drop in temperature of the immediate surroundings.

27. Curtain Board – A vertical panel of non-combustible or fire resistive materials attached to and
extending below the bottom chord of the roof trusses, to divide the underside of the roof into
separate compartments so that heat and smoke will be directed upwards to a roof vent.

28. Damper – A normally open device installed inside an air duct system which automatically closes to
restrict the passage of smoke or fire.

29. Depth of Char - Depth of burning wood used to determine length of burn thereby locating the point
of origin of fire.

30. Dip Tank – a tank, vat or container of flammable or combustible liquid in which articles or materials
are immersed for the purposed of coating, finishing, treating or similar processes.

31. Distillation – The process of first raising the temperature to separate the more volatile from the less
volatile parts and then cooling and condensing the result vapor so as to produce a nearly purified
substance.

32. Dry Standpipe – A type of standpipe system in which the pipe are normally not filled with water.
Water is introduced into the system thru fire Service connection when needed.

33. Duct System - A continuous passageway for the transmission of air.

34. Dust – A finely powdered substance which, when mixed with air in the proper proportion and ignited
will cause an explosion.
35. Electrical Arc – An extremely hot luminous bridge formed by the passage of an electric current
across a space between two conductors or terminals due to the incandescence of the conducting
vapor.

36. Ember – A hot piece of lump that remains after a material has partially burned, and is still oxidizing
without the manifestation of flames.

37. Endothermic Reaction - Changes whereby energy is absorbed or is added before the reaction
takes place.

38. Exothermic Reaction - Those that release or give off energy (heat) thus they produce substances
with less energy than the reactants.

39. Explosive – Includes any chemical compound or mechanical mixture, that is commonly used or
intended for the purpose of producing an explosion.

40. Explosive Magazine – building, Structures or facilities used for the storage of explosive shells,
projectile and ammunition.

41. Finishes – Materials used as final coasting of a surface for ornamental or protective purposes.

42. Fire – The active principle of burning, characterized by the heat and light of combustion.

43. Fire Alarm – Any visual or audible signal produce by a device or system to warm the occupants of
the building or fire fighting elements of the presence or danger of fire to enable them to undertake
immediate action to save file and property and to suppress the fire.

44. Fire Alerting System – A fire alarm system activated by the presence of a fire, where the signal is
transmitted to designated location instead of sounding a general alarm, in order to prevent panic.

45. Fire Door – A fire resistive door prescribed for openings in fire separation walls or portions.

46. Fire Engine - A heavy motor truck equipped with fire fighting apparatus, especially power driven
pumps for throwing water and chemical under high pressure, a.k.a. FIRE TRUCK.

47. Fire Exit Drill – A practice drill for the orderly and safe evacuation of occupants in a building.

48. Fire Hazard – Any condition or act which increases or may cause an increase in the probability of
the occurrence of fire, or which may obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere with fire fighting operations
and the safeguarding of life and property.

49. Fire Hydrant or Fire Plug - An upright pipe with a spout or nozzle in the street for drawing from a
water main source especially for fighting fire.

50. Fire Inspector/Fire Safety Inspector/ or Fire Prevention Inspector – Personnel of the Fire Service
of the INP performing Fire safety and fire prevention functions.

51. Fire Lane – The portion of a roadway or public-way that should be kept opened and unobstructed at
all times for the expedient operations of fire fighting units.

52. Fire Protective Assembly - An assembly incorporated in a structure designed to prevent the spread
of fire, such as dampers, curtain boards, fire stoppers, etc..
53. Fire Protective and Fire Safety Device – Any device intended for the protection of buildings or
persons to include but not limited to built-in protection system such as sprinklers and other automatic
extinguishing system, detectors for heat, smoke and combustion products and other warning system
components, personal protective equipment such as fire blankets, helmets, fire suits, gloves and
other garments that may be put on or worn by persons to protect themselves during fire.

54. Fire Resistance Rating - Th time durationn that a material or construction can withstand the effect
of hundred fire test.

55. Fire Safety Construction – Refers to design and installation of walls, barriers, doors, windows,
vents, means of egress etc. integral to and incorporated into a building or structure in order to
minimize danger to life from fire, smoke, fumes or panic before the building is evacuated. These
features are also designed to achieved, among others, safe and rapid evacuation of people through
means of egress sealed from smoke or fire, the confinement of fire of the building by means of
smoke-sealed and fire resistant doors, walls and floors. It shall also means to include the treatment
of building components or contents with flame retardant chemicals.

56. Fire Service – An organization or a component of integrated National Police charged with the
mission of fire protection, fire protection and fire conditions.

57. Fire Trap – A building unsafe in case of fire because it will burn easily or because it lacks adequate
exits or fire escapes.

58. Fire Wall – a wall designed to prevent the spread of fire, having a fire resistance rating of not less
than four hours with sufficient structural stability to remain standing even if construction on either side
collapses under fire condition.

59. Flame Retardant – Any compound, or mixture which when applied properly improves the fire
resistant quality of fabrics and other materials.

60. Flame Spread Rating – The time in which flame will spread over the surface of a burning material.

61. Flash Point – The minimum temperature at which any materials gives off vapor in sufficient
concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air.

62. Forging – A process where a piece of metal is heated prior to changing its shape or dimensions.

63. Fulminate – A kind of stable explosive compound, which explodes by percussion.

64. Fumigant – A gas, fume, or vapor used for the destruction or control of insects, fungi, vermin,
germs, rodents, or other pets.

65. Hazardous Fire Area – Any land covered with dry grass, cogon, reeds, brush, and other highly
combustible growth that fires are likely to occur therein and hard to suppress.

66. Hazardous Operation/Process – Any act of manufacturing, fabrication, conversion, etc., that uses
or produces materials which are likely to cause fires or explosions.

67. High Rise Building – Buildings, structures or facilities fifteen (15) meter or more in height.

68. Horizontal Channel – Any uninterrupted space between horizontal layers of stored commodities.
Such channel may be formed by pallets, shelving, racks or other storage arrangements.
69. Horizontal Exit – Passageway from one building to another or through or around a wall in
approximately the same floor level.

70. Hose Box – A box or cabinet where fire hoses, valves and other equipment are stored and arranged
for fire fighting.

71. Hose Reel – A cylindrical device turning on an axis around which a fire hose is wound and
connected.

72. Hydrocarbon - Any substance containing primarily carbon and hydrogen.

73. Hypergolic Fuel – A rocket or liquid propellant, which consists of combinations of fuels and oxidizers
which ignite spontaneously on contact with each other.

74. Industrial Baking and Drying – The industrial process of subjecting materials to heat for the
purpose of removing solvents or moisture from the same, and/or to fuse certain chemical salts to
from a uniform glazing on the surface of materials being treated.

75. Jumper – A piece of metal or an electrical conductor used to bypass a safety device in an electrical
system.

76. Line of Demarcation or Demarcation Line - The line between the charred and uncharred portion of
a burned material.

77. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) – any flammable gas liquefied through pressure. The liquid
vaporized under normal atmospheric pressure.

78. Means of Egress – A continuous and unobstructed route of exit from any point in a building,
structure or facility to a public way.

79. Occupancy – The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is used or intended to be used.

80. Occupant – Any person actually occupying and using a building or portions thereof by virtue of a
lease contract with the owner or administrator or by permission or sufferance of the latter.

81. Occupant Load – The maximum number of persons that may be allowed to occupy a particular
building, structure or facility or portions thereof.

82. Oil Burning Equipment – An oil burner of any type together with its tank, piping, wiring controls,
blower and related devices, and shall include all oil fired units, heating and cooking appliances.

83. Organic Coating – A liquid mixture of binders such as alkyd, nitrocellulose, acrylic, or oil, and
flammable and combustible solvents such as hydrocarbon, ester, ketone or alcohol, which when
spread on a surface becomes a durable protective and decorative finish.

84. Organic Peroxide – A strong oxidizing organic compound which releases oxygen readily. It causes
fire when in contact with combustible materials especially under conditions of high temperature.

85. Overloading – The use of one or more electrical appliances or devices which draw or consume
electrical current beyond the designed capacity of the existing electrical system.

86. Owner – The person who holds the legal rights of possession or title to a building or real property.
87. Oxidation - The act of uniting or of causing a substance to unite with oxygen.

88. Oxidizing Agent - The substance that acquires electrons during an oxidation-reduction reaction. In
the course of the reaction, the oxidizing agent is reduced.

89. Oxidizing Material – A material that readily yields oxygen in quantities sufficient to stimulate or
support combustion.

90. Panic Hardware – A mechanical device consisting of linkages and a horizontal bar across a door,
which when pushed from the inside will cause the door to open and facilitate exit from a building,
structure or facility.

91. Packing Rooms – Rooms where baled, bundled or piled materials are segregated into desires sizes
or groups.

92. Plenum – An air compartment or chamber to which one or more ducts are connected and which
form part of an air distribution system.

93. Point to Point Search - A method of searching victims by first attending or saving the first person
then proceeding to save the next victim.

94. Pressurized or Forced Draft Burning Equipment – Type of burner where the fuel is subjected to
pressure prior to discharge into the combustion chamber and/or which includes fans or other
provisions for the introduction of air at above normal atmospheric pressure into the same combustion
chamber.

95. Public Assembly Building – Any building or structure where fifty (50) or more people congregate,
gather, or assemble for any purpose.

96. Public Way – Any street, alley or other strip of land unobstructed from the ground to the sky,
deeded, dedicated or otherwise permanently appropriated for public use.

97. Pyrophoric – Descriptive of any substance that ignites spontaneously when exposed to air.

98. Refining – A process where impurities and/or deleterious materials are removed from a mixture in
order to produce a pure element or compound. It shall also refer to partial distillation and electrolysis.

99. Self-Closing Doors – Automatic closing doors that are designed to confine smoke and heat and
delay the spread of fire.

100. Smelting – Melting or fusing of metallic ores or compounds so as to separate impurities from
pure materials.

101. Smoke Developed Rating – A rating of a combustible materials based on the density and
volume of smoke developed within a certain period of time when its surface is ignited.

102. Smoking – Puffing, carrying and/or use of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette or tobacco in any form.

103. Specific Gravity - The ratio of the weight of a solid or liquid substance to the weight of an equal
volume of water.
104. Spontaneous Combustion - The ignition of combustible substance without the applicationof
flame or spark due to continuing oxidation until enough heat accumulates in a confined space and
ignition temperature is released.

105. Spraying Area – Any area in which dangerous quantities of flammable vapor or combustible
residues, dust or deposits are present due to the operation of spraying devices.

106. Sprinkler System – An integrated network of hydraulically designed piping installed in a building,
structure or area with outlets arranged in a systematic pattern which automatically discharges water
when activated by heat or combustion products from a fire.

107. Standpipe System – A system of vertical pipes in a building to which fire hoses can be attached
on each floor, including a system by which water is made available to the outlets as needed.

108. Tampering - The act of bringing about an improper situation or condition by clandestine means,
such as illegally wiring an electrical matter to steal electricity.

109. Tank Vehicle – Any vehicle carrying or towing a cargo tank used for transporting flammable
fluids or hazardous chemicals.

110. Technology - The branch of knowledge that deals with industrial arts and sciences; the science
of technical process.

111. Triage - The act of separating rescued victims to facilitate uniform medical assistance.

112. Vapor Density - The weight of the volume of pure gas composed to the weight of a volume of dry
air on the same temperature and pressure.

113. Vapor Pressure - When liquid is heated in a liquid container, the molecules in a liquid state
escape to form gaseous molecules. The gas molecules strike one another as well as the walls of the
container and may return to the liquid state; the force exerted by the molecules on the surface of the
liquid at equilibrium.

114. Vestibule – A passage hall or antechamber between the outer doors and the interior parts of a
house or building.

115. Vertical Shaft – An enclosed vertical space of passage that extends from floor to floor, as well as
from the base to the top of the building.