Fire suppression is always evolving and highly technical. Even specialist engineers are still learning. Make things clearer with our sprinkler glossary.
Why read the Sprinkler Glossary?
Sprinkler systems are cropping up more often and on smaller developments across the UK. This can cause a lot of teething pains for residential developers, particularly those with a residential who may have never needed the systems before. It doesn’t help that the industry is (rightly) highly regulated and heavily technical. Even specialist mechanical service engineers often find themselves outsourcing the sprinkler installations to sprinkler specialists.
Our sprinkler glossary is designed to detail the some of the terms that you’re likely to come across as you learn the language used in the field.
Whether you’re looking at installing your first system, or simply refreshing your understanding, understanding sprinkler terms doesn’t have to be intimidating. Included below is a list of the key terms, phrases, names, and acronyms that you’re likely to find along your journey. If something isn’t here, please sign up to our newsletter (see the footer of each page) to be updated as new terms are added, or contact us for more.
You can also head over to our Sprinkler Academy for Developers and Regulators for more free resources and CPD.
Table of Contents
Sprinkler Glossary: Fire suppression system components, elements, and characteristics
We can’t have a sprinkler glossary without including some definitions on what makes up the systems, can we?
As the post develops, more categories will be introduced.
| Jargon | Also known as | Translation |
| AHJ | Authority Having Jurisdiction | The AHJ varies from project to project. Generally, this will be the Building Control Officer (BCO) or the insurer. It can sometimes include other and multiple organisations. |
| Alarm test valve | ICV, Isolation Control Valve, Alarm Valve, Sprinkler Valve, System Control Valve, Alarm Assembly Valve | This is the valve which activates the system. Typical types may be wet, dry, deluge, or pre-action. |
| Area of Operation | AMAO (Assumed Maximum Area of Operation) | A theoretical area which is used for calculations. The shape of this should be confirmed by a specialist. Speak to us if you need this confirming. This is the maximum area over which it is assumed that sprinklers will operate. |
| Arm pipe | Range pipe | A pipe, feeding a single sprinkler, other than a distribution pipe, which is less the 0.3m long. |
| Baffle plate | Water shield, splash guard | Placing sprinklers within wetting distance is sometimes unavoidable, for example: within racking. In these cases, baffle plates should be used. |
| Barrier pipe | MDPE pipe, medium density polyethylene | Barrier pipe is used for sprinkler pipes which need to be fed underground in an area which may contaminate the water. According to Easy Merchant, barrier pipe is “a strong type of water pipe that is often used in the place of MDPE pipes in areas of contaminated soil”. Barrier pipe is better able to keep the contaminants out of the water supply. |
| Booster pump | Booster pumps are used to increase the pressure of the water supply. They cannot be used to increase the flow. Boosters should only be used when sufficient flow is available. Otherwise, a standard pump and tank arrangement is required. | |
| Commercial | Commercial applications are typically those areas which require protection under BS EN 12845. However, the term can often be used more colloquially and refer to any area which requires commercial protection. Notably, some areas (such as bin stores) are residential but require commercial protection, whether under BS 9251 or otherwise. | |
| Commissioning | A system is not considered commissioned until it is fully tested and recorded, following the requirements of the sprinkler standards. | |
| Compressor | Used to charge the system with air, as required by various applications. | |
| Confirmed signal | Sprinkler alarms should be considered a confirmed signal. This means that they should be treated as though they can only be triggered by a fire and not by accident. | |
| Coupling | Pipe couplings can be used in some instances to connect the pipes without the need for welding etc. Contact us if you are unsure of the requirements. | |
| Cover plate | Cover plates are provided as part of a concealed head installation. They are discreet, yet visible enough to allow for cost effective servicing. It should be noted that cover plates are not suitable for all applications, please contact us if you are unsure of your requirements. | |
| CPVC | CPVC differs from conventional PVC, mostly in its heat resistant properties. Only CPVC, and not PVC, is approved for use as sprinkler pipe. Importantly, CPVC also requires specific adhesives to prevent corrosion. Contact us if you would like us to provide competent fitters. |
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