Jargon Buster
Welcome to our UltraFire Jargon Buster, a simple, no-nonsense guide to help you understand the terms and phrases you might come across when learning when researching fire safety products. Whether you’re a workplace safety officer, trade professional or home owner, seeking to make an informed purchase, this glossary is here to take the confusion out of technical talk.
What is ABC Dry Powder?
ABC Dry Powder is a fire extinguisher agent which is suitable for use on class A, class B and class C fires. It is also suitable for electrical fires.
What is AFFF Foam?
AFFF Foam is a water based fire extinguisher agent which is suitable for use on class A and class B fires.
What are Alkaline Batteries?
Alkaline batteries use an alkaline electrolyte instead of the normal acidic ammonium chloride or zinc chloride electrolytes usually found in zinc-carbon batteries. They generally have a higher energy density and longer shelf life.
What are the Different Alarm Grades (BS 5839 Part 6)?
Description of different alarm types
| Power Type | BS 5839-6: 2013 Grade | BS 5839-6: 2019 Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Operated (Alkaline) | Grade F | Grade F2 |
| Battery Operated (Lithium) | Grade F (may be accepted as a replacement to grade D) | Grade F1 and F2 |
| Mains Powered (Alkaline Back-up) | Grade D, E and F | Grade D2, F1 and F2 |
| Mains Powered (Lithium Back-up) | Grade D, E and F | Grade D1, D2, F1 and F2 |
What is ANSI?
ANSI (American National Standards Institute) facilitates the development of American National Standards (ANS) by accrediting the procedures of standards developing organizations (SDOs). The Institute oversees the creation, promulgation and use of thousands of norms and guidelines that directly impact businesses in nearly every sector.
ANSI is also actively engaged in accrediting programs that assess conformance to standards – including globally-recognized cross-sector programs such as the ISO 9000 (quality) and ISO 14000 (environmental) management systems.