ISO/PRF 7240-1

ISO /TC 21/SC 3/WG 16
Secretariat: SA
Date: 2025-07-31xx
Fire detection and alarm systems —
Part 1: General and definitions
Vocabulary
Systèmes de détection et d'alarme d'incendie —
Partie 1: Vocabulaire
PROOF
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ii
Contents
Foreword . iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
Annex A (informative) Functions, examples and relevant standards . 15
Bibliography . 20
Index 21
iii
Foreword
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 21, Equipment for fire protection and fire
fighting, Subcommittee SC 3, Fire detection and alarm systems.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition (ISO 7240-1:2014), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— — the part's title changed to "Vocabulary";
— wording of the scope has been simplified to improve readability;
— — editorial corrections have been made to bring the document in line with current ISO drafting rules;
— — some definitions (e.g. access level, detachable detector, multipoint detector, zone, etc.) have been
changed or added to bring them in line with other parts of ISO 7240 or EN 54-1:2021;
— — some terms have been deleted (e.g. alarm, alarm indication, alphanumeric display, combustion gas
detector, etc.) because they were used as general meanings or not used in the ISO 7240 series.
A list of all parts in the ISO 7240 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Introduction
The ISO 7240 series specifies components of fire detection and alarm systems, requirements for their
interconnection and installation and the performance, testing, and servicing of parts or of complete systems.
It provides:
— — signals to organizations having authority to respond to fire alarms, and
— — signals to initiate the operation of fire protection equipment and other systems.
A fire detection and alarm system may be activated by automatic detection devices or by manual operation
and should fulfil its functions without errors or omissions, including:
— — detecting quickly enough to fulfil its intended function,
— — reliably transmitting the detection signal to the control and indicating equipment and, if applicable,
the fire alarm receiving station,
— — translating the detection signal into a clear alarm signal that will attract the attention of occupants in
an immediate and unmistakable way,
— — remaining insensitive to phenomena other than those which its function is to detect, and
— — signalling immediately and clearly any supervised fault that can potentially jeopardize the correct
performance of the fire detection and alarm system.
A fire detection and alarm system should not:
— — be adversely affected by any other systems whether associated with it, or not.
— — be rendered partially or totally inoperative by the fire or the phenomenon which it is designed to
detect before the fire or phenomenon has been detected.
The ISO 7240 series applies to fire detection and alarm systems installed in and around buildings. It can be
used as a basis for the assessment of systems for other purposes (e.g. mines, ships) but the specific nature of
each application should be considered before use. Additional performance and environmental tests can be
necessary. It does not preclude the manufacture or use of systems having special characteristics suitable for
protection of specific risks against specific hazards.
A fire detection and alarm system is required to function satisfactorily not only in the event of fire, but also
during and after exposure to conditions likely to be met in practice such as corrosion, vibration, direct impact,
indirect shock, and electromagnetic interference. Some tests specified are intended to assess the performance
of system components under such conditions.
The performance of components of fire detection and alarm systems is assessed from the results obtained in
the specific tests. The compliance of a component with the relevant part of ISO 7240 does not necessarily
ensure that the component will function correctly when connected with another component also conforming
to the relevant part of ISO 7240 (e.g. a fire detector with fire detection control and indicating equipment),
unless both components have been assessed together as conforming to the requirements for a fire detection
and alarm system. Requirements for the assessment of the compatibility of system components are specified
in ISO 7240--13. Satisfactory operation of an installed system should be confirmed by testing after completion
of the installation (see ISO 7240--14 and ISO 7240-19). The ISO 7240 series is not intended to place any other
restrictions on the design and construction of such components.
v
If appropriate, the ISO 7240 series can be applied to the detection part of extinguishing systems, excluding
sprinkler heads, although the sensitivity requirements are not necessarily applicable in every instance.
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Fire detection and alarm systems — Part 1: General and definitions
Part 1:
Vocabulary
1 Scope
This document defines the terms and definitions that are used throughout the ISO 7240 series of standards. It
describes the functions carried out by the components of a fire detection and alarm systems (FDAS).
This document applies to FDAS installed in and around buildings.
This document does not cover devices which are covered in ISO 12239.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— — ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— — IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1 3.1
A-weighted sound pressure level
sound pressure level expressed in dB(a), which is 20 times the logarithm to base ten of the ratio of the A-
weighted sound pressure to the reference pressure of 20 μPa at 1 kHz
Note 1 to entry: The A-weighting characteristics are given in IEC 61672–1.
3.2 3.2
access level
one of several states of equipment in which selected:
— — controls can be operated;
— — manual operations can be carried out;
— — indications are visible; and/or
— — information can be obtained and changed
3.3 3.3
addressable device
device that can be individually identified at the control and indicating equipment (3.22(3.22))
3.4 3.4
addressable point
point (3.83(3.83)) which can be individually identified at the control and indicating equipment (3.22(3.22))
3.5 3.5
aerosol density
smoke density
amount of particulates per volume as described operationally by one of two parameters:
— — m (3.71(3.71),), an absorbance index, used in the testing of smoke detectors (3.94(3.94)) using
scattered or transmitted light;
— — y (3.109(3.109),), a dimensionless variable, used in the testing of smoke detectors using ionization
Note 1 to entry: These parameters are not concentrations in the strict sense, but represent values that are proportional
to the concentration and have been shown to function in place of a true concentration value for the purposes of tests.
3.6 3.6
alarm concept
description of the design of the fire detection and alarm system (3.48(3.48)) with a justification of the choice
of audible and visual warning devices providing warning signals (3.107(3.107)) to occupants,
Note 1 to entry: Note1 to entry: Includes the alarm organisation, fire receiving station and measures to be taken in case
of alarm
3.7 3.7
alert signal
audible signal conforming to ISO 7731 or visual signal or a combination of audible and visual signals that call
attention to the possibility of a hazardous or dangerous situation
3.8 3.8
analogue detector
detector that gives an output signal representing the value of the sensed phenomenon
Note 1 to entry: This may be a true analogue signal or a digitally encoded equivalent of the sensed value.
3.9 3.9
ancillary equipment
equipment that supports fire detection and fire alarm functions, and that not currently defined in ISO 7240
EXAMPLE Ancillary input or output equipment (see Figure 1, item N).
3.10 3.10
ancillary function
action performed by equipment not related to fire detection or fire alarm system (3.45(3.45))
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 1, item O.
3.11 3.11
aspirating smoke detector
smoke detector (3.94(3.94),), in which air and aerosols are drawn through a sampling device and carried to
one or more smoke-sensing elements by an integral aspirator (e.g. fan or pump)
Note 1 to entry: Each smoke-sensing element may contain more than one sensor exposed to the same smoke sample.
3.12 3.12
audible alarm device
AAD
DEPRECATED: fire alarm sounders
component (3.20(3.20)) intended to signal an audible warning of fire to the occupants of a building
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 1, item C and item P.
3.13 3.13
building management system
facilities used to monitor, control and manage equipment installed in a building for either comfort, safety or
security, or all of these purposes
3.14 3.14
cabinet
housing that affords a degree of mechanical protection and robustness to its constituent parts and
subassemblies
3.15 3.15
certification
third-party attestation related to an object of conformity assessment, with the exception of accreditation
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17000:2020, 7.6]
3.16 3.16
combination detector
detector incorporating within one mechanical housing more than one fire sensor with each sensor
independently signalling an alarm condition
3.17 3.17
commissioning
process that verifies the installed equipment or system meets the defined requirements
3.18 3.18
compatibility
ability of a component (3.20(3.20)) of a fire detection and alarm system (3.48(3.48)) to
operate with another component of the same FDAS
3.19 3.19
competent person
person who, in relation to the work unde
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