This glossary is for information only and is not intended as a substitute for verbatim legislated requirements.

For authoritative specifications regarding the application of life safety and security systems, consult current editions of applicable codes and standards. For authoritative interpretation of those codes and standards, consult your local authority having jurisdiction.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of this glossary, the authors and publishers assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistencies herein.

The language of building systems is continually evolving to keep pace with the advances in technology. New approaches to system design and implementation bring with them new concepts that need to be expressed in terms that can be understood by people who come from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds.

This is especially true with the advent of unified systems. The union of life safety and security functions heightens the need for clear understanding of the principles held in common. Two dialects of technology are in the process of merging to form a new building systems language. This language establishes the basis upon which future discussion of life safety and security is based. It’s now more important than ever for professionals in both fields to reacquaint themselves with the terminology they use. It’s even more important for professionals entering the field to begin their new careers with a good understanding of the lexicon they will use in the years ahead.