ISO/TC 21 - Equipment for fire protection and fire fighting

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.

This document applies to non-resettable line-type heat detectors consisting of a sensing element distributed either continuously or discretely at close intervals along its length, which can be connected either directly or through a sensor control unit or an interface module to control and indicating equipment, and intended for use in fire detection and fire alarm systems installed in and around buildings and other civil engineering works. This document specifies requirements and performance criteria, and the corresponding test methods and provisions for assessment. This document also covers non-resettable line-type heat detectors intended for use in the local protection of plant (facility) and equipment. Non-resettable line-type heat detectors with special characteristics and developed for specific risks are not covered by this document.

This document covers performance, marking requirements and test methods for a flexible sprinkler hose with fittings, attachments and anchoring components intended for direct connection to a single fire sprinkler in installations utilizing a flexible attachment to the sprinkler system piping such as clean rooms, suspended ceilings, and exhaust ducts.

This document specifies performance, requirements, methods of test and marking requirements for the following equipment for use in automatic fire protection systems: — wet alarm valves; — retard devices; — water motor alarms; — dry pipe valves; — accelerators; — deluge valves; — preaction valves; — check valves. Performance and test requirements for trim valves for alarm valves are not covered by this document. The requirements for pressure reducing valves and fire pump relief valves are provided by ISO 6182-16 and ISO 6182-17.

This document specifies requirements, test methods and performance criteria for multi-sensor point fire detectors that incorporate a smoke sensor, a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor and, optionally, one or more heat sensors, for use in fire detection and alarm systems installed in buildings (see ISO 7240-1). This document is not applicable to fire detectors using smoke, CO and, optionally heat sensors, which have special characteristics, and which have been developed for specific risks. For the testing of other types of fire detectors using smoke, CO and, optionally, heat sensors working on different principles, this document can therefore be used only for guidance.

This document specifies requirements for compressed air foam systems (CAFS) in which foam concentrate and compressed air are continuously added to the water being discharged from the fire-fighting pump. This document is applicable to CAFS that can be permanently installed in fire-fighting vehicles, or that are transportable or mobile. This document specifies requirements for CAFS which are used at ambient temperatures ranging from –10 °C to +40 °C. This document does not apply to stationary CAFS. This document does not apply to requirements for hazards related to handling foam concentrates, noise generated by CAFS, drives, auxiliary equipment, power sources, or pumps connected to the CAFS. This document does not specify requirements for special hazards arising from particular conditions under which CAFS are used, for example: — immunity against electromagnetic fields and electrostatic discharge; — operation without supervision; — events specific to the location where the CAFS is set up (e.g. on public roads); — handling of any equipment, devices, etc. which have to be connected to the CAFS or are joined to it (e.g. branch pipes, nozzles and pressure hoses); — decommissioning and disposal.

This document specifies requirements, test methods and performance criteria for video fire detectors (VFDs), which operate in the visible spectrum, for use in fire detection and alarm systems installed in and around buildings (see ISO 7240-1). For the testing of other types of VFD working on different principles, this document can be used only for guidance. Detectors developed for the protection of specific risks that incorporate special characteristics (including additional features or enhanced functionality for which this document does not define a test or assessment method) are beyond the scope of this document.

This document contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to FK-5-1-12 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specifications, usage and safety aspects. This document is applicable only to systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar, 34,5 bar, 42 bar and 50 bar[1] with nitrogen propellant. This does not preclude the use of other systems. [1] 1 bar = 0,1 MPa = 105 Pa; 1 MPa = 1 N/mm2.

This document specifies the essential properties and performance of liquid wetting agent concentrates used to make wetting agents for the extinction and inhibition of reignition of fires of Class A fuels. This document specifies the minimum performance on certain test fires.

This document specifies requirements, test methods and performance criteria for point-type smoke detectors that operate using scattered light, transmitted light or ionization, for use in fire detection and alarm systems installed in buildings (see ISO 7240-1). This document also covers point-type smoke detectors that incorporate more than one smoke sensor operating on these principles. Additional requirements and test methods for such detectors are given in Annex N. For the testing of other types of smoke detectors, or smoke detectors working on different principles, this document is only intended to be used for guidance. This document is not applicable to smoke detectors with special characteristics, developed for specific risks. NOTE Certain types of detectors contain radioactive materials.

This document specifies requirements and gives recommendations for the design, installation, testing, maintenance and safety of gaseous firefighting systems in buildings, plants or other structures, and the characteristics of the various extinguishants and types of fire for which they are a suitable extinguishing medium. It covers total flooding systems primarily related to buildings, plants and other specific applications, utilizing electrically non-conducting gaseous fire extinguishants that do not leave a residue after discharge and for which there are sufficient data currently available to enable validation of performance and safety characteristics by an appropriate independent authority. This document does not apply to explosion suppression. This document is not intended to indicate approval of the extinguishants listed therein by the appropriate authorities, as other extinguishants can be equally acceptable. CO2 is not included as it is covered by other International Standards. This document applies to the extinguishants listed in Table 1. It is essential that it be used in conjunction with the separate parts of the ISO 14520 series for specific extinguishants, as cited in Table 1.

This document gives guidelines for fulfilling the requirements contained in ISO 6183:2022, 6.4.1 and 7.4.1 and ISO 14520‑1:2023, 5.2.1 h) and 5.3 h), in respect to over- and under-pressurization venting and post-discharge extract. It considers the design, selection and installation of vents to safeguard the structural integrity of enclosures protected by fixed gaseous extinguishing systems and the post-discharge venting provisions where used.

This document applies to resettable line-type heat detectors consisting of a sensing element distributed either continuously or discretely at close intervals along its length and connected to a sensor control unit, either directly or through an interface module, intended for use in fire detection and fire alarm systems installed in and around buildings and other civil engineering works. Examples of such technology are an optical fibre, a pneumatic tube, or an electrical sensor cable This document specifies the requirements and performance criteria, the corresponding test methods, and provides for the assessment. This document also covers resettable line-type heat detectors intended for use in the local protection of plants and equipment. This document does not cover non-resettable line-type heat detectors that can only respond once and are based on fixed temperature electrical cables.

This document specifies the design, installation, commissioning and service requirements for video fire detector systems (VFDS; see ISO/TS 7240-29), which are primarily intended to provide early detection of fire within one or more specified indoor areas for the protection of lives and equipment. The VFDS can also serve to protect from specific defined risks. The VFDS can be an independent fire detection system or can be used in conjunction with a fire detection and alarm system (FDAS; see ISO 7240‑1:2014, Figure 1).

This document specifies requirements, test methods and performance criteria for line-type smoke detectors for use in fire detection systems installed in buildings. The detectors consist of at least a transmitter and a receiver and can include reflector(s) for the detection of smoke by the attenuation and/or changes in attenuation of an optical beam. This document is not applicable to: — line-type smoke detectors designed to operate with separations between opposed components of less than 1 m; — line-type smoke detectors whose optical path length is defined or adjusted by an integral mechanical connection; — line-type smoke detectors with special characteristics, which cannot be assessed by the test methods in this document. NOTE The term “optical” is used to describe that part of the electromagnetic spectrum produced by the transmitter to which the receiver is responsive; this is not restricted to visible wavelengths.

This document provides a catalogue of test fires and is intended to enhance comprehensive understanding of fire detection test methods. It describes a series of test fires to which fire detectors, such as smoke, heat and flame detectors, are subjected, as specified in other Parts of the ISO 7240 series. This document does not specify normative requirements regarding the test methods for the test fires.

This document specifies requirements and gives recommendations for the design, installation, testing, maintenance and safety of fixed carbon dioxide firefighting systems in buildings, plants or other structures. It is not applicable to extinguishing systems on ships, in aircraft, on vehicles or on mobile fire appliances, or to below‑ground systems in the mining industry; nor does it apply to carbon dioxide pre-inerting systems. Design of systems where unclosable opening(s) exceed a specified area and where the opening(s) can be subject to the effect of wind is not specified, although general guidance on the procedure to be followed in such cases is given (see 7.4.3.2).

This document provides specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems with respect to the Halocarbon Blend 55 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects. It also covers systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar, 35 bar and 42 bar, superpressurized with nitrogen. This document does not preclude the use of other systems. NOTE 1 bar = 0,1 MPa = 105 Pa; 1 MPa = 1 N/mm2.

This document specifies the essential properties and performance of liquid foam concentrates used to make foams for the extinguishment and inhibition of reignition of fires of Class A fuels. Minimum performance on certain test fires is specified. NOTE 1 Class A fires are fires involving solid materials, usually of an organic nature, in which combustion normally takes place with the formation of glowing embers (see 3.16). NOTE 2 Class A fuels can include materials such as vegetation, wood, cloth, paper, rubber and some plastics (see 3.17).

This document specifies requirements, test methods, performance criteria and manufacturers' instructions for smoke alarms that operate using scattered light, transmitted light or ionization, and are intended for household or similar residential applications. For the testing of other types of smoke alarms, or smoke alarms working on different principles, this document is recommended only as guidance. Smoke alarms with special characteristics and developed for specific risks are not covered by this document. This document allows, although it does not require, the inclusion within the smoke alarm of facilities for the following: — visual fault condition indication; — extended temperature-range operation; — interconnection with other similar smoke alarms or accessories; — temporary disablement; — alarm silencing; — signal frequency characteristics; — standby power source low condition silence; — smoke alarms with voice; — smoke alarms using radio frequency links; — response to slowly developing fires (drift compensation). Where such facilities are included, this document specifies applicable requirements. This document does not cover devices intended for incorporation in systems using separate control and indicating equipment. Such systems are specified in the ISO 7240 series.

This document specifies performance and marking requirements and test methods for conventional, spray, flat spray, sidewall, extended coverage, domestic and storage sprinklers, including early suppression fast response (ESFR), electrically activated sprinklers (EAS) and sprinklers with monitoring of activation (SMA) for use in water-based fire protection systems. This document is not applicable to sprinklers with multiple orifices.

This document specifies the product characteristics for powered smoke and heat control ventilators (fans) intended to be used as part of a powered smoke and heat control ventilation system in construction works. It provides test and assessment methods of the characteristics and the conformance criteria of the test assessment results. This document applies to the following: a) fans for smoke and heat control ventilation; b) impulse/jet fans for smoke and heat control ventilation.

This document specifies the requirements for compatibility and connectability assessment of the components of fire detection and alarm systems, fire protection systems and voice alarm systems. This document only includes system requirements when these are necessary for compatibility assessment. This document also specifies requirements for the integrity of the fire detection and fire alarm system when connected to other systems. This document does not specify the manner in which the system is designed, installed and used in any particular application. This document does not cover components or functions which are not included in the fire detection and alarm systems (FDAS), such as functions performed by a building management system. Methods of assessment are specified to permit an acceptable degree of confidence within predetermined operational and environmental conditions to be achieved. The requirements for the transmission path used for a distributed function are covered by a relevant ISO standard and not by this document. This document is applicable to systems where the components are connected to control-and-indicating equipment (CIE) and where the components are interconnected by electrical wires or optical fibre or by radio frequency links or by any combination of these. ISO 7240-25 provides additional information and requirements about systems using radio frequency links. NOTE Other International Standards are expected to cover the requirements of other systems to which the fire detection and fire alarm system is connected.

This document specifies performance requirements, methods of test and marking requirements for pressure reducing valves intended to reduce the downstream water pressure in the piping for water-based fire protection systems. Within the context of this document, pressure reducing valves include both pilot operated pressure reducing valves and direct acting pressure reducing valves. Performance and test requirements for other auxiliary components or attachments to pressure reducing valves are not within the scope of this document.

This document defines performance requirements, methods of testing and marking requirements for fire pump relief valves intended to rapidly relieve the excessive water pressure in the supply piping for standpipe systems or sprinkler systems or both. Performance and test requirements for other auxiliary components or attachments to fire pump relief valves are not covered by this standard.

This document specifies performance, requirements, test methods and marking requirements, for check valves used to supply water in automatic fire protection systems. It is not applicable to trim valves.

This document specifies the requirements, test methods and performance criteria for audible alarm devices intended to signal an audible warning, with or without voice messages between a fire detection and fire alarm system and the occupants of a building. This document specifies fire alarm audible alarm devices for two types of application environment, type A for indoor use and type B for outdoor use. This document is not applicable to: a) loudspeaker-type devices primarily intended for emitting emergency voice messages that are generated from an external audio source; b) supervisory audible alarm devices, e.g. within the control and indicating equipment.

This document specifies the requirements, test methods and performance criteria for transmission path isolators for use in fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings (for general requirements and definitions, see ISO 7240‑1). Means of isolation or protection incorporated within control and indicating equipment are not covered by this document.

This document specifies minimum requirements and defines the specifications governing the design, installation and maintenance of fixed oxygen reduction systems with oxygen reduced air for fire prevention in buildings and industrial production plants. It also applies to the extension and modification of existing systems. This document applies to oxygen reduction systems using nitrogen-enriched-air which are designed for continual oxygen reduction in enclosed spaces. NOTE Nitrogen is, today, the most suitable gas to be used for oxygen reduction. For other gases, this document can be used as a reference. This document does not apply to: — oxygen reduction systems that use water mist or combustion gases; — explosion suppression systems; — explosion prevention systems, in case of chemicals or materials containing their own supply of oxygen, such as cellulose nitrate; — fire extinguishing systems using gaseous extinguishing agents; — inertization of portable containers; — systems in which oxygen levels are reduced for reasons other than fire prevention (e.g. steel processing in the presence of inert gas to avoid the formation of oxide film); — inerting required during repair work on systems or equipment (e.g. welding) in order to eliminate the risk of fire or explosion. In addition to the conditions for the actual oxygen reduction system and its individual components, this document also covers certain structural specifications for the protected area. The space protected by an oxygen reduction system is a controlled and continuously monitored indoor climate for extended occupation. This document does not cover unventilated confined spaces that can contain hazardous gases.

This document contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the HFC 125 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specifications, usage and safety aspects. This document is applicable to systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar and 42 bar, superpressurized with nitrogen. This does not preclude the use of other systems.

This document contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the HFC 227ea extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specifications, usage and safety aspects. This document is applicable to systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar, 42 bar and 50 bar with nitrogen propellant. This does not preclude the use of other systems.

This document contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the HFC 23 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specifications, usage and safety aspects. It is applicable to systems operating at a nominal pressure of 41 bar without nitrogen superpressurization and 70 bar superpressurized with nitrogen.

This document specifies the essential properties and performance of liquid foam concentrates used to make low-expansion foams for the control, extinction and inhibition of re-ignition of fires of water-miscible liquids. Minimum performance on certain test fires is specified. These foams are suitable for top application to fires of water-miscible liquids. Those foams that also comply with ISO 7203-1 are also suitable for top application to fires of water-immiscible liquids. The foam concentrates can be suitable for use in non-aspirating sprayers or for subsurface application to liquid fires, but requirements specific to those applications are not included in this document.

This document contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to FK-5-1-12 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specifications, usage and safety aspects. This document is applicable only to systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar, 34,5 bar, 42 bar and 50 bar with nitrogen propellant. This does not preclude the use of other systems.

This document specifies the essential properties and performance of liquid foam concentrates used to make medium- or high-expansion foams or both for the control, the extinction and the inhibition of reignition of fires of water-immiscible liquids. Minimum performance on certain test fires is specified. These foams are suitable for top application to fires of water-immiscible liquid. Those foams that comply with ISO 7203-1 are also suitable for top application to fires of water-immiscible liquids.

This document specifies the essential properties and performance of liquid foam concentrates used to make low-expansion foams for the control, the extinction and the inhibition of reignition of fires of water-immiscible liquids. Minimum performance on certain test fires is specified. These foams are suitable for top application to fires of water-immiscible liquids. The foams that conform with ISO 7203-3 are also suitable for top application to fires of water-miscible liquids. The foam concentrates can be suitable for use in non-aspirating sprayers or for subsurface application to liquid fires, but the requirements specific to those applications are outside the scope of this document.

This document specifies construction requirements, performance requirements, test methods and marking requirements for typical types of pipe hangers.

This document specifies performance requirements, methods of test and marking requirements for pre-action dry alarm valves, valve sets and manufacturers' specified relevant trim used in non-interlock pre-action automatic fire protection systems. Performance and test requirements for other auxiliary components or attachments to pre-action dry valves are not covered by this document.

This document specifies performance requirements, grooving dimensions, test methods and marking requirements for couplings used in the joining of grooved steel tubes, pipes, grooved-end fittings and other grooved-end components up to 300 DN nominal diameter.

This document applies to the design and installation of natural smoke and heat exhaust ventilators (NSHEVs) for spaces from which smoke is extracted vertically by thermal buoyancy via the roof in the case of single-storey buildings and via the uppermost storey in the case of multi-storey buildings. It also applies to spaces in which NSHEVs are installed in external walls. This document includes tables and calculation methods for the design of clear layers in order to comply with the requirements of various protection objectives. This document includes information and provisions to be taken into account when applying the design rules set out herein and when installing NSHEVs.

This document specifies the performance and testing requirements for accelerators used with dry pipe valves in fire protection systems to hasten the operation of the valves when one or more sprinklers operate.

This document specifies performance requirements, methods of test, and marking requirements for open water spray nozzles. This document is not applicable to open sprinklers or open water mist nozzles. Factors of installation, such as nozzle spacing, design densities, wind and hot gas velocities, are not intended to be addressed by this document.

This document applies to powered smoke exhaust systems in spaces with a large area and with a ceiling height of minimum 3 m, in which smoke protection is required. It includes tables and calculation methods for the design of clear layers in order to comply, inter alia, with the requirements of various protection objectives. This document includes information and provisions concerning the requirements for powered smoke exhaust systems, their design and rules for their installation. NOTE The requirements for testing the ventilators are dealt with in ISO 21927‑3. Other parts of the ISO 21927 series of standards deal with the power supply (ISO 21927‑10), control equipment (ISO 21927‑9) and smoke control ducts and smoke control dampers (ISO 21927‑7 and ISO 21927-8 respectively). Design, as specified in this document, does not apply to: — spaces with fixed gas extinguishing systems; — storage facilities for hazardous materials; — spaces in which there is a risk of explosions; — corridors; — stairwells.

This document applies to natural smoke and heat exhaust ventilators (NSHEV) operating as part of smoke and heat exhaust systems (SHEVS), placed on the market. This document specifies requirements and gives test methods for natural smoke and heat exhaust ventilators which are intended to be installed in smoke and heat control systems in buildings.

This document specifies requirements for the chemical and physical properties, and for minimum performance in defined test methods, of fire extinguishing powders suitable for use against fires of classes A, B, C and D. Requirements are also given for the information and data to be declared by the manufacturer. NOTE The classification of fires is given in ISO 3941.

This document specifies requirements, test methods and performance criteria for multi-sensor point fire detectors that incorporate a smoke sensor, a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor and, optionally, one or more heat sensors, for use in fire detection and alarm systems installed in buildings (see ISO 7240‑1). For the testing of other types of fire detectors using smoke, CO and, optionally, heat sensors working on different principles, this document can be used only for guidance. This document is not applicable to fire detectors using smoke, CO and, optionally heat sensors, which have special characteristics and which have been developed for specific risks.

ISO 7240-5:2018 specifies the requirements, test methods and performance criteria for point type heat detectors for use in fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings (see ISO 7240‑1). For other types of heat detector, or for detectors intended for use in other environments, this document can be used for guidance only. Heat detectors with special characteristics and developed for specific risks are not covered by this document.

ISO 8201:2017 specifies the requirements for an audible emergency evacuation signal intended to indicate without ambiguity, to all persons within the reception area of the signal, that an emergency situation (fire, gas leaks, explosion, nuclear radiation, etc.) requires immediate evacuation. Two acoustic parameters of the audible emergency evacuation signal are defined: the temporal pattern and the required sound pressure level at all places within the intended reception area of the signal. NOTE Recognition of the signal does not require the specification of its spectral content, which can be selected to satisfy specific site requirements. The signal specified in this document is intended to be used in buildings, including but not limited to schools, hotels, residential buildings, public institutions and work places (such as factories and offices) The signal can also be used in outside areas. ISO 8201:2017 is not applicable to warning signals, to signals for public disaster control or to alarm systems on board ships or in outdoor moving vehicles, such as police cars, fire engines and ambulances. The individual signalling-system components of the signal are also out of the scope of this document.

ISO 7240-2:2017 specifies requirements, test methods and performance criteria for fire detection control and indicating equipment (FDCIE) for use in fire detection and fire alarm systems installed in buildings. For the testing of other types of FDCIE, this document is intended to be used only for guidance. FDCIE with special characteristics, developed for specific risks, are not covered in ISO 7240-2:2017.

ISO 7240-4:2017 specifies requirements, test methods and performance criteria for power supply equipment (PSE) for use in fire detection and alarm systems installed in buildings. For the testing of other types of the PSE, this document is intended to be used only for guidance. The PSE with special characteristics, developed for specific risks, are not covered in ISO 7240-4:2017.