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IS 7673 : 2004Fire Fighting Equipment - Glossary of Terms

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ISO 8421-4 · NFPA 1 · ISO 8421-8
CurrentFrequently UsedTerminologyBIMFire Safety · Fire Fighting
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OverviewInternationalTablesFAQ3Related

IS 7673:2004 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for fire fighting equipment - glossary of terms. This standard provides a glossary of common terms used in relation to fire fighting equipment. It aims to standardize terminology for items like hydrants, extinguishers, hoses, and nozzles to ensure clear communication among manufacturers, users, and regulatory authorities.

Fire Fighting Equipment - Glossary of Terms

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Frequently Used
Domain
Fire Safety — Fire Fighting
Type
Terminology
International equivalents
ISO 8421-4:1990 · ISO (International Organization for Standardization)NFPA 1:2024 · NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), USAISO 8421-8:2018 · ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
Typically used with
IS 15683IS 5290IS 901IS 636

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes
! A foundational document for anyone new to the fire safety industry in India.
! Crucial for writing clear technical specifications, tenders, and inspection reports for fire systems.
! Use it to clarify the exact meaning of terms like 'branch', 'nozzle', and 'jet', especially when dealing with equipment from different manufacturers.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 2.6BranchCl. 2.27ExtinguisherCl. 2.37HydrantCl. 2.70Standpipe
Pulled from IS 7673:2004. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
ISO 8421-4:1990ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Fire protection — Vocabulary — Part 4: Fire extinction equipment
Provides internationally standardized definitions specifically for fire extinguishing equipment, a core component of IS 7673.
NFPA 1:2024NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), USA
MediumCurrent
Fire Code
Chapter 3 (Definitions) provides an extensive glossary for a wide range of fire equipment and systems covered under the comprehensive US fire code.
BS 4422 (series)BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
HighWithdrawn
Fire — Vocabulary
Was the direct UK equivalent, a multi-part vocabulary standard. Many terms in IS 7673 have their origin in this British standard series.
ISO 8421-8:2018ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
MediumCurrent
Fire protection — Vocabulary — Part 8: Terms specific to firefighting, rescue services and disaster management
Defines terms for firefighting operations, apparatus, and services, overlapping with IS 7673's definitions for fire tenders and operational equipment.
Key Differences
≠IS 7673 is a single, consolidated glossary document. In contrast, NFPA standards embed detailed definitions within each specific standard (e.g., NFPA 10 for extinguishers, NFPA 14 for standpipes), rather than having one central glossary.
≠There are significant regional terminology differences. IS 7673 uses British-legacy terms like 'Landing Valve' and 'Branch Pipe', whereas US (NFPA) standards use 'Hose Connection' and 'Nozzle' respectively for the same equipment.
≠The classification of fire types, which dictates extinguisher choice, differs. In IS 7673 (referencing IS 2190), Class C is for flammable gases, while in NFPA standards, Class C is for fires involving energized electrical equipment.
≠The scope of international glossaries like the ISO 8421 series is broken into multiple, highly specific parts (e.g., Part 4 for extinction equipment, Part 8 for firefighting services), whereas IS 7673 covers all these aspects in a single alphabetical list.
Key Similarities
≈All standards share the primary objective of establishing a clear, standardized, and unambiguous vocabulary for fire protection equipment to ensure effective communication among manufacturers, users, and authorities.
≈The fundamental definitions for basic equipment like 'Fire Extinguisher', 'Fire Hose', and 'Hydrant' are conceptually identical across all standards, even if the exact phrasing varies.
≈The general categorization of portable fire extinguishers based on the extinguishing agent (e.g., Water, Foam, CO2, Dry Powder) is consistent between IS 7673 and international standards like EN 3 and NFPA 10.
≈All standards use a hierarchical approach, defining basic components (e.g., 'coupling', 'nozzle') which are then used to define more complex assemblies (e.g., 'hose assembly', 'monitor').
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Term for a valve on a riserLanding Valve: An assembly comprising a valve and an outlet connection for a fire hose, provided on a pipeline of a wet or dry riser system.Hose Connection: A combination of equipment provided for connection of a hose to the standpipe system that includes a hose valve with a threaded outlet.NFPA 14
Term for a fire fighting nozzleBranch Pipe: A fire-fighting nozzle of specified dimensions having a smooth bore or a combination of smooth bore and spray arrangement...Nozzle: A device for use in applications requiring special water discharge patterns, directional control, or flow characteristics.NFPA 1963
Fire Class for Gaseous FuelsClass C: Fires involving flammable gases under pressure including liquefied gases.Class B: Fires in flammable liquids, combustible liquids, petroleum greases, tars, oils... and flammable gases.NFPA 10
Fire Class for Electrical FiresNot a distinct class; handled by using non-conductive agents (CO2, Dry Powder) on Class A/B fires.Class C: Fires that involve energized electrical equipment.NFPA 10
Term for a vertical water pipe in a buildingRiser (Dry Riser / Wet Riser): A water pipe which extends vertically through a building...Standpipe: The riser pipe of a standpipe system.NFPA 14
Fire Class for Cooking Oils/FatsClass F: Fires involving cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats) in cooking appliances.Class K: Fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats).NFPA 10
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values0

No quick reference values available for this code yet.

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 2.6 - Branch
Clause 2.27 - Extinguisher
Clause 2.37 - Hydrant
Clause 2.70 - Standpipe

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 15683:2006Fixed Fire Fighting Systems - General Require...
→
IS 5290:1993Specification for landing valves
→
IS 901:1988Specification for Couplings, Double Male And ...
→
IS 636:1988Non-Ferrous Metals and Alloy Ingots for Sand ...
→

Frequently Asked Questions3

What is the official definition of a 'branch'?+
A hand-controlled nozzle fitted to the delivery end of a fire hose to direct and form a water jet (Clause 2.6).
What is the difference between a 'hydrant' and a 'standpipe'?+
A 'hydrant' (Clause 2.37) is an outlet with a valve and connection from a water main. A 'standpipe' (Clause 2.70) is a rigid vertical water pipe in a building with outlets (landing valves) at various floors for fire fighting.
What is a 'Monitor' in fire fighting?+
A device which directs a large capacity jet of water or foam, and can be fixed or portable. It is also known as a water monitor (Clause 2.50).

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