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IS 8757:1999 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for glossary of terms associated with fire safety. This standard provides a comprehensive glossary of terms used in the field of fire safety. It establishes a standard vocabulary to ensure clear and consistent communication among engineers, architects, fire authorities, and other professionals regarding fire protection concepts.
ISO 13943:2017ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Fire safety — Vocabulary
Provides internationally harmonized definitions for fire safety concepts, directly overlapping with the purpose of IS 8757.
ASTM E176-22aASTM International (USA)
HighCurrent
Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
Defines terms used specifically in fire testing standards, covering many core concepts found in IS 8757.
BS EN ISO 13943:2017BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
HighCurrent
Fire safety. Vocabulary
The British and European adoption of ISO 13943, making it the de facto terminology standard in the UK and EU.
NFPA Glossary of TermsNFPA (National Fire Protection Association), USA
MediumCurrent
NFPA Glossary of Terms (online resource)
A comprehensive online glossary compiling terms from over 300 NFPA codes, rather than a single standalone standard.
Key Differences
≠IS 8757:1999 includes definitions tied to Indian regulatory requirements, such as a specific height for 'High-Rise Building' (15m), which are not found in international vocabulary standards like ISO 13943 that avoid jurisdiction-specific values.
≠International standards like ISO 13943:2017 are more recently updated and reflect modern harmonized fire science concepts (e.g., 'fire tetrahedron'), while the 1999 Indian standard may retain older terminology.
≠The definition of 'Fire Resistance' in ISO 13943 is more performance-based, explicitly linking it to criteria in a standard test (stability, integrity, insulation), whereas the IS 8757 definition is more general and descriptive.
≠ASTM E176 has a stronger focus on terminology related to fire test methods and laboratory procedures, whereas IS 8757 has a broader scope covering general building fire safety and planning terms.
Key Similarities
≈All standards share the primary objective of creating a common and unambiguous vocabulary to facilitate clear communication among professionals in the field of fire safety.
≈Fundamental fire science definitions for terms like 'Combustion', 'Ignition', 'Flash Point', and 'Flashover' are based on the same physical principles and are therefore conceptually very similar across all standards.
≈The standards are all structured as alphabetical glossaries, providing a simple and consistent format for users to look up definitions.
≈All cover a similar broad range of topics including fire dynamics, properties of materials, active and passive fire protection systems, and means of egress.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Definition of 'Fire'
A process of combustion characterized by the emission of heat accompanied by smoke or flame, or both.
Exothermic reaction of a substance with an oxidizer. (Note: It is usually accompanied by flames and/or glowing and/or smoke.)
ISO 13943:2017
Definition of 'Flashover'
The rapid transition in a compartment fire from a localized fire to a state where all combustible surfaces are burning.
Transition to a state of total surface involvement in a fire of combustible materials within an enclosure.
ISO 13943:2017
Definition of 'Fire Resistance'
The property of an element of building construction by which it can resist the spread of fire or give protection from fire for a specified period.
Ability of an item to fulfil for a stated period of time the required stability and/or integrity and/or thermal insulation...specified in a standard fire resistance test.
ISO 13943:2017
Definition of 'High-Rise Building'
A building 15 m or more in height.
Not defined with a specific height. It is a regulatory classification that varies by jurisdiction (e.g., typically >75 ft or 23 m in the US).
ISO 13943:2017 / General Practice
Definition of 'Non-Combustible'
A material which does not burn nor give off flammable vapours in sufficient quantity to self-ignite when heated in a specified manner.
Not liable to undergo combustion. (Note: Performance requirement is established by a standard test, e.g. ISO 1182).
ISO 13943:2017
Definition of 'Means of Egress'
A continuous and unobstructed way of travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way...
Continuous and unobstructed path of travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way.
NFPA 101
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values0
No quick reference values available for this code yet.
The heat energy, expressed in kcal/m², that could be released per unit floor area from the combustion of all combustible materials in a space. (Clause 2.45)
How does this code define 'Means of Egress'?+
A continuous and unobstructed way of travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way, consisting of three separate and distinct parts: the exit access, the exit, and the exit discharge. (Clause 2.65)
What is the difference between a 'Fire Door' and a 'Smoke Door'?+
A 'Fire Door' is a fire-resistive door assembly designed to prevent the passage of fire for a specified duration (Clause 2.39). A 'Smoke Stop Door' is a door designed to limit the passage of smoke, which may or may not have a fire-resistance rating (Clause 2.94).
What does 'Compartmentation' mean in the context of fire safety?+
The division of a building into smaller, self-contained areas by means of fire-resisting walls, floors, and other barriers to limit the spread of fire and smoke. (Clause 2.22)