Fire-related Abbreviations and Acronyms (FRAA)

Compiled by Sheila Pantry OBE BA FCLIP

For chemical substances the CAS registry number is also given.

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. G
  8. H
  9. I
  10. J
  11. K
  12. L
  13. M
  14. N
  15. O
  16. P
  17. Q
  18. R
  19. S
  20. T
  21. U
  22. V
  23. W
  24. X
  25. Y
  26. Z

A

AAC
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
AAFA
Australian Assembly of Fire Authorities
AAIB
Air Accidents Investigation Board
ABC
Alarms By Carrier
ABCB
Australian Building Codes Board
ABCM
Association of Building Component Manufacturers
ABE
Association of Building Engineers
ABFT
Association of British Fire Trades
ABHM
Association of Builders Hardware Manufacturers
ABI
Association of British Insurers
ABI
Association of British Investigators
ABNT
Association Brasileira de Normas Tecnicas
ABS
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
ABS
Anti-lock Braking Systems
ABSAC
Australian Building Standards Appraisal Council
AC
alternating current
AC
Audit Commission
ACAS
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service
ACB
Association of Certification Bodies
ACCD
ammonium cupric chloride dihydrate
ACD
Automatic Call Distribution
ACE
Association of Consulting Engineers
ACF
Arson Control Forum
ACFO
Assistant Chief Fire Officer
ACI
American Concrete Institute
ACoP
Approved Code of Practice
ACRE
Association for Consumer Research
ACS
American Chemical Society
ACSTA
Advisory Commission on Standardisation & Technical Approvals
ACTC
Advisory Committee for Testing & Certification
ACV
actual cash value (replacement cost of a fire loss minus depreciation)
AD
Approved Document (of the Building Regulations)
ADAPTIC
nonlinear analysis program
ADB
Approved Document B
ADDs
actual delivered densities (of ESFR sprinklers)
AND
European agreement on international carriage of dangerous goods by inland waterways
ADO
Assistant Divisional Officer
ADR
European agreement on the international carriage of dangerous goods by road
ADS
aspiratory detection systems
AEA
Atomic Energy Authority
AEE
Atomic Energy Establishment
AENE
Asociacion Espagnola de Normalizacion y Certificacion
AERE
Atomic Energy Research Establishment
AFA
Automatic Fire Alarm
AFAC
Australian Fire Authorities' Council
AFD
automatic fire detection
AFEG
Australian Fire Engineering Guidelines
AFFF
Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (known as A triple F)
AFIS
Association of Fire Insurance Surveyors
AFNOR
French Standards organisation
AFPA
Australian Fire Protection Association
AFPE
Association of Fire Protection Engineers
AFPO
Association of Principal Fire Officers
A-frame
A structure with 2 deeply angled sides that meet at the top like an A
A-frame ladder
ladder used by firefighters to change sprinkler heads etc
AFS
Auxiliary Fire Service
AFSA
American Fire Sprinkler Association
AGAR
American Gas Association Research Division
AIAA
American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics
AIBS
Australian Institute of Building Surveyors
AIChE
American Institute of Chemical Engineers
AIFS
Assistant Inspector of Fire Services
AIRAH
Australia Refrigeration, Air Conditioning & Heating
AIRCO
air co-ordinator
AIRMIC
Association of Insurance & Risk Managers in Industry & Commerce
AISBVC
Asociacion de Investigacion ... Seguridad Vidas y Bienes Cepreven
AIT
autogenous ignition temperature
AIVC
Air Infiltration & Ventilation Centre
ALARM
Association of Local Authority Risk Managers
ALARM
Alternative Life Safety Analysis for Retrofit Cost Minimisation (NIST)
ALARP
As Low As Reasonably Practical (safety management)
ALEM
Association of Loading & Elevating Equipment Manufacturers
ALOFT
A Large Open Fire plume Trajectory model
AMD
Amendment (to British Standard)
AMK
Anti-Misting Kerosene
AMP
Ampere(s) (standard unit for the amount of an electric current at a given point
ANPI/NVBB
Association Nationale pour la Protection contre l'incindie (Belgium)
ANS
American Nuclear Society
ANSI
American National Standards Institute
AOH
Aluminium-oxide-hydroxide (Boehmite)
APB
Arson Prevention Bureau
APEA
Association of Petroleum & Explosive Acts Administration
APFS
Asian Pacific Fire Safety
API
American Petroleum Institute
APIS
Air Pollution Information System
APP
ammonium polyphosphate
APPFS
Association of Procurement Practitioners in the Fire Service
APPFSG
All Party Parliamentary Fire Safety Group
APSAD
Assemblee Pleniere des Societes d'Assurances Dommages
AR-AFFF
Alcohol Resistant Aqueous Film Forming Foam
ARGOS
zone-type fire model at DIFT
AS
Standards Australia
ASCE
American Society of Civil Engineers
ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange
ASCOS
Analysis of Smoke Control Systems, fire model
ASD
Air-sampling detection systems
ASDMA
Architectural & Specialist Door Manufacturers' Association
ASET
Available Safe Egress Time, fire model
ASFP
Association for Specialist Fire Protection
ASFPCM
Association of Specialist Fire Protection Contractors & Manufacturers
ASHRAE
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
ASKFRS
computer package for fire engineers from FRS
ASM
American Society for Metals
ASME
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASNT
American Society for Non-Destructive Testing
ASTA
Association of Short-Circuit Testing Authorities
ASTM
American Society for Testing & Materials
ATEX
Atmospheres Explosibles Directive, of the EC
ATH
Aluminium trihydroxide 21645-51-2
ATM
atmosphere(s)
ATMS
automated teller systems
ATO
Antimonytrioxide 1309-64-4
ATSO
Association of Trading Standards Officers
AU
Automobile series (British Standards)
AVCAT
kerosine fuel for aircraft
AVGAS
aviation spirit
AVLS
Automatic Vehicle Locking Systems
AVTAG
low-octane petrol
AVTUR
aviation kerosine
AWG
American Wire Gage (Gauge)
AWRE
Atomic Weapons Research Establishment now: DERA

B

BA
breathing apparatus
BAA
British Airports Authority
BACO
Breathing Apparatus Control Officer
BADP (or BPA-DPP)
Bisphenol-A diphenyl posphate, EINECS 425-220-8
BAFE
British Approvals for Fire Equipment
BAFSA
British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (Previously BASA)
BAM
Bundesanstalt fur Materialprufung
BAMA
British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association
BAP
Bickerdike Allen Partners (fire consultants)
BASA
British Automatic Sprinkler Association
BASEC
British Approvals Service for Electric Cables
BASEEFA
British Approvals Service for Electrical Equipment in Flammable Atmospheres
BASF
British Automatic Sprinkler Federation
BBA
British Board of Agreement
BC
Battalion chief
BCA
British Cement Association
BCB
British Consultants Bureau
BCF
bromochlorodifluoromethane (Halon 1211)
BCGA
British Compressed Gases Association
BCM
bromochloromethane
BCS
British Calibration Service
BCSA
British Constructional Steelwork Association
BCSF
Business and Community Safety Forum
BDAG
Building Disaster Assessment Group
BDP (or BPA-BDPP)
Bisphenol-A- bis- diphenylphosphate 5945-33-5, 181028-79-5
BDP
Building Design Partnership
BEAB
British Electrotechnical Approvals Service
BEAMA
Federation of British Electrotechnical & Allied Manufacturers' Association
BEC
British Electrotechnical Committee
BEC
Building Employers Confederation
BERR
Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
BESA
British Electrical Systems Association
BFC
British Fire Consortium
BFISS
Birmingham Fire Insurance Surveyors Society
BFPC
British Fire Prevention Committee
BFPSA
British Fire Protection Systems Association (now part of the FIA)
BFR
Brominated flame retardant
BFRC
British Flame Research Committee
BFRL
Building & Fire Research Laboratory, NIST, USA
BFSA
British Fire Services Association
BHP
brake horsepower
BHP
Broken Hill Proprietry Co. (Melbourne Research Labs.)
BHRA
British Hydraulics Research Association
BIA
British Insurance Association now: ABI
BIAT
British Institute of Architectural Technicians
BIBA
British Insurance Brokers' Association
BICC
International Building Classification Committee
BICC
British Insulated Cable Company
BIFM
British Institute of Facilities Management
BIIBA
British Insurers' International Committee
BIM
British Institute of Management
BISF
British Iron & Steel Federation
BLA
British Lift Association
BLAZES
fire museum in Somerset
BLCBE
boiling liquid collapsed bubble explosion
Bldg.Regs.
Building Regulations
BLEVE(s)
Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion(s)
BMEG
Building Materials Export Group
BMF
British Metals Federation
BMHB
British Materials Handling Board
BMP
Building Materials Producers (Same as NCBMP)
BNCIEA
British National Committee for International Engineering Affairs
BNFL
British Nuclear Fuels Ltd
BOCA
Building Official & Code Administrators, USA
BOT
Board of Trade
BP
British Petroleum
BP
boiling point
BPF
British Plastics Federation
BPMA
British Pump Manufacturers' Association
BR
Building Regulations
BR (312)
report series from BRE/FRS
BR12
fire zone model at BFRL, NIST
BRAC
Building Regulations Advisory Committee
BRAC
British Research Advisory Council
BRANDFORSK
Swedish performance based safety design
BRANZ
Building Research Association of New Zealand
BRAs
Building Research Advisory Service
BRE
Building Research Establishment
BRESENS
prototype computer-based analogue fire detection system from BRE/FRS
BRI
Building Research Institute (Ministry of Construction, Japan)
BRUFMA
British Rigid Urethane Foam Manufacturers' Association
BS
British Standard
BSB
Bureau voor Sprinklerbeveiliging
BSC
British Safety Council
BS CECC
British Standard Implementation of a CECC
BSEE
Building Services & Environmental Engineer (journal)
BS EN
British Standard implementation of a European Standard
BSI
British Standards Institution
BS IEC
British Standard implementation of an IEC standard
BS ISO
British Standard implementation of an ISO standard
BS ISO TR
British Standard implementation of an ISO Technical Report
BS ISO/IEC
British Standard implementation of a joint ISO/IEC publication
BSIA
British Security Industry Association
BSIF
British Safety Industry Federation
BSIQA
BSI Quality Assurance
BSRIA
Building Services Research & Information Association
BSS
British Standards Society
BSTI
Bangladesh Standards & Testing Institution
BTF
bromotrifluoromethane (freon, Halon 1301)
BTG
British Technology Group was: NRDC
BTM
bromotrifluoromethane (Halon 1301)
BTTG
British Textile Technology Group, Fire Technology Services
Btu
British thermal unit(s)
BUSI
Building Use & Safety Research Unit
BVD/SPI
Brand-Verhutungs-Dienst fur Industrie & Gewerbe
BVQI
Bureau Veritas Quality International
BWF
British Woodworking Federation

C

C
Centigrade, or celsius
C & CA
Cement & Concrete Association
C of E
Centre of Excellence
CA
Consumers' Association
CAA
Civil Aviation Authority
CACFOA
Chief & Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association
CAD
computer aided design
CAF
Conductive anodic filament
CAFS
compressed air foam systems
CAME
Certification of Air Moving Equipment
CANS
Controller Area Networks
CARES
Certification Authority for Reinforcing Steels
CAS
Chemical Abstracts Service (run by the American Chemical Society)
CASA
Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association
CASCO
ISO/IEC Committee on Conformity Assessment
CB
Certification Bodies
CBFPEM
Council of British Fire Protection Equipment Manufacturers
CBI
Confederation of British Industry
CBM
bromochloromethane (Halon 1011)
CBT
competence based training
CBT
computer based training
CBUF
combustion behaviour of upholstered furniture
CC
Closed cup
CC
Cubic centimetre
CC14
carbon tetrachloride
C&CA
Cement & Concrete Association
CCA
CENELEC Certification Agreement
CCB
Committee of Certification Bodies of the EICEE
CCD
Charged-couple Device
CCDF
complementary cumulative distribution function
CCFM
computer zone model at BFRL, NIST
CCSIEFP
Combustion of chemical substances & impact on the environment of fire products
CCTV
Closed Circuit Television
CD
consultative document
CDM Regulations
Construction (Design & Management) Regulation
CDOIF
Chemical and Downstream Oil Industries Forum
CD-ROM
Compact Disk - Read Only Memory
CE mark
European safety approval mark
CEA
Comite Europeen des Assurances
CEB
Comite electrotechnique (Belgium)
CEBI
European Committee of Consulting Associations
CEC
Commission of European Communities
CECC
CENELEC Electronics Components Committee
CECT
European Committee for Boiler & Pressure Vessel Makers
CEE
International Committee on Rules for the Approval of Electrical Equipment
CEF
Comite Electrotechnique Francaise
CEFIC
European Council of Chemical Manufacturers' Federation
CEGB
Central Electricity Generating Board now: National Power
CEI
Comite Electrotechnique Internationale (IEC)
CEI
Comitato elettrotechnico italiano
CELIS
CENELEC Information System
CEN
Comite Europeen de Normalisation (European Committee for Standardisation)
CENELEC
Comite Europeen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
CEN/TC
CEN Technical Committee
CEPO
County Emergency Planning Officer
CEPREVEN
Spanish FPA
CERCI
Centre for Educational Resources for the Construction Industry
CERTICO
ISO Committee on Certification
CERTIFIRE
fire door certification scheme
CESARE
CFD fire model
CESI
Centro Electrotechnico Sperimentale Italiano
CETM
cigarette extinction test method
CF3Br
halon 1301
CFAST
computer zone model at BFRL, NIST
CFBAC
Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council (Home Office)
CFC
chlorofluorocarbon
CFCD
Canadian Fire Data Centre
CFD
computational fluid dynamics
CFIRS
Canadian fire data method
CFLs
compact fluorescent lamps
CFLP
Central Fire Liaison Panel
CFO
Chief Fire Officer
CFOA
Chief Fire Officers Association
CFPA-E
Confederation of Fire Protection Associations, Europe
CFPA-I
Confederation of Fire Protection Associations, International
CFRAU
Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser’s Unit
CFS
Community Fire Safety
CH2CHCHO
acrolein
CH2C12
dichloromethane
CH3C1
chloromethane
CHAM
Computer Hazard Analysis
CHCS
Chemical Hazards Communications Society
CHEMET
Chemical Meteorology
CHEMTREC
Chemical Transportation Emergency Centre
CHETAH
a program of ASTM
CHIP
Chemical Hazards Information & Packaging
CHP
Combined Heat & Power
CHLOREP
Chlorine Emergency Plan
CHS
Circular Hollow Section
Chunnel
Channel Tunnel railway link between Britain & France
CI
Combustion Institute
CIA
Chemical Industries Association
CIB
Conseil International du Batiment
CIBSE
Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
CIE
International Commission on Illumination
CIEH
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
CICS
Ceramic Industry Certification Scheme
CIEH
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
CIF
Construction Industry Federation
CIFS
Chief Inspector of Fire Services
CII
Chartered Insurance Institute
CIIG
Construction Industry Information Group
CILA
Charted Institute of Loss Adjusters
CIMAH
Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazard (replaced by COMAH)
CIOB
Chartered Institute of Building
CIPFA
Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy
CIRIA
Construction Industry Research & Information Association
CIRUS
Chemical Information Retrieval & Updating System (London Fire Brigade)
CIS
Critical incident stress
CISD
Critical Incident Stress Disorder see also: PTSD
CISTI
Canada Institute for Research in Construction
CITB
Construction Industry Training Board
CITS
Construction Industry theft Scheme
CLASP
Consortium of Local Authorities Special Programme
CLC
CENELEC
CLI
Calling Line Identity
CLOUD
Concentration levels of unconfined dispersion
CMC
Conditional Moment Closure
CMHR
Combustion Modified High Resilience (polyurethane foam)
C-MIST
Centre for Maritime & Industrial Safety Technology
CMPU
Combustion Modified Polyurethane
CNF
Chubb National Foam
CNMIS
Comite National du Material d'Incendie et de Securite
CNMPA
Centre for Numerical Modelling & Process Analysis
CNPP
Centre National de Prevention et de Protection
CO
carbon monoxide
CO2
carbon dioxide
COFIRES
Canadian fire data method
COFSA
Commonwealth & Overseas Fire Services Association
COFSWAN
Computers On Fire Stations Wide Area Network
COMAH
Control of Major Accident Hazards (replaced CIMAH)
CONIAC
Construction Industry Advisory Committee
CONRAD2
NIST fire model
CoP
Code of Practice
COPOLCO
ISO Committee on Consumer Policy
COSHH
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
COSI
Control Operators Stress Inventory
COSQC
Central Organization for Standardization & Quality Control
COTIF
Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail
COVENIN
Comission Venezolana de Normas Industriales
CP
Code of Practice (BSI standard)
CP
Current Paper (publications series by BRE/FRS)
CPA
Construction Products Association
CPA
Comprehensive Performance Assessment
CPC
Consumer Policy Committee
CPCG
Civil Protection Co-ordination Group
CPD
Construction Products Directive
CPD
Continuing Personal/Professional Development
CPL
Classification, Packaging & Labelling Regulations
CPM
Critical Path Method
CPO
Crime Prevention Officer
CPP
Certified Protection Professional
CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CPSC
Consumer Product Safety Commission, USA
CPTU
Crime Prevention Technical Unit
CQA
Construction Quality Assurance
CR
CEN Technical Report
CRESTA
Catastrophic Risk Evaluating & Standardising Target Accumulations
CRINE
Cost Reduction Initiative for the New Era (FABIG)
CRISP
Construction Research & Innovation Strategy Panel
CRISP
fire risk assessment methodology model at FRS
CSBS
China State Bureau of Standards
CSCE
Canadian Society for Civil Engineering
CSIRO
Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation, Australia
CSK
Committee for Standardisation of Democ. People's Republic of Korea
CSN
Czechoslovakian Standards Organisation
CSO
Central Statistical Office
CSP
Certified Safety Professional
CSTB
Centre Scientifique et Technique du Batiment, France
CSU
Consumer Safety Unit (of DTI)
CTC
carbon tetrachloride
CTCSS
Continuous Tone Controlled Signalling System
CTE
Coefficient of thermal expansion
CTI
Comparative tracking index
CTICM
Centre Technique Industriele de la Construction Metallique
CTIF
Comite Technique International de Prevention et d'Extinction du Feu
CTSA
Channel Tunnel Safety Authority
CV
control volume
CWCT
Centre for Window & Cladding Technology
CYS
Cyprus Organisation for Standards & Control of Quality

D

Da
Damkohler number
DAE
Deutsch Akkreditierungstelle Elektrotechnik
DAM
Draft amendment
DANTEST
Danish Test Laboratory Copehagen
DAS
Defect Action Sheet (BRE/FRS)
db
database
DB
decibel
DC
direct current
DBCE
Division of Building, Construction & Engineering, CSIRO Australia
DBE
dibromotetrafluoroethane
DBR
Division of Building Research, CSIRO now: DBCE
DC
direct current
DC
Draft for comment (BSI)
DCFO
Deputy Chief Fire Officer
DCLG
Department for Communities and Local Government
DCO
Deputy Chief Officer
DCOL (DCO)
'Dear Chief Officer' letter (Home Office)
DD
Draft for Development (of BSI)
DDA
Disability Discrimination Act
DDI
Direct Dial In
Deca-DBDE
Decabromodiphenyl ether 1163-19-5
DED
Data Encryption Device
DEF
Defence Specification
DEFRA
Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
DEFSTAN
Defence Standards
Deg
degree(s)
DEGADIS
dispersion model
DEK
Dansk Elektroteknisk Komite
DEM
Digital Elevation Model
DERA
Defence Establishment Research Agency
DETACT-QS NIST
fire model
DETR
Department of the Environment, Transport & the Regions
Df
Dissipation factor
DfE
Design for the Environment (US EPA)
DfES
Department for Education and Skills
DFM
‘Dear Firemaster' letter (Scottish Office)
DFPA
Danish FPA
DFT
Dry Film Thickness
DFTs
directional flame thermometers
DGEBA
Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A
DGIII
(EC) Directorate General III
DGN
Direccion General de Normas
DIAL
Differential Absorption LIDAR
DICY
Dicyandiamide
DIEL
OFTEL'S advisory committee for Disabled & Elderly people
DIFT
Danish Institute of Fire Technology
DIN
Deutsches Institut fur Normung e.V (German Standards Organisation)
DIN
Draft International Standard
DINT
Direction de la normalisation et de la technologie
DIS
Draft International Standard
DISC
Delivering Information Solutions to Customers through International Standards
DISP
Draft International Standardised Profile
DITR
German Information Centre for Technical Regulations
Dk
Dielectric constant
DKD
Deutscher Kalibrierdienst
DKE
Deutsche Elektrotechnische Kommission im DIN & VDE
DLCA
diffusion limited cluster aggregation
DMU
dimethyl urea
DNH
Department of National Heritage
DNS
direct numerical simulations
DNV
Det Norsk Veritas
DoE
Department of the Environment now: DETR
DOPO
Dihydro-oxa-phosphaphenantrene-oxide
DOPO-HQ
Dihydro-oxa-phosphaphenantrene-oxidehydrochinon
DOT
Department of Transport now: DETR
DP
Draft Proposal
DPC
Draft for public comment
DPE
Data Processing Environment
DRA
Defence Research Agency
DRM
direct regular method
DS
Dansk Standardiseringsrad
DS
Defence Specification
DSA
District Surveyors Association
DSC
differential scanning calorimetry
DSHR
Dangerous Substances in Harbours & Harbour Area Regulations
DSIR
Department of Scientific & Industrial Research
DSMA
Door & Shutter Manufacturers' Association
DSN
Dewan Standardisasi Nasional
DSP
Digital Signal Processing
DSS
Department of Social Security
DSU
Distress Signal Unit
DTA
differential thermal analysis
DTI
Department of Trade & Industry
DTR
Draft technical report

E

EA
Electricity Association
EA
Environment Agency
EAs
Emergency Authorities
EAC
emergency action code
EACC
Emergency Authorities Control Centres
EAPFB
European Association of Professional Fire Brigade Officers
EAPI
European Arson Prevention Institute
Eas
Emergency Authorities
EAS
Electronic Article Surveillance
EASEM
European Association of Security Equipment Manufacturers
EC
Elektroniccentralen
EC
Engineering Council
EC
European Community
EC
extended coverage (sprinkler)
ECA
Electrical Contractors' Association
ECE
Economic Commission for Europe
ECSC
European Coal & Steel Community
EDITH
Exit drills in the home
EDP
electronic data processing
E&E
Electric and electronic
EECS
Electrical Equipment Certification Service
EEMUA
Engineering Equipment & Materials Users Association
EFD
electrostatic fire detector
EFFSEP
European Federation of Fire Separating Element Producers
EFILWC
European Foundation for Improvement of Living & Working Conditions
EFL
Explosion & Flame Laboratory
EFRA
European Flame Retardant Association
EFSAC
European Fire & Security Advisory Council
EFSC
European Fire & Security Council (EFSG, CEA, CFPA, EUROFEU & EURALARM)
EFSG
European Fire Security Network
EFSLB
Emergency Fire Service Lead Body
EFSN
European Fire Sprinkler Network
EFTA
European Free Trade Association
EFTCA
European Fluoro-Carbon Technical Committee
EGOLF
European Group of Official Laboratories for Fire Testing
EGRESS
evacuation modelling computer code (of AEA)
EH
environmental health
EH
English Heritage
EHCS
English Housing Condition Survey
EHI
Environmental Harm Index
EHO
Environmental Health Officer
EHS
English Housing Survey
EI
Energy Institute
EIAB
Engineering Inspection Authorities Board
EIF
Energy Industries Council
EIFS
exterior insulation & finish systems
EL
Exposure Limit
ELOT
Hellenic Organisation for Standardization
ELR
End of Line Resistor
EMarks
European safety approval marks
EMC
Electro-Magnetic Compatibility
EMF
electromotive force
EMS
Environmental Management Systems
EMS
Emergency Medical Service
EMT
Emergency Medical Technician
EMTC
Extinguisher Manufacturers’ Technical Committee
EMU
electro-magnetic unit
EN
European Standard (Norme)
ENRICH
European Network for Research in Global Change
ENV
European Pre-standard
EOD
Explosive Ordnance Disposal
EOS
Egyptian Organisation for Standardisation & Quality Control
EOTA
European Organisation for Technical Approvals
EOTC
European Organisation for Testing & Certification
EP
European Parliament
EPA
US Environmental Protection Agency
EPAQS
Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards
EPC
Emergency Planning College
EPEAT
Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool
EPF
European Polymer Federation
EPFA
European Phenolic Foam Association
EPIC
Engineered Panels in Construction
EPS
Expanded Polystyrene
EPSRC
Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council
EQM
European Quality Mark
ERA
Electrical Research Association
ERM
European Risk Managment (Group)
ERP
Effective Radiative Power
ES
European Specification
ESA
European Space Agency
ESCAG
European Safety Certification Agreement Group
ESFR
Early Suppression Fast Response (sprinkler)
ESI
Ethiopian Standards Institution
ESM
Emergency Services Manager
ESU
electrostatic units
ESU
Evacuation Signal Unit
ETA
European Technical Approval
ETB
Engineering and Technology Board
ETCI
Electro-Technical Council of Ireland
ETD
Extension Trunk Dialling network
ETSI
European Telecommunications Standards Institute
EU
European Union
EU
EURONORM
EU Directives
European Directives
EUFAC
European Upholstered Furniture Action Council
EURALARM
Assocn. of European Manufacturers of Fire & Intruder Alarm Systems
EURATOM
European Atomic Energy Commission
EUREKA
European project on fires in tunnels
EUREFIC
European Reaction to Fire Classification
EURISOL
UK Mineral Wool Association
EUROFEU
European Committee of the Manufacturers of Fire Protection & Safety Equipment & Fire Fighting Vehicles
EURONORM
European Committee for Iron & Steel Standardisation
EvacSim
evaluation simulation model
EVA
Poly-ethyl-co-vinyl acetate
EVD
Electronic Vibration Detector
EWIA
External Wall Insulation Association
EXIT89
evacuation model for high-rise buildings
EXODUS
simulation model for large-scale evacuation from transport

F

F
Fahrenheit
F-K
Frank-Kamenetskii (model of thermal ignition)
F&W
foam & water deluge systems
FAA
Federal Aviation Administration, USA
FABIG
Fire And Blast Information Group (SCI)
FAIRFIRE
European research project on small scale test method for foams
FAP
Fire Advisory Panel
FAR
False Alarm Rate
FASS
Federation of Associations & Sub-Contractors
FAST
Fire & Smoke Transport, computer zone model at BFRL, NIST
FASTLite
BFRL zone model
FB
Fire brigade
FBCs
fluidized bed combustors
FBS
Fire Brigade Society
FBU
Fire Brigades Union
FC
perfluorocarbon
FCDG
Fire Chemistry Discussion Group
FCRC
Fire Code Reform Centre Ltd, Australia
FDA
Fire Defence Agency, Japan
FDIC
Fire Dept. Instructor's Conference
FDMS
Final Draft International Standard
FDMS
Fire Data Management System
FDR1
Fire Damage Report Form 1 (Home Office)
FDS
Fire detection system
FEANI/BNCIEA
Federation of European National Associations of Engineers
FEI
Federation of the Electronics Industry
FEI
Fixed Extinguishing Installations
FEHM
Fire & Explosion Hazard Management
FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency, USA
FEP
fluorinated ethylene propylene
FES
Fire engineering solution
FETA
Fire Extinguishing Trades Association
FETG
Fire & Explosions Technical Group (FABIG)
FEU
Fire Experimental Unit (Home Office)
FFFP
Film forming fluoroprotein foam
FFFP-AR
Alcohol resistant film forming fluoroprotein foam
FFSK
Frequency Fast Shift Keying
FFVMA
Fire Fighting Vehicle Manufacturers' Association
FGAN
Fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate
FHA
fire hazard analysis
FHAM
Fire Hazard Assessment Methodology
FIA
Fibre-optic Industry Association
FIA
Fire Industry Association
FIBCs
flexible intermediate bulk containers
FIC
Fire Industry Council
FIDOR
Fibre Building Board Organisation now: WPPF
FIG UK
Fire Information Group, UK
FILB
Fire Industry Lead Body
FINDS
Fire Information National Data Service (CACFOA)
FIPEC
Fire Performance of Electric Cables
FIRA
Furniture Industries Research Association
FIRAS
Fire Resistant Glazing Accreditation Scheme
FIRE
Fire Simulation Program
FIRECALC
fire zone model (DBCE, CSIRO Australia)
FIRECAM
Fire Risk Evaluation & Cost Assessment Model (IRC Canada)
FIRECODE
fire safety guidance in health care premises (NHS Estates)
Fire Codes
Codes on fire safety produced by the NFPA, USA
FIREDOC
fire bibliographic database (BFRL, NIST, USA)
FIREFORM
Fire formulae
Firepoint
lowest temp. at which the rate of supply of fuel vapours can sustain a flame
FIRESA
Fire and Rescue Suppliers Association
FireTrap
fire extinguishing system for dustbin fires
FIRST
fire model at BFRL, NIST
FIRTO
Fire Insurers' Research & Testing Organisation
FISS
Fire Insurance Surveyors Society
FIU
Fire Investigation Unit (Forensic Science Service)
F-K
Frank-Kamenetskii (model of thermal ignition)
FLACS
computer program for predicting explosion pressures in congested modules
FLAIR
Fire research Library Automated Information Retrieval system (FRS db.)
Flashpoint
lowest temp. at which ignition source will cause a flame to flash
FLB
Fire Loss Bureau
FLED
fire load energy density
FLIR
Forward Looking Infrared sensing technology
FLOVENT
simulation tool for CFD
FLOW3D
fire field model
FLP
Fire Liaison Panel
FM
Factory Mutual (USA)
FMEA
Factory Mutual Engineering Association
FMEA
Failure Modes & Effects Analysis
FMG
Frequency Management Group
FMI
Factory Mutual International
FMRC
Factory Mutual Research Corp. USA
FMW
fractional molecular weight
FNO
Fixed Network Operators
FOBFO
Federation of British Fire Organisations
FOC
Fire Offices' Committee
FoE
floor of origin (of fire)
FORUM
International Forum for Co-operation on Fire Research was: IFCOFR
FOSI / IOSO
Fires of Special Interest / Incidents of Special Interest
FP
Fire Prevention
FP
fluoroprotein (foam concentrate)
FPA
Fire Protection Association
FPA 1971
Fire Protection Act 1971
FPASA
Fire Protection Association of South Africa
FPC
Fire Prevention Code
FPC
Flexible Printed Circuit
FPCA
Fire Protection Canada Association
FPETOOL
Fire Protection Engineering Tool - fire model
FPF
Fire Protection Federation
FPL
Forest Products Laboratory
FPN
Fire Practice Note (Firecode)
FPO
Fire Prevention Officer
FPS
Fire Protection System
FR
fire resistance / fire resistant
FR
fire retardant
FRA
Fire and Rescue Authority
FRAM
Flow Rate Assumption Method
FRCA
Fire Retardant Chemicals Association
FRDG
Fire Research & Development Group (Home Office)
FRED
Fire, Release, Explosion, Dispersion (Shell hazard analysis model)
FREM
fire risk evaluation model (software package)
FRGGSA
Fire Resistant Glass & Glazed Systems Association
FRIM
Forestry Research Institute of Malaysia
FRIS
Fire Research Information Service (BFRL, NIST)
FRN
Fire Research Note (FRS publications series)
FRNT
Front Office Directory
FROSI
Fire Research Organisation Special Investigation Report
FRP
fibre reinforced plastic
FRS
Fire Research Station (BRE)
FRSUG
Fire and Rescue Statistics User Group
FRT
fire retardant treated
FS
fire safety
FS
Fire Service
FSAB
Fire Services Awarding Body
FSAB
Fire Surveyors Association of Bristol
FSB
Federation of Small Businesses
FSC
Federation of Security Companies
FSC
Fire Service Circular
FSC
Fire Service College
FSDG
Fire Safety Development Group
FSE
Fire Safety Engineering
FSE
full scale enclosure
FSEB
Fire Services Examination Board
FSEPD
Fire Service & Emergency Planning Div. (Scottish Office)
FSES
Fire Safety Evaluation System
FSF
Fire Sector Federation
FSI
Fire Service Inspectorate (Home Office)
FSI
Fire Services Institute (Washington DC)
FSJ
Fire Safety Journal
FSM
Fire Safety Manual (Home Office) was Manual of Firemanship
FSNBO
Fire Services National Benevolent Fund
FSNMT
Fire Services National Museum Trust
FSO
Fire Safety Officer
FSO
Fire Safety Order
FSPG
Fire Services Preservation Group
FSRTT
Fire Service Research Training Trust
FSS
Fire safety science
FSS
Forensic Science Service
FSSC
Fire Service Staff College, Dorking (now part of FSC, Moreton)
FssU
Fire Services Unit (Home Office)
FST
Fire Safety Technology
FSTM
Fire Safety Technology & Management (degree course)
FSTM
Fire Service Training Manual (Home Office)
FSUK
Fire Statistics United Kingdom (HO publication)
FTIR
Fourier Transformed Infrared (spectroscopy)
FTO
Fire Training Organisation Ltd
FTSG
Fire Test Study Group
FTT
Fire Testing Technology Ltd
FV
finite volume
F&W
foam & water deluge systems
FWSS
Foam-Water Sprinkler Systems
FWW
Fire-Worldwide (CD-ROM)

G

GAI
Guild of Architectural Ironmongers
GASMAL
decision-support system for evacuation (plots toxic substances)
GBH
GBH International Fire Consultants
GC
gas chromatography
Gcs
gravity currents
GEEJIP
gas explosion engineering joint industry project
Geocode
Assignment of a specific grid reference to an incident or address etc
GER
global equivalence ratio
GFGO
Group Fire Control Officer
GGERM
Generalised Global Equivalence Ratio Model
GGF
Glass & Glazing Federation
GIC
General Insurance Council
GIS
Geographical Information Systems
GLC
Greater London Council
GLTA
Glued Laminated Timber Association
GOST
CIS State Committee for Standards
GPCTSI
Groupement Professionnel des Conseillers Techniques en Securite Incendie
GPM
Gallon(s) per minute
GPS
Global Positioning System
GRC
glass-fibre reinforced cement
GSA
General Services Administration, USA
GSB
Ghana Standards Board
GSM
Global Systems for Mobile communications
GTPS
Government Telephone Preference Scheme
GUFFS
general User Friendly Fire Solver
GVW(R)
Gross Vehicle Weight (Rating)
GWFI
Glow Wire Flammability Index
GWIT
Glow Wire Ignition Temperature
GWP
Global Warming Potential
GWT
Glow Wire Test

H

H
Hydrogen
HAD
Heat-actuated device
HAG
Halon Alternative Group
HAMTIE
Heat, air & moisture transfer through insulation envelope
HARC
Halon Alternatives Research Council
HARWELL-FLOW3D
fluid dynamics model
HAZAN
Hazard analysis
HAZARD 1
fire model of BFRL, NIST
HAZCHEM
Hazardous Chemicals
HAZID
Hazard Identification (Study)
HazMat
Hazardous materials
HAZOP
Hazard and Operability (Study)
HBCD
Hexabromocyclododecane 25637-99-4
HBCDD
HBCD
Hbr
hydrogen bromide
HC
hydrofluorocarbon
HCFCS
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons
HCI
hydrochloric acid
Hcl
hydrogen chloride
HCN
hydrogen cyanide (hydrocyanic acid)
HCR
hydrocarbon releases
HD oil
heavy duty oil
HDPE
high density polythene
HDT
Heat Deflection Temperature
HELA
Local Authority Enforcement Liaison Committee
HEVAC
Heating, Ventilating & Air Conditioning Manufacturers' Association
HF
hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid)
HFC
hydrofluorocarbon fire-fighting agent
HFFR
Halogen-Free Flame Retardant
HFM
Holz Forshungs Institut
HGV
heavy goods vehicle
HIPS
High Impact Polystyrene
HIPS
High Integrity Protection Systems
HMCIFS
Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services
HMEP
Hazardous Materials & Environmental Protection
HMFSI
Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate
HMIP
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution now: Environment Agency of DETR
HMN
hydrocarbon monitoring network
HMO(s)
house(s) in multiple occupation
HMSO
Her Majesty's Stationery Office now: TSO
HO
Home Office (UK)
HOCAP
Home Office Communication Advisory Panel
HOFMG
Home Office Frequency Management Group
HOUEM
Home Office Unit for Educational Methods
HPR
Highly Protected Risk
HRPU
High Resilience Polyurethane
HRR
heat release rate
HSC
Health and Safety Commission
HSE
Heath & Safety Executive
HSE(M)
Heath & Safety Executive (Mining)
HSS
hollow structural section
HSSD
high sensitivity smoke detector system
HTM
Health Technical Memorandum (Firecodes)
HTN
High Temperature Nylon
HTPB
hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene
HUNC
Halon Users' National Consortium
HVAC
heating, ventilating & air conditioning
HVCA
Heating & Ventilating Contractors Association
HWI
Hazardous Waste Inspectorate (of DoE) now: Environment Agency
HX
High expansion foam
Hz
Hertz (unit of frequency)

I

I&EC
Industrial and Engineering Chemistry (journal)
IAAI
International Association of Arson Investigators
IAC
Industrial Advisory Council
IAEA
International Atomic Energy Agency
IAFC
International Association of Fire Chiefs, USA
IAFF
International Association of Fire Fighters
IAFSS
International Association for Fire Safety Science
IAQ
indoor air quality
IBBC
Instituut voor Boumaterialen en Bouconstructies
IBC
Institute of Building Control
IBC Code
International code for construction & equipment of ships carrying dangerous chemicals in bulk (under SOLAS)
IBCO
Institute of Building Control Officers
IBN
Institut Belge de Nomalisation
IBUM
Institut fur Baustofkunde Und Materialprufung (Hannover)
ICAL
Intermediate Scale Calorimeter
ICAO
International Civil Aviation Association
ICARUS
Injuries Caused by Radiation Upon the Skin (computer code)
ICBU
International Conference of Building Officials (USA)
ICC
International Code Council
ICCS
Integrated Communications Control System
ICDDS
Institute of Civil Defence & Disaster Studies
ICE
Institution of Civil Engineers
ICEL
Industry Committee for Emergency Lighting
ICFOA
Irish Chief Fire Officers' Association
IChemE
Institution of Chemical Engineers
ICONTEC
Instituto Colombiano de Normas Tecnicas (Columbia)
IcorST
Institute of Corrosion Sciences Technology
ICS
Institute of Chartered Surveyors
ICS
International Classification for Standards
ICSD
Ionisation Chamber Smoke Detector
ICU
Incident Control Unit
ICV
Irregular control volume
IEA
International Energy Agency
IEAust
Institution of Engineers Australia
I&EC
Industrial and Engineering Chemistry (journal)
IEC
International Electrotechnical Commission
IEC
Improvised Explosive Device
IEE
Institution of Electrical Engineers
IEEE
Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers Inc. (USA)
IEM
Interaction-by-Exchange-with-the-Mean model
IES
Institute for Environment and Sustainability
IFBEEI
International Fire Protection Engineering Institute
IFCOFR
International Forum for Co-operation on Fire Research, now: FORUM
IFE
Institution of Fire Engineers
IFEDA
Independent Fire Engineering & Distributors Association
IFFF
International Fire Fighter Fellowship
IFPA
Industrial Fire Protection Association
IFPEI
International Fire Protection Engineering Institute
IFPO
Institute of Fire Prevention Officers
IFRF
International Flame Research Foundation
IMechE
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
IFS
Institute of Fire Safety
IFSA
Intumescent Fire Seals Association
IFSAC
International Fire Service Accreditation Congress
IFSEI
International Fire Safety Engineering Institute
IFSI
Illinois Fire Service Institute
IFSM
Institute of Fire Safety Managers
IFSTA
International Fire Services Training Association
IFWS
Informative Fire Warning System
IGC Code
International code for construction & equipment of ships carrying liquified gases in bulk (under SOLAS)
IGPCC
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
IHSM
Institute of Hotel Security Managers
IIRS
Institute for Industrial Research & Standards (Ireland)
IIRSM
International Institute of Risk & Safety Management
IISEC
International Institute of Security
IKP
invariant kinetic parameters
ILAB
Irish Laboratory Accreditation Board
ILAC
International Laboratory Accreditation Conference
ILB
Industry Lead Body
ILGA
Institute of Local Government Association
ILI
Infonorme London Information (International Standards sales)
IMBB
Institut fur Massivbau, Baustoffe & Brandschutz
IMCO
Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation now: IMO
IMO
International Maritime Organisation (was: IMCO
INAPI
Institut algerien de normalisation et de propriete industrielle
InFIRE
International Network for Fire Information and Reference Exchange
InFiReS
Insurers’ Fire Research Strategy Funding Scheme
Infonorme
London Information (International standards sales)
INIA
Instituto Nacional de investiaciones Agrarias (Lab. de Fuego Del)
Inmarsat
International Maritime Satellite Organisation
INN
Instituto Nacional de Normalizacifn
INNORPI
Institut nacional de la normalisation et de la propiete industrielle
IOH
Institute of Housing
IOSH
Institution of Occupational Safety & Health
IP
Information Paper (series of publications from FRS)
IP
Institute of Petroleum
IP
International Protection (degrees of electrical protection in BSI & IEC standards)
IPCS
Institutution of Professional Civil Servants now: IPMS
IPCS
International Programme on Chemical Safety
IPDS
Integrated Personal Development System
IPMS
Institution of Professionals, Managers & Specialists was: IPCS
IPPC
Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control
IPQ
Instituto Portuguas da Qualidade
IPSA
International Professional Security Association
IPT
Iron pipe thread
IQA
Institute of Quality Assurance
IR
infrared
IR crew
interregional wildland fire suppression crew
IRAM
Instituto Argentino de Racionalizacifn de Materiales
IRANOR
Instituto Espagnol de Normalizacion
IRC
Institute for Research in Construction, NRC Canada
IRM
Institute of Risk Management
IRMP
Integrated Risk Management Plan
IRRG
Insurance & Reinsurance Research Group Ltd
IRS
Institut Roumain de Normalisation
IRTU
International Road Transport Union
IS
Intrinsically Safe equipment
ISC
International Safety Council
ISDN
Integrated Services Data Network
ISE
Institution of Structural Engineers
ISI
Indian Standards Institution
ISI
Inspectorate of the Security Industry
ISIRI
Institute of Standards & Industrial Research of Iran
ISM
International Safety Management
ISO
International Standards Organization
ISO/CD
ISO Committee Draft
ISO/DIS
ISO Draft International Standard
ISO/DTR
ISO Draft Technical Report
ISO/IEC
Joint ISO/IEC standard
ISO/R
ISO Recommendation
ISO/SC
ISO Subcommittee
ISO/TC
ISO Technical Committee
ISO/TEC ISP
Joint ISO/IEC International Standardized Profile
ISO/TMB
ISO Technical Management Board
ISO/TR
ISO Technical Report
ISP
International Standardized Profile
ISPEMA
Industrial Safety (Protective Equipment) Manufacturers' Association
ISS
Insurance Surveyors Society
ISSeP
Institute Scientifique de Belgique
IstructE
Institution of Structural Engineers
IT
Information Technology
ITA
Industry Technical Agreement
ITB
Insurance Technical Bureau
ITINTEC
Instituto de Investigacion Tecnologica Industrial y de Normas Tecnicas
ITSA
Institute of Trading Standards Administration
IWA
International Workshop Agreement
IWGFM
Interagency Working Group on Fire & Materials, USA
IWS
International Wool Secretariat

J

J
Joule(s) (unit of work, or energy)
JAFSE
Japan Association of Fire Science & Engineering
JASMINE
(J) Analysis of Smoke Movement in Enclosures (FRS fire model )
JBS
Jamaica Bureau of Standards
JCACR
Joint Committee on the Audit Commission Report (In the Line of Fire)
JCAEU
Joint Committee on Appliances, Equipment & Uniform (Home Office)
JCC
Joint Committee on Fire Brigade Communications (Home Office)
JCDD
Joint Committee on Design & Development (Home Office)
JCFBO
Joint Committee on Fire Brigade Operations, HO (also JCFO)
JCFO
see: JCFBO
JCFR
Joint Committee on Fire Research (Home Office)
JET
Joint European Taurus Project
JFPA
Japanese Fire Protection Association
JFRO
see: JOFRO
JIB
Joint Industry Board
JISC
Japanese Industrial Standards Committee
JIVE
Jet-fire Interaction with VEssels containing pressurised liquids
JOFRO
Joint Fire Research Organisation (now: FRS)
JSA
Japanese Standards Association
JSIC
Joint Security Industry Council
JSTOPT
Joint Strategic Committee on Operational Practices & Technology (HO)
JTC
Joint Training Committee (Home Office)
JTC
Joint Technical Committee

K

K&R
Kidnap & Ransom (insurance)
KBS
Bureau of Standards, South Korea
KEBS
Kenya Bureau of Standards
KFPA
Korean Fire Protection Association
KSA
Komiteti I mimeve dhei Standardeve Albania

L

LA
local authority
LABC
Local Authority Building Control
LAD
long-wave acoustical disturbance
LAHMOS
local authority houses in multiple occupation survey
LAN
Local Area Network
LAPI
Laboratorio Prevenzione Incendi
LAVENT
Link Activated VENT (fire model of BFRL, NIST)
LBTF
Large Building Test Facility (Cardington)
LC50
lethal concentration
LDSA
London District Surveyors' Association
LDV
laser Doppler velocimeter
LED
light-emitting dioxide
LEL
lower explosibility limit
LEM
Linear Eddy Model
LEMA
Law Enforcement Manufacturers' Association
LENAS
model code for finite element ?
LES
Large Eddy Simulation (model)
LFB
London Fire Brigade
LFCDA
London Fire & Civil Defence Authority
LFEPA
London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority
LFL
lower flammability limit
LFR
laminar flow reactors
LFSAP
Life & Fire Safety Accreditation Programme (Australia)
LGA
Local Government Association
LGAI
Laboratori General d'Assaigs I Investigacions
LGC
Laboratory of the Government Chemist
LI
London Information see: ILI
LICOF
Laboratorio de Investigation y Control del Fuego
LIDAR
light analogy of radar
LIF
Lighting Industry Federation
LIFT
lateral ignition & flame spread test
LII
laser-induced incandescence
LISP
Large Insulated Sandwich Panels (sometimes called Light ISP)
LISS
Ligue Internationale des Societes de Surveillance
LLL
low location lighting
LLTV
Low Light TV
LNG
liquified natural gas
LNGC
Laboratoire National du Genie Civil
LOI
Limiting Oxygen Index
LOPA
Layers of Protection Analysis
LPC
Loss Prevention Council
LPCB
Loss Prevention Certification Board
LPG (or LP gas)
liquified petroleum gas
LPS
large panel structures
LPS
Loss Prevention Standards (of LPC)
LRQA
Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance Ltd
LRT
London Regional Transport
LSC
Life Safety Code (NFPA Code 101)
LSC
large-scale tests
LSF0H
Low Smoke – Flame Retardant – Zero Halogen
LSPR
life safety points rating system (on hotel life safety)
LUL
London Underground Ltd
LUTVDG
Lund University Inst. of Technology Dept. of Fire Safety Engineering
LVL
laminated veneer lumber
LWC
lightweight concrete
LX
Low expansion foam
LYSSO
Libyan Standards & Patent Section

M

MAC
Manual Alarm Callpoint
MAC
maximum allowable concentration
MAC
Medium access control
MACE
Research Centre for Materials & the Constructed Environment
MAIB
Marine Accident Investigation Branch (of DOT)
MAPP
Major Accident Prevention Policy
MAPP
a gas or liquid mix of methylacetylene, propadiene & hydrogen gases
MAS
Major Accident Scenario
MaTSU
Marine Technology Support Unit
MATTE
Major Accident to the Environment
MBMS
molecular-beam mass-spectrometer sampling
MC
Melamine Cyanurate
MCA
Maritime Coastguard Agency
MCPP
Medium-chain Chlorinated Paraffins 85535-85-8
MCSOII
Multiple Cause System Oriented Incident Investigation
MCRMA
Metal Cladding & Roofing Manufacturers' Association
MD
Marine Directorate (DoT)
MDH
Magnesium Hydroxide 1309-42-8
MECS
Mining Equipment Certification Service
MEL
maximum exposure limits
MERGE
Modelling & Experimental Research into Gas Explosions
MESG
Maximum Experimental Safe Gap
Met-L-X powder
dry powder extinguishing agent (trade name)
MFB
Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Melbourne
MFISS
Manchester Fire Insurance Surveyors Society
MHD
magnetohydrodynamics
MHIDAS
Major Hazard Incident Data Service
MIC
methyl isocyanate
MIG
Metals Information Group
MILSTAN
Military standard
MIS
Management Information Systems
MLA
Master Locksmiths Association
MoD
Ministry of Defence
MoE
means of escape
MOE
modulus of elasticity
MOF
Manual of Firemanship (Home Office) now: Fire Safety Manual
MOR
modulus of rupture
MoU
Memorandum of Understanding
MPC
maximum permissible concentration
MPD
maximum permissible dose
MPMA
Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association
MPP
Melamine Polyphosphate
MRA
microbiological risk assessment
MSA
type of breathing apparatus (trade name)
MSC
State Committee for Prices & Standards of Mongolian People's Republic
MSDGR
Merchant Shipping Dangerous Goods Regulations
MSZH
Magyar Szabv Dny Ogyi Hivatal (Hungarian Standards Organisation)
MTFs
modulation transfer functions
MTFVIP
Memorial Tunnel Fire Ventilation Test Program
MUITM
mock-up ignition test method
MVAs
Motor Vehicle Accidents
MX
Medium expansion foam

N

N2O
nitrous oxide
NACB
National Accreditation of Certification Bodies
NACCB
National Accreditation Council for Certification Bodies
NACOSS
National Approval Council for Security Systems
NAD
national application document
NADOR
Notification of Accidents & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1980
NAFED
National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors
NAFI
National Association of Fire Investigators
NAFO
National Association of Fire Officers
NAHFO
National Association of Hospital Fire Officers
NAIB
National Accreditation of Inspection Bodies
NALM
National Association of Lift Makers
NAMAS
National Measurement Accreditation Service
NAO
National Audit Office
NASA
National Aeronautics & Space Administration
NASA
National Automatic Sprinkler Association
NASH
National Association for Safety in the Home
NATA
National Accreditation & Testing Authority, Australia
NATA
National Australian Testing Association
NATLAS
National Testing Laboratory Accreditation Scheme
NAW
National Assembly of Wales
NBC
National Building Code
NBCC
National Building Code of Canada
NBF
Norsk Brannvern Forening
NBI
Norwegian Building Institute
NBL
Norwegian Fire Laboratory
NBPI
National Brandpreventie Instituut
NBS
National Bureau of Standards, USA. now: NIST
NBTC
National Building Technology Centre, CSIRO Australia
NCB
National Coal Board
NCBMP
National Council of Building Materials Producers
NCEC
National Chemical Emergency Centre
NCG
National Contractors Group
NCVQ
National Council for Vocational Qualifications
NDA
Nuclear Design Associates
NEBOSH
National Examination Board in Occupational Safety & Health
NEC
National Electrical Code (of the NFPA)
NEC
Nederlands Elektrotechnisch Comite
NEISS
Data Highlights
NEMA
National Electrical Manufacturers Association
NETC
National Emergency Training Center, USA
NETCEN
National Environmental Technology Centre
NF
(Mark of AFNOR)
NF
National Framework
NFBE
Newfoundland Offshore Burn Experiment
NFC
National Fire Code (NFPA)
NFCC
National Fire Code of Canada
NFL
National Fire Laboratory, IRC, NRC Canada
NFPA
National Fire Protection Association, USA
NFS
National Fire Service
NFSA
National Fire Sprinkler Association Inc. USA
NFSN
National Fire Sprinkler Network
NFSSC
National Fire Safety Specifications Council
NGO
Non-Governmental Organization
NHBC
National Home Builders Council
NHS Estates
National Heath Service (publications agency)
NHTPC
National Housing & Town Planning Council
NI FSP
Northern Ireland Fire Safety Panel
NIA
Northern Ireland Assembly
NICEIC
National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting
NIOSH
National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health
NIST
National Institute of Standards & Testing, USA (was: NBS)
NJC
National Joint Council
NKO
Nederlandse Kalibratie Organisatie
NMHC
National Materials Handling Centre
NMI
N-Methylimidazole
NMS
National Measurement Service
NNI
Nederlands Normalisatie Instituut
NOU
Network Operations Unit
Nox
oxides of nitrogen
NPB
National Procurement Board
NPL
National Physical Laboratory
NPP
Nuclear power plant
NPS
National Procurement Strategy
NPSH
net positive suction head
NPV
negative pressure ventilation
NRA
National Rivers Authority now: Environment Agency of DETR
NRCC
National Research Council Canada
NRDC
National Research & Development Council (now: BTG)
NRPB
National Radiological Protection Board
NRW
Natural Resources Wales
NSAI
National Standards Authority of Ireland
NSB
National Standards Bodies
NSC
National Safety Council
NSCIA
National Supervisory Council for Intruder Alarms now: NACOSS
NSF
Norges Standardiseringsforbund
NSHES
Natural Smoke & Heat Exhaust Systems
NT
NordTest (Nordic fire tests)
NTECEN
National Environment Technology Centre
NTP
normal temperature & pressure
NVBB/ANPI
see: ANPI/NVBB
NVBC
Nederlands Vereniging van Brandweercommandanten
NVQ
National Vocational Qualification
NWC
normal weight concrete
NYFS
New York State Academy of Fire Sciences

O

O2
oxygen
OAC
Operator Assistance Centre
OAP
One-step Approval Procedure
OBD
optical beam detectors
OBDE
Octabromodiphenyl Ether 32536-52-0
OC
open cup
OCCA
Oil & Colour Chemists Association
ODA
Open Document Architecture
ODM
Outside diameter of a male thread
ODP
Ozone-Depleting Potential
ODS
oxygen depletion sensor
OELs
Occupational Exposure Limits
OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer
OFPA
Occupational Fire Protection Association
OFTEL
Office of Fair Trading for Telecommunications
OHS
Occupational Health & Safety
OIA
Oil Industries Association
OJ
Official Journal (of the EC)
OJEC
Official Journal of the European Communities
OJT
On the Job Training (USA)
ON
Osterreichisches Normungsinstitut
OP
Occasional Paper (FRS/BRE)
OSB
oriented strand board
OSH
Occupational Safety & Health
OSI
Occupational Stress Indicator
OSU
Ohio State University
OTFM
Office of the Fire Marshall, Toronto

P

P.1-5
fire precautions leaflets from PSA/DoE, 1960-75
PA
Paintmakers Association of Gt Britain Ltd
PA
Personal Attack
PA
Polyamide
PAC
Product Assessmnet Criteria
PACE
Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984
PACE
Property Advisers Civil Estate
PAL
Programmable Array Logic
PALOME
project on numerical simulation of fires at VTT, Finland
PAM
Pressure Assumption Method
PAS
Product Assessment Specification
PAS
Publicly Available Specification
PAXPORT
airport terminal simulation model
PB
purpose built
PBBs
polybrominated biphenyls
PBC
Performance-based codes
PBDD
polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins
PBDE
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in General
PBFSD
Performance-based fire safety design
PBI
synthetic fabric for protective clothing
PBT
Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic
PBT
Polybutyleneterephthalat
PC
perfluorocarbon
PC
personal computer
PC
Polycarbonate
PCB
Professional Certification Board
PCBs
polychlorinated biphenyls
PCDD
polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins
PCNs
Personal Communications Networks
PCP
pentachlorophenol
PCS
Personal Communications Systems
PCT
Pressure Cooker Test
PD
point type detectors
PD
Probability of Detection
PD
Published Document
PDA
Pre-Determined Attendance
PDAC
Product Design Advice Centre
PDH(s)
private dwelling house(s)
PE
professional engineer
PECS
Public Emergency Call Service
PED
Pressure Equipment Directive
PEDROUTE
pedestrian simulation package
PEEP
Personal Emergency Egress Plan
PEL
Permissable Exposure Limit
PER
pentaerythritol
PERA
Product Engineering Research Association
PERINORM
BSI Tri-lingual information on standards
PET
Polyethyleneterephthalat
PF
Practitioners’ Forum
PFC
perfluorocarbon fire-fighting agent
PFEER
Prevention of Fire & Explosion & Emergency Response Regulations
PFI
Public Finance Initiative
PFIA
Polyethylene Foam Insulation Association
PFOS
Perfluorooctane Sulfonate
PFP
passive fire protection
PFPF
Passive Fire Protection Federation
PFPIA
Passive Fire Protection Association of Ireland
PFTF
Pool Fire Test Facility
pH
measure of the degree of acidity
PH
Property Holdings
PHAs
polyhydroxylalkanoates
PHAST
fire model, at SP, Sweden
PHIGS
Programmers Hierarchical Interactive Graphics System
PHOENICS-VR
computer model simulating fluid flow
PIA
Partitioning Industry Association
PICs
products of incomplete combustion
PICS
Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement
PIN
Personal Identification Number
PIN
Phosphorus Inorganic Nitrogen
PINFA
Phosphorus Nitrogen and Inorganic Flame Retardants Association
PINX
Private Integrated Services Network Exchange
PIR
Passive Infra Red
PIR
polyisocyanurate (foam)
PIV
Particle Image Velocimetry
PIV
Post indicator valve
PKNMiJ
Polish Committee for Standardisation, Measures & Quality Control
PKP
Purple-k-powder
PLS
partial least squares (in FTIR)
PLUS
Private Listing Updating Service
PMMA
polymethyl methacrylate
PMR
Private Mobile Radio
PNGS
Papua New Guinea Standards
POCSAG
Post Office Code Standard Advisory Group
POD
Print on demand
POMSTER
Placing on the Market & Supervision of Transfer of Explosives Regs.
POSIX
Portable Operating Systems Interfaces based on Unix
PP
BS education publications
PP
polypropylene
PPE
personal protective equipment
PPO
Polypheneylene Oxide
PPS
polyphenylene sulphide
PPV
positive pressure ventilation
PQ
Parliamentary Question
PQ
Primary Questionnaire
Pr
Prandtl number
prA
Draft European amendment
PRA
Paint Research Association
PREMIX
computer program to model a stoichiometric CC14-CH14-air flat flame
prEN
Draft European Standard
prENV
Draft European PreStandard
PREST
Programme for Policy Review in Engineering Science & Technology
prETS
draft European Telecommunications Standard
PS
polystyrene
PSA
Police Superintendents Association
PSA
Products Standards Agency
PSA
Property Services Agency (part of DoE in 1970s & 1980s)
PSA
Public Service Agreement
PSBr
brominated polystyrenes
PSC1
chlorinated polystyrenes
PSF
pounds per square foot
PSI
ioninated polystyrenes
PSI
Pakistan Standards Institute
PSI
pound per square inch
PSIA
pound per square inch absolute
PSIG
pounds per square inch gauge
PSPA
Photoluminescent Safety Products Association
PSRCP
Public Safety Radio Communications Project
PSTN
Public Switched Telephone Network
PT-30
phenolic triazine
PTB
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
PTFE
polytetrafluoroethylene
PTO
Public Telecommunications Operator
PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder see also: CISD
PU
polyurethane (foam)
PV
Positive Vetting
PVC
polyvinyl chloride
PWB
Printed Wiring Board (synonymous to Printed Circuit Board)
PWIT
public warning & information by telephone

Q

QA
Quality Assurance
QAS
Quality Assurance Schedule
QC
Quality components
QC
Quality control
QMC
Queen Mary College (Industrial Research Ltd)
QMS
Quality Management Schemes
QRA
Quantified Risk Assessment
QRS
quick response sprinkler
QUANGO
Quasi Autonomous Non-Governmental Organisation
QUASCO
Quality Appraisal Service Co.
QUEST
Quality & Efficiency in Standards

R

R
Reynolds number
r
Roentgen
R&D
research & development
RA
Radiocommunications Agency
RAD
radian
RAD
Radiation Absorbed Dose
RADSIM
Radiation Survey Meter (Simulated)
RAMP
Risk analysis & management for projects
RAPRA
Rubber & Plastics Research Association
RARDE
Royal Armament Research & Development Establishment
RBRT
Racal BR Telecoms Ltd
RC
reinforced concrete
RCEP
Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution
RCM
Remote Controlled Monitor
R&D
research & development
RDG
Rayleigh-Debye-Gans
RDP (or PBDPP)
Resorcinol bis-diphenylphosphate 57583-54-7, 125997-21-9
RDX
Reorcinol bis (dixylenyl phosphate)
REACFLOW
model code for simulation of gas flow
REACH
Recovery And Conditioning for Halon -- Equipment
REACH
Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of CHemicals
RedR
Registered Engineers for Disaster Relief
REDS
Radio Evacuation & Distress Systems
RELIEF
computer model
REM
Roentgen equivalent man
RETU
Finnish research program on reactor safety
RFCPU
Radio Frequency & Communications Planning Unit
RFU
Retained Firefighters Union
RHR
rate of heat release
RHS
rectangular hollow section
RIA
Regulatory Impact Assessment
RJAI
Rolf Jensen & Associates Inc.
RIAI
Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland
RIAS
Royal Institute of Architects of Scotland
RIBA
Royal Institute of British Architects
RIC
Receiver Identity Code
RICS
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
RID
International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail
RIDDOR
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
RIFA
Rail Industry Fire Association
RLSS
Royal Life Saving Society
RMB
Regional Management Board
RMS
root mean square
RNE
Reseau National d'Essais
RoHS
Restriction of certain hazardous substances in electric and electronic equipment
ROM
Read Only Memory
Ro-Ro
roll-on, roll-off ferry
ROS
Rate of spread
ROSE
Remote Operations Service Element
RoSPA
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
RP
Red Phosphorus 7723-14-0
RP
Rule of Procedure
RPM
revolutions per minute
RRA
Release Rate Apparatus
RRO
Regulatory Reform Order
RSA
Residential Sprinkler Association
RSE
reduced scale enclosure
RSI
repetitive strain injury
RSJ
rolled steel joist
RSPA
see: RoSPA
RSUA
Royal Society of Ulster Architects
RT
radio telephony
RTA
Road Traffic Accident
RTI
response time index (for sprinklers)
RTTA
Road Traffic & Transport Telematics
RuO
room of origin (of fire)
RVP
Reid vapour pressure

S

SAA
Standards Association of Australia
SABS
South African Bureau of Standards
SAC
Special Area of Conservation
SAN
Poly-styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer
SANZ
Standards Association of New Zealand
SAQ
Self Administered Questionnaire
SASMO
Syrian Arab Organisation for Standardisation & Metrology
SASO
Saudi Arabian Standards Organisation
SBGI
Society of British Gas Industries
SBI
Single Burning Item
SBS
sick building syndrome
SBS
Small Business Service
SBUF
Swedish fire safety design based on calculations
SBV
Svenska Brandforsvarsforeningen (FPA Sweden)
SCA
Suspended Ceilings Association
SCAMP
Super Critical Air Mobility Pack
SCB
Stichting Certificate Beveiligingsapparatuur
SCBA
self-contained breathing apparatus
SCC
secondary combustion chamber
SCC
Standards Council of Canada
SCC Flat
Self-contained, converted flat
SCFBA
Scottish Fire Brigades Advisory Council
SCHOSA
Standing Council of Heads of Schools of Architecture
SCI
Society of Chemical Industry
SCI
Steel Construction Institute
SCOLA
Standing Council of Architects in Local Authorities
SCOPE
Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment
SCOTVEC
Scottish Vocational Educational Council
SCPP
Short-chain chlorinated paraffins 85535-84-8
SCR
silicon controlled rectifier
SEE
Society of Environmental Engineers
SEL
Safety Engineering Laboratories Inc. (USA)
SEM
scanning electron microscopy
SEPA
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
SERC
Science & Engineering Research Council
SERT
Society of Electronic & Radio Technicians
SEEWIG
South Eastern England Wildfire Information Group
SFPA
Swedish Fire Protection Assoc.
SFPE
Society of Fire Protection Engineers
SFPO
Senior Fire Prevention Officer
SFRS
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
SFS
Suomen Standardisoimislitto
SFSC
Scottish Fire Service Circulars
SFSE
Society of Fire Safety Engineers
SFSO
Senior Fire Safety Officer
SFSTS
Scottish Fire Service Training School
SHC
spontaneous human combustion
SI
Statutory Instruments
SI
Systeme Internationale
SIC
Standard Industrial Classification
SIESO
Society of Industrial Emergency Services Officers
SIG
Security Industries Guild
SII
Standards Institution of Israel
SIL
Safety Integrity Level
SIMM
Single In-Line Memory Module
SIMS
Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy
SIMULEX
computer model for simulating crowd control
SINTEF
Norwegian Fire Research Laboratory
SIRIM
Standards & Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia
SIS
Standardiseringskommissionen i Sverige
SISIR
Singapore Institute of Standards & Industrial Research
SITO
Security Industry Training Organisation
SLFM
Stationary Laminar Flamelet Model
SLSI
Sri Lanka Standards Institution
SMARTFIRE
CFD code & expert system for fire field modelling
SMC
sheet moulding compounds
SMD
Surface Mount Device
SME
small to medium-size enterprise
SME
Societe Modern Electronique
SMMT
Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders
SMOKESIM
computer program on pressurization of buildings
SMS
Safety Management System
SMS
Short Message Service
SNECKS
fire modelling code at Cranfield
SNUR
Significant New Use Rules
SNV
Swiss Association for Standardisation
SO2
sulphur dioxide
SOCBRO
Society of Chief Building Regulations Officers
SOCOs
Scenes of Crime Officers
SOFIE
Simulation Of Fires In Enclosures (CFD model at FRS)
SOLAS
Safety of Life at Sea (international agreement)
SON
Standards Organisation of Nigeria
SOPRO
Sogo Gijutsu Kaihatsu Project ( Fire Safety Engineering project in Japan)
SP
Sveriges Provnings-och Forskningsinstitut (Sweden)
SPAB
Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
sp gr
specific gravity
sp ht
specific height
SPLF
Society for the Protection of Life from Fire
SQW
Segal Quince Wickstrom Ltd
SRD
Safety & Reliability Directorate (of UKAEA)
SRI
Southwest Research Institute, USA
SS
Sectional Specification
SSA
Southern Security Association
SSA
Standing Spending Assessment
SSAIB
Security Systems Alarm Inspection Board
SSCB
Super Small-scale Cookoff Bomb
SSD
Sudanese Standards Dept.
SSI
Security Systems Inspectorate
SSSI
Site of Special Scientific Interest
SSTV
Slow Scan TV
STC
sound-transmission-class
STEP
Standards for the Technical Exchange of Product Data
STIFF
Steel in Fire Forum
STNO
Station Officer
STP
standard temperature & pressure
STRREV
Severn Tunnel road/rail emergency vehicle
STTC
standard time-temperature curve
SVA
Smoke Ventilation Association
SVQ
Scottish Vocational Qualification
SWA
Steel Window Association
SWISS
South Wales Independent Security Specialists Association
SwRI
Southwest Research Institute, USA
SYNDET
synthetic detergent (foam concentrate)
SZS
Savezni zavod za standardizaciju

T

TACS
Technical & Certification Services
TACT
Trauma After Care Trust
TAF
Trade Association Forum
Tag
Tagliabue (cup test)
TAS
Technology Approval Schedule
TASEF
finite element temperature analysis computer program
TANKCAR
computer model for studying effects of fire on rail & highway tankers
TB
Technical Bulletin
TBB (or EH-TBB)
2-Ethylhexyl ester 2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate
TBBPA
Tetrabromobisphenol-A 79-94-7
TBBS
Technische Bureau ter Bevordering van Schadepreventie
TBEP (or TBOEP)
Tris (2-butoxyethyl) phosphate
TBP (or TNBP)
Tri-n-butyl phosphate 126-73-8
TBPH (or BEH-TEBP)
1,2-Ethylhexyl 3,4,5,6-tetrabromo-benzenedicarboxylate or (2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6 tetrabromophtalate
TBR
Technology Basis for Regulation
TC
Technical Committee
TCA
thermogravimetric
TCA
trichloroethane
TCC
Tegliabue closed cup tester
TCDD
tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
TCEP
Tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate 115-96-8
TCL
TRADA Certification Ltd
TCP (or TMPP)
Tricresyl phosphate 1330-78-5
TCPP (or TCIPP)
Tris (chloroiso-propyl) phosphate 13674-84-5
TCVN
Vietnam Standards Organisation
TDCP (or TDCIPP)
Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate 13674-87-8
TDR
Torch & Drill Resistant
TDW
Tactile Danger Warning
TF
Task Force
Tg
Glass transition temperature
TG
thermogravic experiments
TGA
Thermogravimetric Analysis
TH
Tungsten Halogen
THE
Technical Help to Exporters (BSI)
THORP
Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
THPC
tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium chloride [P(CH2OH)4]Cl), an organophosphorus compound combined with a mineral (non-organohalogen) chloride ion (Cl-) which is washed out in the finishing process
TIC
thermal imaging camera
TICA
Thermal Insulation Contractors Association
TifALARP
Tolerable if As Low As Reasonably Practicable
TIG
Technical Information Group
TIMSA
Thermal Insulation Manufacturers & Suppliers Association
TISA
Thai Industrial Standards Institute
TLV
threshold limit value
TMB
trimethoxyboroxine
TMB
trimethylborate
TMB
Technical management board
TIMBOR
fire retardant treatment for wood
TMDB
trimethylol melamine, dicyandiamide & boric acid
TMDP
trimethylol melamine, dicyandiamide & phosphoric acid
TML
Transmanche-Link
TMP
trimethylol melamine with phosphoric acid
TNO
Nederlendse Organisatie voor Toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk
TNT
trinitrotoluene
TOC
Tagliabue open cup
TODS
Telephone Operators Directory System
TOG
Turnout Gear
TOPS
Text Users Emergency Service
TPP (or TPHP)
Triphenyl phosphate 115-86-6
TQM
Total Quality Management
TR
Technical Report (series of ISO)
TRAC
Technical Regulations Application Committee
TRADA
Timber Research & Development Association
TRATEK
Institutet for Trateknisk Forskning (Sweden)
TRS
tough rubber sheathing
TS
Technical Specification
TSCA
US Toxic Substances Control Act
TSE
Tork Standardlari Enstitoso
TSO
The Stationery Office, was: HMSO
TSOL
The Stationery Office Ltd
TTBS
Trinidad & Tobago Bureau of Standards
TTC
time-temperature curve
TTCN
Tree & Tabular Combined Notation
TTF
Timber Trade Federation
TTL
TRADA Technology Ltd
TUC
Trades Union Congress
TUV
Technischer Uberwachungs-Verein
TWA
Taylor Woodrow Anglian (construction system)
TWGBA
Technical Working Group on Breathing Apparatus

U

UBC
Uniform Building Code (USA)
UCB
University of California Berkeley, USA
UEAtc
Union Europeen pour l'Agrement technique dans la construction
UEL
Upper explosive limit
UFC
Uniform Fire Code (USA)
UFL
Upper flammable limit
UHC
unburned hydrocarbons
UHF
ultra high frequency
UKAEA
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
UKAS
United Kingdom Accreditation Service
UKOOA
United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association
UL
Underwriters' Laboratories, USA
ULC
Underwriters' Laboratories Canada
UMCP
University of Maryland at College Park, USA
UNDP
United Nations Development Programme
UNEP
United Nations Environment Programme
UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation
UNI
Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione
UNICE
Union of Industrial & Employers Confederation of Europe
UNIDO
United Nations Industrial Development Organisation
UP
unsaturated polyester
UPS
Uninterruptable Power Supply
UQ
Updating Questionnaire
USCG
United States Coast Guard
USDA
US Dept. Of Agriculture
UTC
unbonded tubular concrete columns
UTE
Union Technique l'Electricite (France)
UV
ultra violet

V

VAHTL
Finnish reactor safety research project
VAT
Value Added Tax
VdE
Verband der Elektroingenieure
VDMA
Verband Maschinenbauanstalten
VdS
Verband der Sachversicherer
VECTOR
scenario-based computer training system for the fire service (FSC)
Vel
velocity
VENTS
computer zone model (BFRL, NIST)
VEP
Visual Evoked Potentials
VESA
Voice Evacuation Safety Approval
VESDA
Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus
VFDB
Vereinigung zur Forderung des Deustchen Brandschutzes, Germany
VHF
very high frequency
VNIIPO
All Russian Research Institute for Fire Protection
VOCs
volatile organic compounds
VOL
value of life
vol
volume
VPS
vacant property security
vPvB
Very persistent, very bioaccumulative
VR
Virtual reality
VRI
vulcanised rubber insulation
VSHA
Swiss Alarm Systems Manufacturers Association
VSL
Van Swinden Laboratory
VTT
Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus, Technical Research Centre, Finland

W

W
Watt(s) unit of electrical power
WAN
Wide Area Network
WARM
Woodburning Appliances Association of Retailers & Manufacturers
WASP
Wide-range Accurate Sprinkler Proportioner
WEEE
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
WFRC
Warrington Fire Research Centre
WFS
Women in the Fire Service
WFSC
World Fire Statistics Centre
WG
Working Group
whp
water horsepower
WICS
Water Industry Certification Scheme
WIN
World Insurance Network
WIRA
Wool Industry Research Association
WIS
Water Industry Specifications
WMFS
Water Mist Fire Suppression Systems
WNYF
With New York Firemen (journal)
WORM
Write Once Read Many times (CD)
WPI
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, USA
WPIFP
Worcester Polytechnic Institute of Fire Protection
WPPF
Wood Panel Products Federation was: FIDOR
WRAP
Work, Rest & Play (a RoSPA journal) now: Safety Express
WRC
Welding Research Council
WSL
Warren Spring Laboratory now: part of NETR
wt
weight
WTA
Wildfire Threat Analysis

X

XPS
Expanded Polystyrene

Y

Y
wye (device used to take 2 smaller lines from one supply line)
YQAF
Yarsley Quality Assured Firms Lrd

Z

ZABS
Zambia Bureau of Standards
Zn
zinc
Zr
zirconium