F
Factory Defaults
A panel Programmer function that allows the user to quickly turn programming parameters back to their factory default setting.
Fail-Safe Lock
An electric lock that automatically unlocks when power is removed from the lock. This allows people to exit the building in an emergency, even during a power outage. This is common on magnetic locks.
Fail-Secure Lock
An electric lock that remains locked without power being present. This is typical in door strikes and electrified exit trim.
False Alarm
An alarm signal initiated without the presence of an emergency. This term is generally used to describe an unwanted alarm condition. A false alarm report is sent by the panel due to a user error, environmental activation, or malfunction of a security device installed in the system. False alarms can be controlled by thoroughly training all users and ensuring that equipment is installed according to the manufacturer recommendations.
False Alarm Reduction
DMP features designed to reduce, if not eliminate, the occurrence of false alarms. These features include the following:
Cross-Zoning
Transmit Delay
Abort Reports
Exit Error
Duress Code
System Recently Alarmed
Two-Button Panic
Remote Annunciation
Fire Verify Zones
Call Waiting Cancel
60-Second Power Up Delay
System Test, Swinger Bypass
Cancel/Verify
False Alarm Question
Fault
A report sent to the monitoring center receiver when a Fire Verify or Cross Zoned zone is tripped once but does not trip a second time to cause an alarm.
Feature Key
A unique alphanumeric code used to enable a specific feature on an XR Series panel.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
A board of five commissioners that regulates all electrical communications systems originating in the United States, including radio, television, facsimile, telegraph, telephone, and cable systems.
Fiber Distribution Data Interface (FDDI)
A 100 Mbps LAN technology that uses a token-passing access method. FDDI uses dual fiber-optic rings.
File Server
In Local Area Networks, a station dedicated to providing file and mass storage services to the other stations on the network.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
A service layer protocol common in the TCP/IP world that is used to copy files between network devices.
Fingerprint Reader
A biometric access control device that verifies users by scanning fingerprints. This can also be used in conjunction with a proximity reader.
Fire Alarm Control Unit (panel)
A system component that receives inputs from automatic and manual fire alarm devices and may supply power to detection devices. The control unit may also provide transfer of power to the notification appliances and transfer condition of relays or devices connected to the unit.
Fire Alarm Output
A specified output on a panel that is turned on any time a fire type zone is placed into an alarm condition. The output is turned off using the Sensor Reset option in the User Menu while no additional Fire type zones are in alarm.
Fire Box
See Manual Pull Station.
Fire Command™ Keypads
A family of DMP keypads designed specifically and UL approved for use on fire systems.
Fire Trouble Output
A specified output on a panel that turns on any time a Fire type zone or any system monitor is placed into a trouble condition, or when a Supervisory type zone is placed into an alarm or trouble condition. The output turns off when all Fire and Supervisory type zones are restored to normal.
Fire Verification
Typically used on smoke detector zones to provide a reset of the panel’s switched auxiliary power or power supply (from where the smoke detectors are powered) and a delayed length of time when the detector needs to trip again before an alarm initiates. DMP panels use this feature to help reduce false alarms.
Fire Verify (FV)
A zone type typically used with smoke detectors that provides a reset, after a fire alarm, of the panel’s switched auxiliary power and two-wire smoke detector zones and a delayed length of time when the detector needs to trip again before an alarm is initiated.
Firewall
A fire resistant wall designed to prevent the horizontal spread of a fire into adjacent areas.
A system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. Firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and software, or a combination of both. Firewalls are frequently used to prevent unauthorized Internet users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially intranets. All messages entering or leaving the intranet pass through the firewall, which examines each message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security criteria.
Fire Zone (FI)
A zone type for powered or mechanical fire detection device(s). Typical applications are for smoke detectors, sprinkler flowswitches, manual pull stations, and beam detectors. Retard, cross zoning, and presignal options are available for the Fire zone type.
Firmware
Software (programs or data) that has been written onto read-only memory (ROM). Firmware is a combination of software and hardware. ROMs, PROMs, and EPROMs that have data or programs recorded on them are firmware.
Fixed Temperature Heat Detector
A thermal sensing device rated at specific temperature to detect and provide signal output.
Flame Detector
A device that detects the infrared, ultraviolet or visible radiation produced by a fire.
Flow Control
The process of adjusting the flow of data from one device to another to ensure that the receiving device can handle all the incoming data. This is particularly important when the sending device is capable of sending data much faster than the receiving device can receive it.
Flowswitch
See Waterflow Switch.
Force Arm
Used with the Auto Arm feature or a keyswitch. This arming option allows the panel to force arm the system and ignore all faulted zones. Zones force armed in a faulted condition are capable of restoring and reporting an alarm if tripped. A Force Armed zones report is sent to the monitoring center receiver if the Bypass Reports option is programmed as YES.
Form “A” Contacts
Single-throw contacts that are normally open. See Normally Open Circuit.
Form “B” Contacts
Single-throw contacts that are normally closed. See Normally Closed Circuit.
Form “C” Contacts
A dry contact, single-pole double-throw (SPDT) relay that provides one common, one normally open, and one normally closed connection. When activated, the normally open side shorts to the common while the normally closed side opens.
Four-Wire Smoke Detector
A smoke detector that initiates an alarm condition on two separate wires (initiating zone) apart from the two power leads.
Frame
A data link structure for conveying information over a transmission medium.
Frequency
The number of complete operations or cycles that take place within a given period of time. The basic unit of frequency is the Hertz (Hz), which is one cycle per second.
Full Duplex
A multiplex system that can simultaneously transmit in both directions on one transmission line.
Fully Armed
A system condition where areas are armed and their zones are active.
Fully Supervised Zone
A zone that reports a short, open, or ground to an alarm receiver.