AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction):

This refers to the person, persons or department having legal control over checking and enforcing applicable codes. This term is generally used in reference to the Fire Services Inspector (Fire Inspector) who has final say on any area of fire protection as it relates to Life Safety and Fire Protection.

Detection:

A Detection devices is a “detector” that senses specific conditions related to a fire and sends this information to the Fire Alarm Panel. Detection devices come in many types, depending on the application and requirements. Some Detection devices commonly used are:

Smoke Detector – Automatically senses products of combustion generated by a fire (smoke).
Heat Detector – Automatically senses heat generated by a fire
Manual Pull Station – Sends a signal to the Fire Alarm Panel when it is manually activated.

EVC (Emergency Voice Communications):

This is an integral part of some Fire Alarm Systems used to aid in communications during a fire condition. At minimum, and EVC system will contain a central microphone (located at the main command location) that can “page” voice messages to speakers throughout the building. The system usually allows manual selection of speakers by area or floor, as well as an “All Call” feature that pages to all speakers. An EVC system can also contain a Fire Fighters Handset system. This system consists of a master handset (located at the main command location) and remote handsets located in area'’ or floors of the building. This allows fire fighters to communicate between the command location and remote area’s and floors in the building.

Exit:

Exit means that part of a means of egress, including doorways, that leads from the floor area it serves, to a separate building, an open public thorough-fare, or an exterior open space protected from fire exposure from the building and having access to an open public thoroughfare. Exits include doors or door-ways leading directly into an exit stair or directly to the outside. In the case of an exit leading to a separate building, exits also include vestibules, walk-ways, bridges and balconies.

Means of Egress:

Means of egress means a continuous path of travel provided for the escape of persons from any point in a building or contained open space to a separate building, an open public thoroughfare, or an exterior open space protected from fire exposure from the building and having access to an open public thoroughfare. Means of egress includes exits and access to exits.

Permit:

A Permit is a document issued by the Building Department allowing work to be performed on a structure. It means that the building department is aware of the work and has viewed and approved such work. This is the method by which the city ensures all work is done to all applicable code and standards.

Saponification:

The act, process, or result, of soap making; conversion into soap; specifically (Chem.), the decomposition of fats and other ethereal salts by alkalies; as, the saponification of ethyl acetate.

Self-Luminescent:

Any emission of light not ascribable directly to incandescence, and therefore occurring at low temperatures, as in phosphorescence and fluorescence or other luminous radiation resulting from vital processes, chemical action, friction, solution, etc. In regards to an Exit Sign, it refers to a sign that requires no electrical power to illuminate. Some types use "glow in the dark" coatings, while others use radioactive elements to excite other compounds to produce light.

Signaling:

A Signaling devices is a device that alerts people that a possible fire condition has been detected by the Fire Alarm Panel. Signaling devices come in many types, depending on the application and requirements. Some Signaling devices commonly used are:

Horn or Bell – Mechanically generates sounds.
Speakers – Generate audio in the form of sounds or voice.
Strobes – Generate a visual indication.

Smoke Alarm:

A smoke alarm (unlike a smoke detector) is a self contained detection and alarm unit. It contains a smoke detector as well as an audible (and sometimes visual) alarm. This device works as stand alone, only requiring a power source (battery or 100VAC).