Unit 8. A fire alarm system

Useful vocabulary

• an unwanted presence – нежелательное присутствие

• dramatically – значительно/существенно

• a multi-occupancy building – многоквартирное здание

• to actuate – приводить в действие/активизировать

• to notify – уведомлять/сообщать

• to summon – собирать/созывать

• a button – кнопка

• to respond to – реагировать/отвечать

• products of combustion – продукты горения

• flame – пламя

• visible – видимый/заметный

• hostile – враждебный

• an appliance – устройство/прибор

• appropriate - соответствующий/должный

• to transmit – передавать

• a prerecorded message – заранее записанное сообщение

Task I. Read the text

An automatic fire alarm system is designed to detect the unwanted presence of fire by monitoring environmental changes associated with combustion. A fire alarm system can vary dramatically in both price and complexity, from a single panel with a detector and sounder in a small commercial property to an addressable fire alarm system in a multi-occupancy building. Systems have to protect both buildings and occupants.

In general, a fire alarm system is classified as either automatically actuated, manually actuated, or both. Automatic fire alarm systems are intended to notify the building occupants to evacuate in the event of a fire or other emergency, report the event in order to summon emergency services, and to prepare the structure and associated systems to control the spread of fire and smoke.

Buttons and manual fire alarm activation are constructed to be readily located (near the exits), identified, and operated. Automatically actuated devices can take many forms intended to respond to any number of detectable physical changes associated with fire: convected thermal energy; heat detector, products of combustion; smoke detector, radiant energy; flame detector, combustion gasses; carbon monoxide detector and release of extinguishing agents; water-flow detector. The newest innovations can use cameras and computer algorithms to analyze the visible effects of fire and movement in applications inappropriate for or hostile to other detection methods.

Evacuation signals may consist of audible or visible appliances with a distinct audible tone or speakers to deliver live or pre-recorded instructions to the occupants. Speakers are automatically actuated by the fire alarm system in a fire event, and selected groups of speakers may transmit one or more prerecorded messages directing the occupants to safety. These messages may be repeated in one or more languages (depending on the type of the place and occasion).

Task II. Define the main idea of the text

1. Fire alarm systems can be manual and automatic.

2. All fire alarm systems include different mechanisms and algorithms for analyzing potential danger.

3. Any fire alarm system is designed to protect buildings and occupants.

Task III. Say if these statements are true or false. If they are false, please, correct them

1. Fire alarm system designs are identical and don’t depend on their location.

2. A fire alarm system is classified as either automatically actuated, manually actuated, or both.

3. Manual fire alarm activation must be constructed to be easily located, identified and operated.

4. Traditional fire detectors use cameras and computer algorithms to analyze the visible effects of fire.

5. Signals provided by fire alarm systems are usually audible.

6. Alarm messages are usually prerecorded.

Task IV. Match the beginnings of the sentence with their ends

1. A fire alarm system is to a. directing to safe exits

2. Systems protect both b. occupants to evacuate

3. The system notifies c. detect presence of fire

4. Automated fire detectors respond d. buildings and occupants

5. Speakers transmit messages e. to changes like smoke

Task V. Try to remember the context where these words were mentioned in the text. Train your memory

unwanted presence monitoring price to protect detection

in the event of fire physical changes associated with fire message

Task VI. Make up correct word combinations

1. to detect a. the spread of fire

2. to monitor b. can take many forms

3. to report to c. extinguishing agents

4. to control d. smoke

5. actuated devices can e. emergency service

6. release of f. physical changes

Task VII. Replace the given word with a synonymous word or word combination from the text. The first letter will help you to guess the right variant

1. a sensor – a d… d. to construct – to d…

2. connected – a… e. to work (about a device) – to o…

3. residents - o… f. to utilize – to u…

Task VIII. Grammar focus. Correct the mistakes if there are any

1. Do you have a fire alarm systems at home?

2. Rain is an extra help for extinguish a fire.

3. Designing fire detectors must carried be carried out by specialists.

4. Methods used for fire extinguishment vary depending on the class of a fire.

5. The sprinkler head was obstruct and no water came out of it.

6. People live in residential occupancies must follow safety rules to ensure safe and comfortable life.

7. You should to provide free access to fire exits and fire extinguishment of equipment.

8. A new fire house will built in this area next year.

9. Firefighting is known to be a team work.

10. You can actuate the system manually.