fire code

Meanings

1. 1nouncountabletechnical

   A set of official rules that buildings must follow to prevent fires and keep people safe.

   Grammar: Countable noun; often used with 'the' or 'a'. You can say 'a fire code' for one set of rules, or 'fire codes' for different sets.

   Patterns

   • meet the fire code
   • violate the fire code
   • the local fire code

   The new restaurant had to meet the fire code before it could open.

   Inspectors found that the building violated the fire code.

   Every city has its own fire code, so rules can differ from place to place.

2. 2noununcountabletechnical

   The system of numbers and symbols used by firefighters to communicate about fires and emergencies.

   Grammar: Uncountable in this sense; used without 'a' or a plural. It refers to the code itself, not one document.

   Patterns

   • use the fire code
   • learn the fire code
   • fire code signals

   New firefighters spend weeks learning the fire code.

   The fire code uses short signals to save time during emergencies.

   He could read the fire code faster than anyone on the team.

Word forms

Common combinations

meet the fire code

The old theater was renovated to meet the fire code.

violate the fire code

Blocking the exits violates the fire code.

local fire code

Check the local fire code before you build.

fire code inspection

The fire code inspection is scheduled for Monday.

Synonyms and how they differ

fire regulations

Fire regulations is a broader term for all rules about fire safety; fire code often refers to the official written set of rules for buildings.

building code

A building code covers all aspects of construction, including fire safety; a fire code focuses specifically on fire prevention and escape.

Word family

fire safety noun

The general practice of preventing and escaping fires.

Commonly confused: fire code or fire drill?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “fire code”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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