Procuring fire protection equipment in Saudi Arabia means working in two languages. Specifications, BOQs and datasheets are usually in English, while site teams, suppliers and branch counters often use Arabic trade names. This reverse glossary gives the Arabic terms used in Saudi specifications and quotations for fire extinguishers, their parts, sprinklers, fire pumps, valves and hose equipment, next to the standard English term found in NFPA documents and manufacturer literature.
Each Arabic term is shown in Arabic script with a simple transliteration, so you can use it in a call, an email or a site visit. If you are preparing a supply list, the AZEIDK technical supply service accepts BOQs in English or Arabic and matches every line to its datasheet.
Key takeaways
- A fire extinguisher is «طفاية حريق» (tafayat hareeq); in everyday Saudi speech often just «طفاية» (tafaya).
- Extinguishers are named by agent: «بودرة» (powder), «CO2» or «ثاني أكسيد الكربون», «فوم» (foam), «ماء» (water).
- US literature says Dry Chemical for ABC/BC powder; Amerex warns that Dry Powder means Class D (metal fire) agents and should not be confused with it.
- A valve is «محبس» (mahbas) or «صمام» (samam); both appear in Arabic specifications and quotations.
- The fire department connection is «وصلة الدفاع المدني»; NFPA calls it a Fire Department Connection (FDC), and some catalogues say Siamese Connection.
Fire extinguisher types in Arabic
NFPA 10 uses five fire classes: A (ordinary combustibles), B (flammable liquids and gases), C (energized electrical equipment), D (combustible metals) and K (cooking oils and fats). Saudi suppliers name extinguishers by the agent:
| English term | Arabic term | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Chemical Powder Extinguisher (ABC) | طفاية بودرة | tafayat bodra |
| Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguisher | طفاية ثاني أكسيد الكربون / طفاية CO2 | tafayat thani oxeed al-karbon |
| AFFF Foam Extinguisher | طفاية فوم / طفاية رغوة | tafayat foam / raghwa |
| Water Extinguisher | طفاية ماء | tafayat maa’ |
| Wet Chemical Extinguisher (Class K) | طفاية كيميائية رطبة / طفاية مطابخ | tafaya kimya’iya ratba |
| Clean Agent Extinguisher (Halocarbon) | طفاية غاز نظيف | tafayat ghaz nadheef |
| Wheeled Fire Extinguisher | طفاية بعجلات | tafaya bi-ajalat |
| Automatic (Ceiling) Extinguisher | طفاية أوتوماتيك / طفاية سقف | tafaya otomatik |
Pressurisation types also appear on datasheets: Stored Pressure and Cartridge Operated. For selection by area, see the fire extinguishers building safety guide, or browse AZEIDK fire extinguishers.
Dry Chemical or Dry Powder?
Many regional catalogues print Dry Powder on standard ABC units, following British and European usage. Amerex’s technical note on Class D agents states that Dry Powder should not be confused with Dry Chemical, as the former refers to combustible-metal agents. On an RFQ, state the agent and the fire class, for example ABC Dry Chemical, to avoid receiving the wrong product.
Extinguisher parts: English to Arabic
Part names below follow the Amerex manual for hand portable dry chemical extinguishers, the vocabulary used by service technicians.
| English part | Arabic term |
|---|---|
| Cylinder (Shell) | الأسطوانة (جسم الطفاية) |
| Valve Assembly | رأس الطفاية (الصمام) |
| Safety Pin (Ring Pin / Pull Pin) | مسمار الأمان |
| Tamper Seal (Tamper Indicator) | ختم الأمان |
| Pressure Gauge | ساعة الضغط (عداد الضغط) |
| Discharge Lever | ذراع التشغيل |
| Carrying Handle | مقبض الحمل |
| Discharge Hose | الخرطوم |
| Nozzle | الفوهة |
| Discharge Horn (CO2) | القمع |
| Downtube (Siphon Tube) | الأنبوب الداخلي |
| Nameplate (Label) | الملصق التعريفي |
| Inspection Tag (Service Tag) | كرت الفحص |
| Wall Bracket (Wall Hanger) | حامل الطفاية الجداري |
Service terms: Inspection «فحص», Maintenance «صيانة», Hydrostatic Test «اختبار هيدروستاتيكي», Recharge «إعادة تعبئة».
Sprinkler terms
Sprinklers are «رشاشات» (rashashat) in formal Arabic, and very often «سبرنكلر» on site. The system reference is NFPA 13.
| English term | Arabic term |
|---|---|
| Pendent Sprinkler | رشاش متدلي |
| Upright Sprinkler | رشاش قائم |
| Sidewall Sprinkler | رشاش جانبي (جداري) |
| Concealed Sprinkler | رشاش مخفي |
| Recessed Pendent Sprinkler | رشاش غاطس |
| Dry Sprinkler | رشاش جاف |
| K-Factor / Temperature Rating | معامل K / درجة التشغيل |
| Glass Bulb / Escutcheon | الأمبولة الزجاجية / الوردة |
For K-factors and temperature ratings, see sprinkler head types, K-factor and temperature.
Fire pump terms
A fire pump is «مضخة حريق», plural «مضخات الحريق». Installation reference: NFPA 20.
| English term | Arabic term |
|---|---|
| Electric Motor Driven Fire Pump | مضخة حريق كهربائية |
| Diesel Engine Driven Fire Pump | مضخة حريق ديزل |
| Jockey Pump (Pressure Maintenance Pump) | مضخة الجوكي |
| End Suction Fire Pump | مضخة طرفية السحب |
| Horizontal Split Case Fire Pump | مضخة ذات غلاف منقسم |
| Vertical Turbine Fire Pump | مضخة توربينية رأسية |
| Fire Pump Controller | لوحة تحكم المضخة |
| Pressure Relief Valve | صمام تنفيس الضغط |
| Fire Pump Test Meter | عداد تدفق اختبار المضخة |
See fire pump types and selection or browse AZEIDK fire pumps.
Valve terms
| English term | Arabic term |
|---|---|
| OS&Y Gate Valve | محبس بوابة (محبس سكينة) |
| Butterfly Valve (Indicating) | محبس فراشة |
| Check Valve (Swing Check) | محبس عدم رجوع |
| Alarm Check Valve | صمام الإنذار |
| Post Indicator Valve (PIV) | عمود بيان المحبس |
| Landing Valve / Hose Valve | محبس مخرج الخرطوم على القائم |
| Supervisory (Tamper) Switch | مفتاح مراقبة المحبس |
| Waterflow Switch | مفتاح تدفق المياه |
Landing Valve is the British term (BS 5041-1 covers landing valves for wet risers); NFPA documents use Hose Valve or Hose Connection. End connections: Flanged «فلانش», Grooved «جروف», Threaded «سن». See the fire protection valves guide and American Fire Control (AFC).
Hose cabinets, hydrants and the fire department connection
| English term | Arabic term |
|---|---|
| Fire Hose Cabinet | صندوق حريق (كابينة حريق) |
| Fire Hose Reel | بكرة خرطوم الحريق |
| Lay-Flat Fire Hose | خرطوم حريق مسطح |
| Fire Extinguisher Cabinet | صندوق طفاية |
| Fire Hydrant (Wet / Dry Barrel) | حنفية حريق (هيدرنت) |
| Riser / Standpipe | القائم (الرايزر) |
| Fire Department Connection (FDC) / Siamese Connection | وصلة الدفاع المدني |
Hose reels with semi-rigid hose are covered by BS EN 671-1; outdoor hydrants by AWWA C502 (dry barrel) and C503 (wet barrel). See the fire department connection guide and Falcon Gold fire hose cabinets.
Procurement words you will hear in Saudi Arabia
- Datasheet: «الداتا شيت».
- Submittal: «السبمتل» or «ملف اعتماد المواد».
- BOQ: «جدول الكميات».
- RFQ / quotation: «طلب عرض سعر» / «عرض سعر».
- Certificate of conformity: «شهادة المطابقة». Extinguishing equipment and fire pumps fall under the SASO Technical Regulation for Fire Control Materials and Equipment and need a certificate of conformity issued through the SABER platform.
- Civil Defense: «الدفاع المدني».
Frequently asked questions
What is fire extinguisher in Arabic?
«طفاية حريق» (tafayat hareeq). In daily speech, «طفاية» alone is enough.
How do I ask for an ABC powder extinguisher in Arabic?
Ask for «طفاية بودرة» with the size in kilograms, for example «طفاية بودرة 6 كجم».
What is a valve in Arabic?
«محبس» (mahbas) or «صمام» (samam). Both are used in Arabic specifications and quotations.
What is the fire department connection in Arabic?
«وصلة الدفاع المدني». NFPA calls it a Fire Department Connection (FDC); a twin-inlet FDC is also sold as a Siamese Connection.
Is Landing Valve an NFPA term?
No. It is the British term (BS 5041-1). NFPA documents use Hose Valve or Hose Connection.
Conclusion
A BOQ line that names the agent or type, size, end connection and approval in the standard English term, and is understood in Arabic on site, saves rounds of clarification. Match each line to its datasheet before approval.
Have an English BOQ to supply in Saudi Arabia? Send it as it is, and we will match each line to a suitable model with its datasheet and approval status. Talk to the AZEIDK team
See the fire extinguishers and fire fighting systems AZEIDK supplies.
