FHC — Notation on floor plans indicating the location of fire hose cabinets.

Fabrication — The building or construction of an exhibit display.

Facility — See CONVENTION CENTER, HALL.

Facility Manager —The manager of a convention center or hall.

Facing –– Decorative trim, painted or applied.

Fade — Term used to describe transition from one scene to next by slowly darkening image, also called DISSOLVE.

Fascia — Panel at top of an exhibit, usually bearing company name.

Fastening Tool –– These are sometimes called nail guns and are powered by compressed air (pneumatic).

Featherrock — Material cut from volcanic lava in rough and varying sizes, looks exactly like heavy rock but is about one-fifth the weight; useful for decorative stone, veneers and dioramas.

Feedback — Term used to describe condition caused by return flow of electrical energy or sound.

Fiber Optics — 1. In displays, the use of cut glass fibers to display colored light. 2. In telephony, material used for carrying voice and data signals.

Fiberglass — A material fabricated from plastic resins and glass fiber. Available in rigid forms, translucent and opaque. Can also be custom fabricated in intricate shapes.

Field Services — Handling installation and dismantling, including freight, drayage, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, ironworkers, riggers, and maintenance.

Filler — Material used to fill pores of broad grained woods, as part of finishing process, particularly natural finish.

Filters –– Filters can be placed on intensity, color and beam, and focus the effect of light.

Finger Pull — Hinged finger grip usually mounted in recess on hinged doors.

Finished — Wooden articles that have passed the state of manufacture "in the white." See IN THE WHITE (refers to wood that has been primed).

Fire Aisle –– Interior aisle in an exhibition floor plan used for emergency egress that must be kept clear of obstructions.

Fire Exit — SEE EMERGENCY EXIT.

Fire Extinguisher –– Any agent used to extinguish fires such as water, sand, CO2, Halon, etc.

Fire Lane — An external vehicle lane that must be kept clear of obstruction to allow emergency egress.

Fire Retardant — Term used to describe a finish (usually liquid) that coats materials with a fire resistant cover. This does not render the material fireproof.

Fixed Jig — Permanent felt support mounted within shipping container.

Flame Proofed — Term used to describe material that is, or had been treated with a fire retardant.

Flange — That part of an extruded, formed or fabricated component that protrudes from the basic shape. Often used as mounting plate.

Flasher — Device to activate one or more lamps by intermittently interrupting current.

Flasher Button, Thermal — Flasher that is reacting to heat of electrical flow, built up heat, causing flasher to break current until cooled. These types cannot be programmed.

Flasher, Random — Several flashers acting in non-programmed fashion. Use may be restricted in show rules.

Flat Framed — 1' x 2', 1' x 3' or 1' x 4' mounted on flat surface, usually associated with banners or signs.

Float –– A large 4 wheel dolly with upright handle, can be manual or motorized.

Floater — Worker used by foreman to help assigned labor for short periods.

Flocking — An electrostatic spraying process producing a velvety finish on any surface.

Floor Load — Maximum amount of weight per square foot a floor can support. May also refer to the maximum amount of power available from floor outlets and ports.

Floor Manager — An individual (often an independent contractor ) representing show management, or the official contractor, who is responsible for the installation, dismantling, and operation of the exhibition area.

Floor Marking — Method of marking booth spaces in an empty exhibit hall to indicate where booths will be set.

Floor Order — Order for labor or services placed after exhibit setup begins. Usually more expensive than an ADVANCE ORDER.

Floor Plan — A map showing layout of exhibit spaces, lounges, concession areas, restrooms, electrical/plumbing accessibility, etc.

Floor Port — A utility box, recessed in the floor, containing electrical, telephone, and/or plumbing connections.

Flush Lock — Non-protruding locking device inserted flush with surface.

Flush Mounted — Mounting of one material to another with no space between them.

Foam Core — Paper exteriorsandwiching rigid foam often used for show signage.

Font — An alphabet of letters of one style or type. SEE TYPE FACE.

Food stuff / Edibles –– Imports are subject to sanitary/veterinary health certificates. Live animals/plants may be quarantined.

Force Majuere — The title of a standard clause in contracts exempting the parties for non-fulfillment of their obligations as a result of conditions beyond their control, such as earthquakes, floods or war.

Foreign Sales Agent — An individual or firm that serves as the foreign representative of a domestic supplier and seeks sales abroad for the supplier.

Foreman –– Supervisor of a group of workers whose duties will vary based upon the region of the country and the union affiliation.

Forklift, Forktruck — Vehicle used to transport heavy exhibit materials short distances and for loading and unloading materials. SEE HI LOW, TOW MOTOR, JEEP, OR REACH FORK LIFT.

Formica — A brand name for a plastic laminate.

For-Profit Show Management Company — A management company whose owners or stockholders share in its net proceeds. SEE INDEPENDENT SHOW ORGANIZER.

Four Hour Call — Under certain circumstances this is the minimum work period for which union labor must be paid. Not to be confused with minimum charges to exhibitors applied by contractors that service shows.

Framing —See BOX FRAMING or FLAT FRAMING.

Free Form — SEE ISLAND EXHIBIT.

Free Port SEE FREE TRADE ZONE.

Free Standing — Self-supporting and independent exhibit material.

Free Trade Zone — A port designated by the government of a country for duty-free entry of any non-prohibited goods. Merchandise may be stored, displayed, used for manufacturing, etc., within the zone and re-exported without duties being paid. Duties are imposed on the merchandise (or items manufactured from the merchandise) only when the goods pass from the zone into an area of the country subject to the Customs Authority.

Freight — Exhibit properties, products, and other materials shipped for an exhibit.

Freight Contractor — The show –designated company responsible for handling exhibit properties from the dock to the exhibit space.

Freight Desk — At a show, the freight contractor’s service area for handling inbound and outbound exhibit materials.

Freight Forwarder — An independent business that handles shipments for

Compensation, either a local cartage or long haul carrier.

Freight Handling Form — Form for exhibitor requesting handling of materials. Not to be confused with long haul shipping forms, or bills of lading.

Fresnel — Theatrical Fixture with adjustable lens 150 W through 1500 W.

Frisket — Technique of applying lettering or art to surface of rigid material by tracing outline on translucent paper; affixing the paper to surface or materials, cutting away paper within lettering spaces and then spraying color over surface. When balance of paper is removed, the lettering remains.

Fumigation –– Required in some countries for live plants and wooden packing.

Furniture Dolly –– SEE FLOAT, CART