What are called fixtures?

Items are called fixtures when they are permanently or semi-permanently attached to a building, structure, or piece of land, and thereby become part of the real property rather than movable possessions. The naming depends on three classic tests: physical annexation (the item is bolted, screwed, plumbed, wired, cemented, or nailed to the property), adaptation (the item serves the property's use), and intention of permanence (it was installed to remain in place). Applying these tests, the things called fixtures include toilets, sinks, washbasins, bathtubs, showers, bidets, and faucets, which are plumbing fixtures; ceiling lights, chandeliers, sconces, and recessed lighting, which are lighting fixtures; radiators, boilers, and water heaters, which are heating fixtures; built-in wardrobes, fitted kitchens, and fitted shelving, which are storage fixtures; and hardwired smoke detectors, doorbells, and garage door openers. In sports, scheduled matches are called fixtures because they are fixed on a calendar for a set date and venue. In manufacturing, rigid work-holding devices used during machining, welding, or assembly are called fixtures because they fix a workpiece in position. People can also be called fixtures figuratively: someone present so long and so reliably in a place, like a longtime doorman or pub regular, is called a fixture of that place. In every case, the unifying idea behind what gets called a fixture is that it is firmly fixed in place, schedule, or role, and is expected to remain there.