What function do pull stations serve in a fire alarm system?

Pull stations are an essential component of fire alarm systems, designed specifically to allow individuals to manually trigger the alarm in the event of a fire or emergency. When someone pulls the handle on a pull station, it sends a signal to the central fire alarm control panel, activating the alarm system and notifying all occupants of the building to take appropriate action, such as evacuating.

This function empowers individuals to respond to a fire before it may be detected by automatic alarms, providing an immediate means of alerting everyone in the area. Prompt manual activation can be crucial, especially in situations where smoke or fire may not yet have triggered automatic detection but is present and posing a danger.

The other options do not align with the primary purpose of pull stations. They do not serve to alert emergency services directly, disable the alarm, or troubleshoot the system. Each of those functions is associated with different elements and processes within fire safety protocols.