What is the primary purpose of a fire alarm system?

The primary purpose of a fire alarm system is to alert occupants of a building to evacuate. This alert is crucial for ensuring the safety of individuals in the building during a fire or other emergency situations. The system is designed to detect smoke, heat, or flames and then activate audible and visual signals to prompt immediate action from the occupants.

Effective evacuation can significantly reduce the risk of injury or loss of life, as it enables people to exit the building quickly and safely. While notifying firefighters is an important function of some fire alarm systems, the primary responsibility lies with protecting the lives of the occupants by facilitating an orderly evacuation before firefighters arrive on the scene. Fire alarm systems are not responsible for extinguishing fires directly, which is the role of fire suppression systems. Furthermore, while some fire alarm systems may be integrated into the overall design of a building, enhancing aesthetic value is not a fundamental purpose of these systems. The focus of a fire alarm system is fundamentally on safety and alerting individuals at risk.