What is the primary purpose of a fire alarm system?

The primary purpose of a fire alarm system is to alert occupants of danger. This function is critical in ensuring that individuals in a building are made aware of a fire emergency, allowing them to evacuate safely and promptly. The alerting mechanism typically includes audible alarms, visual notifications, and sometimes even advanced communication systems to inform and direct people to safety.

While detecting smoke and heat is an important component of many fire alarm systems, it is ultimately the alerting of occupants that serves as the primary purpose of these systems. The monitoring of security systems or controlling building automation, while relevant to overall building management, do not align with the core mission of a fire alarm system, which is fundamentally focused on life safety in the event of a fire.