Which function is performed by a pull station in a fire alarm system?

A pull station's primary function is to provide a means for individuals to manually activate the fire alarm system in case of a fire or smoke situation. This is essential for emergency situations where immediate alerting of occupants and fire response teams is necessary. When someone pulls the lever or activates the device, it sends a signal to the fire alarm control panel, which then activates alarm signals throughout the premises, helping to ensure everyone's safety by notifying them of a potential danger.

Monitoring environmental conditions typically involves sensors that detect heat, smoke, or gas, rather than the manual activation provided by a pull station. Silencing alarms is more of a feature of the control panel, used for muting false alarms or during system testing. Control of sprinkler systems relies on separate components designed to activate water flow when smoke is detected, and is not the function of a pull station.