What does a fire alarm system primarily do?

A fire alarm system is designed primarily to detect the presence of fire or smoke and to alert both the occupants of the building and emergency response authorities. This alert can be through audible alarms, notifications, or visual indicators, ensuring that individuals can evacuate the premises safely and that emergency services can respond promptly.

While some fire alarm systems may be integrated with fire suppression systems that can extinguish fires, the primary function of a fire alarm is not to put out fires but to signal that there is an emergency situation that requires attention. Providing detailed information on fire safety procedures is generally the role of training programs and informational materials, rather than the fire alarm system itself. Similarly, measuring temperature can be a function of some advanced safety systems, but it is not the core purpose of a fire alarm system. Thus, the correct understanding of a fire alarm's purpose hinges on its role in alerting and facilitating a response during fire incidents.