What is a fire alarm system designed to do?

A fire alarm system is specifically designed to detect the presence of smoke, heat, or flames, and to alert occupants of a building to the potential danger of a fire. This alerting function is crucial in giving individuals the opportunity to evacuate safely and promptly, minimizing the risk of injury or loss of life. Fire alarms can also notify first responders to the location of the fire, which can help in reducing property damage and ensuring an effective emergency response.

While extinguishing fires automatically is a feature of fire suppression systems, that is outside the scope of a fire alarm system's primary function. Similarly, providing shelter or ensuring electrical safety are not within the main purposes of a fire alarm system. Instead, the focus is on early detection and alerting to enhance overall safety during a fire event.