What is the primary function of fire alarms?

The primary function of fire alarms is to detect smoke or fire and alert occupants. This capability is crucial because it provides early warning to individuals within a building, allowing them to evacuate safely and quickly in the event of a fire. The detection component typically relies on sensors that recognize smoke, heat, or flames, while the alarm component produces a loud sound or visual signal that gets the attention of those present.

Though notifying the fire department is an important part of fire safety systems, this is typically the role of fire alarm systems that are integrated with central monitoring stations or specific fire alarm systems designed for that purpose. Automatically extinguishing fires is not a function of fire alarms; instead, this task is handled by fire suppression systems. Additionally, while monitoring air quality is vital for overall safety in buildings, it falls outside the principal function of fire alarms specifically, which focus primarily on fire detection and occupant alerting.