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Fire alarm systems have the primary job of warning the occupants of a structure when there is smoke or fire present. Generally speaking, they consist of an input (initiation) side and and output (notification) side. Inputs can be either manually activated (pull stations) or automatic (smoke and heat detectors or sprinkler flow switches). When a fire alarm is activated, the usual result is annunciation of audible and visual devices in and adjacent to the area where the fire situation is occurring. These generally consist of horns or speakers with a programmed evacuation message and flashing strobe lights. These should let the occupants know to evacuate the premises, sometimes instructing them where to move to. Fire alarms are usually monitored by a tie to a central station that will interpret the signal coming in and, if necessary, dispatch fire and rescue personnel to the site. The fire alarm may also take care of other automatic functions such as shutting down air handlers to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through the building, releasing suppression agents to extinguish or slow the growth of the fire and exhausting stairwells and hallways with high pressure fans and duct systems to remove smoke and combustion products from building egresses. Fire alarms are a crucial part of modern building safety and in most areas are mandated by law and OSHA requirements. Fire alarms are required to be inspected at regular intervals, tested by trained personnel and verified for proper operation. Any deficiencies are to be noted and repaired by qualified technicians. If a fire alarm is not properly maintained and tagged as such, the municipal fire protection authorities may require the premises to be evacuated and not reoccupied until the fire alarm system is repaired and properly tagged.
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