Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS)

Which type of fire alarm system indicates that action is needed with other fire protection systems?

1. Fire alarm

2. Supervisory

3. Communicating

4. Notification

The correct answer is: Supervisory

The supervisory fire alarm system plays a crucial role in the integrated approach to fire safety management. Unlike standard fire alarm systems that primarily focus on detecting smoke or heat and signaling an alarm, a supervisory system is designed to monitor the status of various fire protection and life safety equipment. This system tracks conditions such as the readiness and operational state of fire suppression systems, sprinkler systems, or water supply, ensuring that these critical components are functional when needed. For instance, if a sprinkler system is turned off for maintenance or if there is a loss of water supply pressure, the supervisory system will detect these anomalies and provide immediate notification to personnel, prompting the necessary actions to be taken. This helps maintain a high level of preparedness and safety by ensuring that all fire protection measures are operational and ready to act when required. In contrast, other types of systems, like standard fire alarms, focus on alerting occupants to evacuate or signaling emergency services without direct monitoring of other fire protection systems.