Describe the purpose of a fire alarm system.

The purpose of a fire alarm system is fundamentally to detect smoke, heat, and other signs of a fire and to alert both occupants of the building and emergency responders. This is crucial for ensuring safety, as it allows individuals to evacuate the premises in a timely manner, potentially before the fire worsens, thus minimizing the risk of injury or loss of life. Additionally, alerting authorities expedites the response time of firefighters and emergency personnel, significantly improving the chances of controlling the fire and mitigating damage to property.

Other options, while related to safety and emergency response, do not accurately reflect the primary role of a fire alarm system. Maintaining building temperature is unrelated to fire detection. Controlling fire extinguishing systems is a different function that may involve integrated suppression systems but is not the main purpose of a fire alarm. Providing first aid instructions, although important in emergency situations, falls outside the scope of fire alarm systems, as their focus is specifically on fire detection and occupant notification.