TEJATC Fire Alarm Practice Test

A central station monitoring system is designed to automatically send notifications to emergency services when an alarm is triggered. This type of system operates by connecting fire alarm equipment to a central monitoring station, where alarms are processed and relayed to appropriate authorities such as firefighters or emergency services without the need for human intervention.

The advantage of this system is that it provides a rapid response to emergencies, as trained personnel at the central station can assess the situation and dispatch emergency responders immediately upon receiving a signal from the fire alarm system. This capability is particularly important for ensuring quick action in the event of a fire, potentially saving lives and minimizing damage to property.

In contrast, a local alarm system only alerts individuals in the vicinity with sound or visual alerts but does not contact emergency services automatically. Manual pull stations require a person to activate them—initiating an alarm—but do not directly notify emergency responders. A standalone smoke detector also lacks the ability to communicate with emergency services as it typically functions as an independent unit, alerting only those nearby to its detection of smoke.