What are automatic or manual devices that indicate an alarm condition called?

Alarm initiating devices are designed to detect specific conditions that trigger an alarm, such as smoke, heat, or other hazardous situations. These devices can function automatically, like smoke detectors that activate an alarm when they sense smoke or heat, or manually, such as pull stations where individuals can activate an alarm in response to an emergency. The primary purpose of these devices is to alert occupants of a building and emergency responders about potential dangers, thereby facilitating a prompt response to protect lives and property.

In the context of fire protection systems, understanding the role of alarm initiating devices is crucial for effective firefighting and emergency response. While relays, monitoring systems, and control panels play important roles in the overall fire alarm system, they serve different functions. Alarm relays are often used to signal an alarm condition to other systems, monitoring systems track the status of devices, and control panels manage various components of the alarm system. However, it is the alarm initiating devices that are directly responsible for the detection and initiation of an alarm condition.