Fire Alarm Systems and Early Warning in Building Safety Fire alarms are one of the most important safety systems in any building — not because they stop fires, but because they warn people early enough to react safely . When alarms work as intended, they give occupants the time they need to make the right decisions. When You Hear the Alarm: Why Fire Alarms Matter Fire alarms are designed to be loud, attention-grabbing, and impossible to ignore — and that’s intentional. Their