In buildings that contain a suppression system and a fire alarm system, the fire alarm system must monitor which of the following?

• A. The suppression system
• B. The elevators
• C. The electrical panel
• D. The water supply

Answer: (B)

When a building has both a suppression system and a fire alarm system, the fire alarm system is responsible for coordinating life-safety actions, including how elevators are handled during a fire. Elevators must be monitored so they can be recalled to a safe floor and placed in fire-service operation, while automatic operation is inhibited to prevent occupants from using them during a fire. The fire alarm system supervises elevator status—such as whether the car is in recall/fire-service mode, its position, and door status—to ensure a safe and controlled response.

Other systems like the electrical panel or water supply are typically managed by their own controls and, while important for overall safety, are not the fire alarm’s primary monitoring focus in this context. The suppression system itself may trigger signals, but the key safety coordination the fire alarm system provides with a suppression-enabled building is the elevator control and safety.