What is the purpose of the supervisory signal in a fire alarm system?

The purpose of the supervisory signal in a fire alarm system is to monitor the integrity and performance of various system components, ensuring that they are functioning correctly and are in operational condition. This involves checking for issues such as communication failures, battery faults, or any conditions that might compromise the reliability of the fire alarm system. By continuously monitoring these conditions, the supervisory signals help maintain the system's readiness to detect an actual fire event, thereby enhancing overall safety.

In contrast, other functions of the fire alarm system serve different purposes. For instance, indicating that a fire has been detected falls under the primary alarm function, while triggering evacuation alarms is a response to actual fire conditions rather than monitoring. Providing power to fire equipment is related to the system's operational capability, but it doesn’t specifically pertain to the function of supervisory signals. Thus, the emphasis on monitoring and ensuring the operational integrity aligns directly with the role of supervisory signals in fire alarm systems.