What type of power is required for a monitored fire alarm system to maintain functionality?

A monitored fire alarm system requires a secondary power supply to ensure continuous functionality in the event of a power outage or failure. The secondary power supply, often in the form of batteries or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), is crucial for maintaining system operation and ensuring that alarms can be generated even without main line power. This is especially important because fire alarm systems need to be reliable at all times to guarantee safety and responsiveness during emergencies.

The main line power is typically the primary source, but relying solely on it can lead to vulnerabilities if there are interruptions. A standby generator, while useful for prolonged outages, is not a common integral part of all fire alarm systems and may not be designed to provide immediate power to the system in the same way a secondary power supply can. Renewable energy sources, while growing in use, are not standard for fire alarm systems and may not provide the necessary immediate power for operation. Therefore, the secondary power supply is a critical component that ensures the fire alarm system remains operational when needed the most.