Pre-discharge alarms in NFPA 2001 serve which purpose?

• A. Warn occupants of imminent release and allow evacuation
• B. Trigger automatic shutdown of the building
• C. Increase agent concentration before release
• D. Provide legal documentation after release

Answer: (A)

Pre-discharge alarms are an early warning feature of a clean agent suppression system. Their purpose is to alert occupants that a discharge is imminent, giving people time to evacuate safely before the agent is released. This advance warning helps prevent exposure and supports an orderly evacuation, reducing the risk to people in the protected space. The alarms typically provide audible and visual signals (and may include voice messages) to clearly communicate the impending release.

They are not intended to automatically shut down building systems, nor to alter or increase agent concentration, nor to produce post-release documentation. The key function is timely warning to enable safe egress before the agent is released.