Hotels and dormitories must have a fire alarm system in accordance with standards. Which facilities require such systems?

• A. Hotels and dormitories
• B. Office buildings
• C. Residential single-family homes
• D. Industrial plants

Answer: (A)

Fire alarm systems are required in places where occupants may be sleeping or cannot quickly respond to a fire, so early warning and coordinated evacuation are crucial for life safety. Hotels and dormitories fit this scenario because they house many guests who are often asleep, making a centralized alarm system essential to alert everyone and guide safe evacuation.

In contrast, a single-family home usually relies on individual smoke alarms rather than a building-wide fire alarm system. Office buildings may need alarms depending on size and occupancy, but not automatically in all cases. Industrial plants often have specialized protection tailored to the hazards present. Because of the sleeping occupants and high occupancy, hotels and dormitories are the facilities that require such systems.