How should security systems integrate with fire safety?

• A. Isolate alarms from fire safety systems.
• B. Ensure doors remain accessible during evacuations, coordinate alarms, and protect egress routes.
• C. Coordinate alarms with fire safety so doors close during evacuations.
• D. Disable all access controls during alarms.

Answer: (B)

Coordinating security with fire safety to keep occupants safe during evacuations. When a fire alarm sounds, security systems should work with fire safety objectives rather than impede them. Doors must stay accessible so people can exit quickly, alarms should be synchronized to provide clear warnings and guidance, and egress routes—hallways, stairwells, and exit doors—must be protected from obstructions. This means doors should be able to unlock or remain open as needed for a safe evacuation, and access controls should not be disabled during alarms because that can trap people or create confusion. The goal is to support safe exit by unifying alarms, keeping exits unobstructed, and ensuring doors respond to alarms in a way that facilitates egress. Isolating alarms, causing doors to close during evacuations, or disabling access controls during alarms would hinder life safety and are not appropriate approaches.