A fire alarm is a safety device designed to detect smoke or heat and alert people to the presence of a fire. It typically consists of a sensor that detects smoke particles or changes in temperature, a control panel, and an audible alarm that sounds when a fire is detected. Fire alarms can be found in homes, offices, and public buildings to help protect lives and property. There are two main types of fire alarms: ionization smoke alarms, which are more responsive to flaming fires, and photoelectric smoke alarms, which are better at detecting smoldering fires. Many modern systems also include sprinkler systems and can be connected to emergency services for quicker response times.