What type of control is the smoke alarm categorized as?

The smoke alarm is categorized as a safety control because its primary purpose is to protect lives by detecting smoke and potentially hazardous conditions. Smoke alarms are designed to alert occupants of a building to the presence of smoke, giving them an early warning to evacuate and seek safety, significantly reducing the risk of injury or death in the event of a fire.

Safety controls are typically measures put in place to prevent accidents or emergencies from occurring or to minimize their impact when they do occur. Smoke alarms play a critical role in fire safety protocols by acting as a first line of defense against fire hazards. This is why they are classified under safety controls rather than operational, maintenance, or environmental controls, which serve different functions in the context of building management and safety.