What does a water flow alarm indicate?

A water flow alarm serves as a critical alert within a fire protection system, indicating that water is actively flowing through the system. This typically signals that a sprinkler head has been activated due to heat or smoke, or that a fire hose is being used. The operational purpose of the alarm is to notify the monitoring station or personnel that there is water movement, which is essential for both the activation of fire protection and the detection of potential emergencies.

Understanding the function of the water flow alarm is vital for firefighting and safety personnel, as it directly relates to the effectiveness of the firefighting efforts and the immediate response required. The other suggestions—such as testing of water, low water pressure, or water being shut off—do not accurately reflect the purpose of a water flow alarm, which centers only on the presence of water flow.