What should you do if a fire alarm is triggered in a commercial building?

When a fire alarm is triggered in a commercial building, immediate investigation for a false alarm is crucial. This involves assessing the situation promptly to determine if there is an actual fire or if the alarm was caused by a fault, such as dust or a malfunctioning device. Understanding the nature of the trigger helps ensure the safety of all occupants and allows for a measured response.

Conducting an investigation quickly can also mitigate unnecessary evacuation and alarm response from local fire departments, which can happen if a false alarm is identified before they arrive. It is important for personnel to be trained to respond efficiently, ensuring that they check key areas of the building where the alarm may have been activated and communicate with alarm monitoring services if necessary.

The other options do not contribute effectively to a safe response. Waiting for the system to reset could delay necessary actions and potentially jeopardize safety. Shutting down all power to the building could hinder emergency services and prevent operation of essential systems, such as emergency lighting. Manually silencing the alarm doesn't address the need to investigate the cause of the alert, risking the potential oversight of a real emergency.