What is the primary function of a fire alarm pull station?

The primary function of a fire alarm pull station is to activate the alarm system. When an individual identifies a fire or smoke hazard, they can manually pull the station to signal an emergency. This immediate activation of the alarm system alerts occupants of the building to evacuate and informs first responders of the potential fire situation, allowing them to respond quickly.

Other options, while related to fire safety systems, serve different purposes. Silencing alarms can be important once the system has been activated, but it does not initiate or alert to a fire. Monitoring smoke levels is a separate function performed by smoke detectors which assess air quality but do not activate an alarm system by user intervention. Controlling sprinkler systems is part of fire suppression systems, not the act of notifying occupants or authorities about a fire's presence. Thus, the activation of the alarm system is indeed the critical function served by a fire alarm pull station.