What should you do if you detect smoke in a building?

When smoke is detected in a building, the immediate response should prioritize the safety of occupants and the overall emergency protocol. Activating the fire alarm alerts everyone in the facility about the potential danger, which is vital for initiating evacuation procedures. This action ensures that occupants can leave the building in an organized manner, potentially reducing the risk of injury or panic.

While informing nearby occupants and waiting may seem like a reasonable initial reaction, it does not activate the broader safety measures necessary to protect all individuals in the building. Inspecting for the fire source could delay evacuation and places individuals at risk, as it involves entering potentially dangerous areas. Closing windows and doors, while helpful in some situations to contain smoke and fire, does not address the immediate need to evacuate and ensure that the alarm system functions properly for everyone.

Thus, activating the fire alarm and beginning evacuation procedures is the most critical response to ensure the safety of all occupants and facilitate an effective emergency response by fire services.