A common fire protection system is a smoke detector and a sprinkler if a fire sparks smoke sets off the detector causing the sprinkler system to activate the water protects against the spread of fire. A fire alarm system monitors the building for the presence of fire producing audible and visual signals if fire is detected a control unit receives inputs from all fire detection devices automatic or manual activating the corresponding notification systems. Fire protection systems are complicated and sophisticated and are different for just about every building notes jeffrey e harper engineering manager and vice president at rolf jensen associates inc the rja group an organization of fire protection and security consultants based in chicago