What is the role of a fire alarm control panel's power supply during a power outage?

• A. It provides the necessary DC power and battery backup to keep initiating devices and NACs functioning during outages.
• B. It provides only backup for the panel's internal clock.
• C. It powers the lighting in the facility.
• D. It shuts down all devices to prevent nuisance alarms.

Answer: (C)

During a power outage, the fire alarm control panel’s power supply provides the necessary DC power and battery backup to keep initiating devices and notification appliances functioning. This keeps detectors, pull stations, horns, and strobes energized so the alarm system can still alert occupants and summon help. Lighting in the facility is not powered by the panel’s power supply; emergency lighting is typically supplied by its own emergency power source or building emergency circuits. The panel’s backup may also preserve its internal clock, but the main goal is to maintain the alarm system’s operation during outages, not to shut down devices.