AN EFFICIENT FIRE ALARM SYSTEM SHOULD--(1) PROVIDE WARNING OF FIRES THAT START IN HIDDEN OR UNOCCUPIED LOCATIONS, (2) INDICATE WHERE THE FIRE IS, (3) GIVE ADVANCE WARNING TO FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATION SO THAT PANIC AND CONFUSION CAN BE AVOIDED AND ORDERLY EVACUATION OCCUR, (4) AUTOMATICALLY NOTIFY CITY FIRE HEADQUARTERS OF THE FIRE, (5) OPERATE BY BOTH MANUAL AND AUTOMATIC CONTROLS SO THAT ALARMS WILL BE SOUNDED EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS PRESENT, (6) SOUND DISTINCTIVE, UNMISTAKABLE SIGNALS SO THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT OR CONFUSION THAT THIS IS A FIRE ALARM, AND (7) PROVIDE A MEANS OF CONDUCTING FIRE DRILLS AND EVACUATION PROCEDURES. THE QUESTION IS ASKED--WHAT KIND OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEM SHOULD A SCHOOL HAVE AND HOW COMPLEX SHOULD IT BE. ONE ANSWER IS FOUND IN THE STANDARDS ON FIRE SIGNALING SYSTEMS ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA). THIS NONPROFIT, TECHNICAL AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION WHOSE CONCERN IS THE PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM FIRE, ALSO CARRIES OUT CONTINUING PROGRAMS OF RESEARCH AND EVALUATES NEW MATERIALS AND METHODS. THE ELEMENTS OF A FIRE ALARM SYSTEM ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. EVERY FIRE ALARM SYSTEM SHOULD HAVE THREE BASIC ELEMENTS--(1) THE ALARM INITIATING DEVICE, (2) THE ALARM INDICATING DEVICES, HORNS, BELLS, ETC., AND (3) THE CONTROL UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE EQUIPMENT. AUTOMATIC DETECTION SYSTEMS WHICH CURRENTLY EXIST ARE DISCUSSED AS WELL AS THE BEST USE OF THESE DEVICES. THIS ARTICLE APPEARED IN THE DECEMBER 1964 ISSUE OF AMERICAN SCHOOL BOARD JOURNAL. COPIES MAY BE OBTAINED BY WRITING THE EDITOR, BRUCE PUBLISHING COMPANY, 400 N. BROADWAY, MILWAUKEE, WIS. 53211. (RH)