What is one duty of a building engineer during an emergency?

The responsibility of resetting the fire alarm upon the arrival of safety personnel is crucial during an emergency. When a fire alarm is triggered, it typically indicates that there is a potential threat that requires immediate attention. Once the safety personnel—such as fire fighters or emergency responders—arrive on the scene, they will assess the situation and determine if it is safe for building occupants to return. Resetting the alarm at this stage is necessary to ensure that the alarm system operates correctly and can be used effectively if any further issues arise. This action helps maintain safety protocols and ensures that communication between the emergency services and building management is effective.

Other duties, such as restricting access to the building or conducting fire drills, while important, are typically part of standard safety protocols rather than specific emergency responses. Handling evacuation procedures is also critical, but the act of resetting the alarm directly contributes to the immediate management of an ongoing emergency situation.