What is the purpose of a sprinkler system in a building?

The purpose of a sprinkler system in a building is primarily to suppress potential fire outbreaks. Sprinkler systems are designed to activate when they detect heat from a fire, releasing water to control or extinguish flames before they can spread. This response can significantly reduce property damage and loss of life during a fire incident. By containing or even extinguishing the fire in its early stages, sprinkler systems play a crucial role in fire safety within buildings, providing occupants with more time to evacuate and reducing the burden on firefighting efforts.

The other options do not accurately represent the core function of a sprinkler system. While ventilation and smoke control are critical components of fire safety, they are addressed by different systems and strategies within fire safety engineering. Fire alarms serve to alert occupants and emergency services of a fire but do not actively suppress the fire itself. Therefore, the primary role of a sprinkler system is as an active fire suppression method, making it an essential safety feature in high-rise buildings and other structures.