What must an investigator determine when dealing with fire protection systems?

When dealing with fire protection systems, an investigator must determine whether the initiating devices functioned as required because these devices are crucial for the detection of fire and the activation of suppression systems. If the initiating devices, such as smoke detectors and heat sensors, did not operate correctly during the incident, it can significantly affect the outcome of a fire event and the overall effectiveness of the fire protection system. Understanding whether these devices worked as intended helps establish if the protection measures in place were functional and if they contributed to the fire's spread or control.

Analyzing the functionality of initiating devices is essential for evaluating the overall response of the fire protection system and identifying any potential failures that may have occurred prior to or during the fire. This assessment plays a critical role in determining the adequacy and reliability of the fire safety measures that were expected to mitigate the fire's impact.