Alert signals are part of a 2-stage fire alarm system. The intent of the first, alert, stage is to notify persons in authority of a potential threat to building occupants. In certain occupancies such as an emergency ward in a hospital, it may not be desirable for an alert signal to sound throughout the floor area. In such cases, the alert signal may be restricted to a continuously staffed location. Examples of continuously staffed locations include a nursing station in a hospital or a building security desk in an office tower, where staff on shift are available every day and at all times.