Abstract: An intelligent alarm system includes exit sign units having couplings to a smoke sensor and heat sensor for input information, a speech synthesizer and a strobe light to provide output information and a communication unit to provide communication coupling between exit sign units on a single floor and between interfloor interfaces and a central monitoring unit. The exit sign units provide at least two indications to the occupants. First a strobe light to flash at exits with sufficient intensity to draw attention to the exit and to penetrate smoke in a smoke filled hallway. Second, a speech synthesizer which provides verbal instructions to floor occupants according to the emergency situation. Each exit sign unit is operative independently of the central monitoring unit to set off a local alarm.