Abstract: A fire alarm system utilizes a wireless transmitter associated with each of a plurality of smoke detectors to provide the occupant of a building with an early warning through the wireless receiver in the occupant's smart phone. The wireless signal includes encoded information identifying the activated smoke detector, and the smart phone app uses this information to guide the user safely out of the building. Where the building has multiple exits, the smart phone app can use information on the current location of the smart phone, determined by a local location system, together with the smoke detector identification to inform the user of a preferred escape route.