Which of the following statements about alarm systems that provide occupant notification in health care occupancies is true?

The statement that visible alarm and appliances can be used in critical care areas is accurate and aligns with safety standards in health care settings. This is important because critical care areas often include patients who may have reduced ability to respond to audible alarms due to the nature of their medical conditions. Visual signals help ensure that all occupants, including both patients and staff, are alerted to potential emergencies or needs for evacuation. This enhances the overall safety of these sensitive environments by ensuring that notification methods cater to various needs.

In critical care areas, the use of visible alarms is particularly effective as they can be seen by staff members who may be occupied with patient care, and can also aid in alerting patients who may have hearing impairments or be incapacitated. The combination of visual and audible signals is essential to ensure comprehensive coverage and effective occupant notification in all scenarios.

While visible alarm appliances are beneficial, they should be part of a broader system that includes audible alarms to ensure a holistic approach to safety. The other options do not accurately reflect the requirements or recommendations surrounding occupant notification systems in health care settings, especially the limitation of visual signals only to sleeping areas or the notion that they are not required for new systems.