1. Overview of the Concept The Cause and Effect (C&E) matrix or narrative is the logical backbone of an addressable fire alarm and control system. It defines, in clear, rule-based statements, exactly what should happen (the effect ) when a specific initiating device or event occurs (the cause ). Without a properly designed C&E, a fire alarm system is merely a collection of sensors and sounders that operates in a generic, often unsafe, or inefficient manner.