WET PIPE
These are the most common systems and are used in buildings where
there is no risk of freezing. They are fast to react because water
is always in the pipes above the sprinkler heads.
Wet systems are required for multi-storey or high rise buildings and
for life safety.
ALTERNATE
As the name suggests Alternate systems can have the pipes full of
water for the summer and be drained down and filled with air (under
pressure) for the winter. This is important for buildings that are
not heated
DRY PIPE
The pipes are filled with air under pressure at all times and the
water is held back by the control valve. When a sprinkler head opens
the drop in air pressure opens the valve and water flows into the
pipe work and on to the fire. Dry pipe systems are used where wet
or alternate systems cannot be used.
PRE-ACTION
Like dry pipe systems the pipes are filled with air but water is only
let into the pipes when the detector operates (e.g. smoke detectors
etc). Pre-action systems are used where it is not acceptable to have
the pipes full of water unless there is a fire.
DELUGE AND RE-CYCLING INSTALLATIONS
These are not strictly sprinkler systems and are only used in special
cases for individual risks.
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