Fire Sprinkler Systems 101: The Five Types Every Business Owner Should Know

When fire strikes, sprinkler systems aren’t just a safety feature — they’re your first responder. Think of them as your building’s built-in firefighters, ready to douse danger with water the moment heat rises.

If you own and operate a business (or plan to), knowing your options for fire sprinkler systems and choosing the best one for your building is key to keeping your people and property safe.

Let’s break down the five essential types of fire sprinkler systems.

Five Types of Fire Sprinkler Systems to Know

1.Wet Pipe Fire Sprinkler Systems

🏢Best for: Most commercial and multi-unit residential buildings with climate control

Wet pipe fire sprinkler systems are the most common and for good reason. These systems are cost-efficient, fast-acting, and incredibly effective.

These sprinkler systems constantly hold water in their lines, ready to activate seconds after a fire is detected. Once heat makes its way up to the ceiling near the wet pipe fire sprinklers, the core of the sprinkler head bursts, and water is released instantly. Only the heads exposed to heat activate, minimizing water damage while stopping fire in its tracks.

The only downside of wet pipe sprinkler systems is that they can be prone to freezing issues. All parts of the building where this fire protection unit is installed should be at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent fire sprinkler system pipes from freezing. If your space dips below that temperature, keep reading!

2. Dry Pipe Fire Sprinkler Systems

🏭Best for: Unheated spaces like parking garages, warehouses or loading docks

Unlike a wet pipe system, dry pipe fire sprinkler systems hold pressurized air or nitrogen in the pipes instead of water. The water in dry pipe sprinkler systems is kept behind a dry pipe valve, away from the sprinkler heads.

When the ceiling temperature becomes too hot, the fusible link or glass bulb of dry pipe systems breaks. Instead of automatic water, the sprinkler head releases air, resulting in a drop of pressure that forces open the dry pipe valve to fill the sprinkler piping.

Once the piping is full, water will start flowing from the open sprinkler head to alleviate fire damage. Because dry pipe sprinkler systems are smaller than other types, the amount of time it takes to deliver water to the impacted area is reduced.

Dry pipe sprinkler systems are suitable in areas where you cannot guarantee high enough temperatures to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. However, you’ll still need a heated area where the water supply connects.

3. Pre-Action Fire Sprinkler Systems

🏦Best for: Data centers, museums, libraries – anywhere water damage is a big deal

Pre-action fire sprinkler systems are among the most complicated types since they’re a combination of wet and dry sprinkler units. In a pre-action sprinkler system, water doesn’t enter pipes until a fire is detected — like in a dry pipe system — yet the response time is fast, like a standard wet pipe system.
There are three types of pre-action systems that may work for your business. The main difference between these pre-action sprinkler systems lies in the specific event(s) that must happen to trigger the release of water into the system.

• Non-interlock systems: Water flows after either a smoke detector goes off, or a sprinkler head activates, prioritizing faster response times.
• Single interlock systems: Water flows only after a smoke detector or fire alarm goes off.
• Double interlock systems: Water flows only when both a smoke detector and a sprinkler head are activated, adding another layer of security.

4. Deluge Fire Sprinkler Systems

⚡Best for: High hazard areas like power plants, aircraft hangars, or chemical storage

Just like pre-action systems, deluge fire sprinkler systems rely on a separate fire detection system to activate. However, deluge systems differ in key ways:

• They use open sprinkler heads or nozzles

• The piping is dry and unpressurized

• Once a detection device is activated, the deluge valve opens, allowing water to flow through the pipes and discharge simultaneously from all sprinkler heads

This full-area water discharge makes deluge systems ideal for protecting spaces where fire damage must be minimized immediately and where flammable liquids, hazardous materials, or electrical equipment are present.

5. Standpipe Systems

🌆Best for: High-rises, stadiums, and large warehouses

Suitable for large area floor buildings, standpipe systems consist of a series of pipes that connect a water supply to hose connections. Essentially an extension of a fire hydrant, this system type has one main purpose: to provide fast-acting, pre-piped water distribution to the fire department in an emergency.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are three different types of standpipe systems, including:

• Class I: Must provide a 2.5-inch hose connection that matches the hose thread used by the fire department. This class has no hose attached and is primarily required in buildings with more than three stories.

• Class II: Must provide 1.5-inch hose stations to supply water to trained personnel or the fire department during an emergency. This class is often found in cabinets with 100 feet of hose.

• Class III: Must provide 1.5-inch hose stations to supply water to trained personnel, and a 2.5-inch hose connection to supply a greater amount of water to fire departments and other officials trained in more intense fires.

Though standpipe systems may not deploy water flow from a ceiling sprinkle head, they are a reliable fire protective measure and work together with each type of fire sprinkler system.

Choosing the Right Sprinkler System: What’s Best for Your Building?

Not all fire sprinkler systems are created equal, and not every system fits every space. That’s where we come in.

Encore Fire Protection brings decades of experience to every inspection, installation, and service call. So, whether you’re protecting a warehouse or a wellness center, we’ll help you find the right solution.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, fill out the form below.