Types of Fire Sprinklers: Wet vs. Dry Pipe
Sprinkler systems come in two major categories: wet and dry pipe. Both protect against fire, but there are some big differences in how they work—and what buildings they’re best suited for.
Wet pipe sprinklers constantly circulate water within the pipes that connect to the sprinkler heads. To activate the sprinkler heads, just open the valves. The water gets to the fire quickly and efficiently.
These are the sprinklers of choice in residential and many commercial buildings. They’re easier to maintain and less expensive than dry pipe sprinklers. The dry pipe sprinkler system, however, does have its place.
This type of system has pipes containing compressed air instead of water. The pipes hook up to a storage tank or a water main, using a valve sensitive to pressure. When they’re activated, the sprinkler heads open and force the compressed air to rush forward. This causes a drop in pressure in the pipes, activating the pressure-sensitive valve connecting to the water source.
Dry pipe systems are most often used in unheated buildings in cold climates, where burst pipes are a concern. They are also popular in commercial buildings particularly worried about water damage. They are not common in cold-climate residential buildings, as these are typically heated through the winter.