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Wet type: The network of pipe work feeding the sprinkler heads is permanently charged with water under pressure, as a result these types of system are quick to react upon operation of a sprinkler head in a fire situation. These are the most common systems and are used in buildings where there is no risk of freezing or extremely high ambient temperatures.

Dry Type: The installation pipe work feeding the sprinkler heads is normally charged with air or inert gas under pressure downstream of the control valve & water under pressure upstream of the control valve. Following activation, the air or inert gas will be expelled & water will charge the pipe work from the control valve. These types of systems are used in buildings where there is risk of freezing or extremely high ambient temperatures.

Alternate: During the winter months the installation pipe work feeding the sprinkler heads is normally charged with air or inert gas under pressure downstream of the control valve, at other times of the year the installation operates as a wet type installation. These types of systems are used in un-heated buildings.

Pre-action: This is an otherwise normal dry pipe installation but the control valve is activated by an automatic fire detection system & not the sprinkler head. These types of systems are used where there is a high risk of water damage due to accidental operation of the sprinkler head.
Deluge: These are sprinkler systems only used in special cases for industrial risks. They are most commonly used for protecting tank farms where all the sprinkler heads/nozzles operate simultaneously. Foam is often introduced in to the system.

In buildings fully protected by sprinklers:
• 99% of fires were controlled by sprinklers alone
• 60% of fires were controlled by the spray from no more than 4 sprinklers