Water-based sprinkler systems can be categorized into which of the following types?

Water-based sprinkler systems are categorized primarily into dry, preaction, deluge, and wet systems based on their operational characteristics and the types of environments they are designed to protect.

A wet system is the most common type, where water is stored in the pipes and is immediately available when a sprinkler is activated. In a dry system, the pipes are filled with pressurized air rather than water, preventing freezing in cold environments. When a sprinkler head is activated, the air pressure drops, allowing water to flow into the pipes from a separate water supply.

A preaction system acts as a hybrid between wet and dry systems. It utilizes a dry pipe that is charged with air, and the flow of water is only allowed after a detection mechanism has confirmed that a fire exists, thus preventing accidental discharge.

A deluge system is used in specific situations, such as high-hazard environments, where all the sprinkler heads open simultaneously when the system is activated. This setup is particularly effective for controlling large fires that may spread rapidly.

Understanding these distinct types helps fire investigation technicians assess fire safety measures in various structures and respond accordingly to different fire scenarios.