What type of system operates effectively with or without air pressure?

The preaction system operates effectively with or without air pressure due to its unique design features. This system utilizes a combination of both water and air pressure to ensure that the sprinkler heads do not activate until there is both a fire event and the associated detection system has been triggered.

In a preaction system, the pipes are typically filled with air and are not pressurized with water until a fire is detected. This allows for an extra level of safety as the risk of accidental discharge is minimized. If the system is functioning correctly, it can respond accurately to actual fire conditions while remaining inactive under normal circumstances.

This multifunctional operation is particularly valuable in environments that may be sensitive to accidental water discharge, such as data centers or museums, where water damage from a mistakenly activated sprinkler can be just as problematic as a fire.

In contrast, a wet pipe system requires water to always be present in the pipes, making it reliant on a constant water supply. A dry pipe system, while it does not have water in the pipes until activation, still requires a certain level of air pressure to keep the valves closed. A deluge system operates under different conditions where all sprinkler heads open simultaneously in the event of a fire, relying on an uninterrupted water supply without the moderation