In accordance with the NFPA standards, the classic sprinkler system is employed to localise the fire. When the sprinkler system is activated, the water dispersed from the spray nozzles localises a fire until the arrival of the fire-fighters, who then douse the fire completely.

ESFR (Early suppression fast response) is a new type of sprinkler system intended for extinguishing fires in warehouses. This system is the first one intended for extinguishing and not just localising the fire.

Basic sprinkler system arrangements:

Sprinkler system – Wet type
sprinkler systems are employed in locations which are not subject to freezing temperatures. With this type of sprinkler system, the line in front of the sprinkler valve (water supply line) and the line behind the sprinkler valve (extinguishing line) is filled with water. This type of sprinkler system is extremely efficient in extinguishing fires as the water flows to the deflector very rapidly (immediately after activation of the sprinkler head).

Sprinkler system – dry
Dry sprinkler systems are employed in locations which are subject to freezing temperatures. With this type of sprinkler system, the line in front of the sprinkler valve (water supply line) is filled with water, while the line behind the sprinkler valve (extinguishing line) is filled with compressed air. This type of sprinkler system experiences a delay in water delivery to the sprinkler head since the air has to be released from the line before the water can be discharged.

Pre-action sprinkler system
Pre-action sprinkler systems are employed in locations where significant damage can occur in the case of accidental activation of the sprinkler heads. With this type of sprinkler system, the line in front of the sprinkler valve (water supply line) is filled with water, while the line behind the sprinkler valve (extinguishing line) is filled with compressed air. The sprinkler valve opens in the case of signal from the fire alarm system and if the pressure in the sprinkler line drops. This type of sprinkler system experiences a delay in water delivery to the sprinkler head since the air has to be released from the line before the water can be discharged.