What is a key difference between using a wet-pipe and a dry-pipe fire suppression system in a data center?

The key difference between wet-pipe and dry-pipe fire suppression systems lies in whether the pipes are filled with water before a fire is detected. In a wet-pipe system, the pipes are constantly filled with water under pressure. When a fire is detected, the sprinkler heads activate, and water is immediately discharged onto the fire. This provides a rapid response, but it also means that any accidental activation of a sprinkler head can result in water damage. In contrast, a dry-pipe system has pipes filled with pressurized air or nitrogen. When a fire is detected, the air pressure is released, which opens a valve and allows water to flow into the pipes and discharge through the sprinkler heads. This process takes longer than a wet-pipe system, but it reduces the risk of accidental water damage, as the pipes are not filled with water until a fire is detected. While dry-pipe systems mitigate the risk of accidental water discharge, they have a delayed response time compared to wet-pipe systems and can be more complex to maintain.