What system automatically supplies water to sprinklers when a fire is detected?

• A. Deluge system
• B. Standpipe system
• C. Fire alarm system
• D. Automatic sprinkler system

Answer: (D)

Automatic sprinkler systems are designed to deliver water to sprinkler heads automatically once heat at a head reaches its rated temperature. Each head has a heat-sensitive element that, when activated, opens and allows water to flow through the piping and out of the sprinklers without human action. The system is precharged or otherwise arranged so water is ready to flow immediately, providing rapid suppression as soon as a fire is detected. This is different from a fire alarm system, which detects and signals a fire but does not supply water, and from a standpipe system, which provides a water source for firefighters rather than automatically sprinkling a room. Deluge systems are a type of automatic sprinkler system where water is released to all heads when activated, but the general automatic sprinkler system covers the standard automatic water discharge to sprinklers.