What happens when a sprinkler head opens in a Dry Pipe Sprinkler System?

In a Dry Pipe Sprinkler System, when a sprinkler head opens due to heat from a fire, the pressurized air within the system is released, causing a reduction in air pressure. This reduction in air pressure allows the dry pipe valve to open, which then permits water from a supply line to flow into the pipes and through the open sprinkler head to extinguish the fire. This system is designed to maintain air pressure in the pipes until a fire is detected, at which point the opening of a sprinkler head changes the pressure dynamics, allowing water to be released where it is needed.

The design of Dry Pipe Systems is particularly important because they are filled with air instead of water. This means that water cannot be released until a sprinkler head is activated, providing a significant advantage in protecting against water damage in unheated spaces and locations subject to freezing.