Fire Suppression System vs. Sprinkler System: A Comparison

For any architect, design is important—but nowhere close to as important as life safety. Architects want our buildings to be safe, solution-focused and a joy to all who enter them, but it can be challenging balancing these priorities along with fire safety. A question we frequently hear is “what’s the difference between fire suppression systems and sprinkler systems? Are they the same? Is one better than the other?

Let’s dig in.

Fire Suppression Systems

Fire suppression systems are created to identify and manage fires quickly to avoid harm or damage. The systems come in different types such as gas-based, foam-based and dry chemical-based systems.

Gas-Based Fire Suppression Systems

Utilizing gas-based fire suppression systems involves discharging an inactive gas or a mixture of gasses that leads to a reduction in oxygen concentration in the impacted area. Consequently, the fire is deprived of the oxygen necessary for combustion. Common gasses employed in these systems include carbon dioxide, nitrogen and argon.

Foam-Based Fire Suppression Systems

Foam-based fire suppression systems operate by discharging a foam substance that creates a layer over the burning material. This process involves obstructing the oxygen supply, which leads to the cooling and suffocation of the fire. These types of systems are particularly effective for flammable liquid fires.

Dry Chemical-Based Fire Suppression Systems

Dry chemical systems discharge a fine powder that interrupts the chemical reaction necessary for combustion. These systems are suitable for a wide range of fires, including electrical and flammable liquid fires.

Sprinkler Systems

A sprinkler system is a fire protection system that uses water. It has pipes and sprinkler heads that work together to distribute water on a fire. Sprinkler systems can prevent flames from spreading and cool them down. Some common examples are wet pipe, dry pipe, pre-action and deluge systems.

Wet Pipe Sprinkler Systems

These are the most common type of sprinkler system, and they feature a network of pipes filled with water under pressure. When a sprinkler head is activated by heat, the water is immediately discharged onto the fire.

Dry Pipe Sprinkler Systems

Dry pipe sprinkler systems do not keep water in the pipes at the sprinkler heads. They use pressurized air or nitrogen instead. During a fire, the air pressure in the line decreases in order to allow water to flow through the pipes and put out the fire. These systems are ideal for areas where freezing temperatures happen because they prevent wet pipe systems from freezing.

Pre-Action Sprinkler Systems

Pre-action sprinkler systems are a hybrid of wet and dry pipe systems. They require two separate events (such as heat and smoke detection) to activate the sprinkler system, providing an added layer of protection against accidental discharge.

Deluge Sprinkler Systems

Deluge sprinkler systems use open sprinkler heads connected to a dry pipe system. When the system is triggered, all the sprinkler heads release water at the same time.

Comparison: Fire Suppression Systems vs. Sprinkler Systems

Both systems work to control the spread of fire, but their differences need to be understood in order to ensure the best system is used for your circumstances.

Fire suppression systems are faster than sprinkler systems because they are linked to smoke and heat detectors. In contrast, sprinkler systems only come on when the heat reaches a specific level and the trigger sets off the sprinkler heads.

Suppression Agent

Fire suppression systems use various agents, such as gasses, foams and dry chemicals to control or extinguish fires while sprinkler systems primarily use water. The choice of suppression agent depends on the specific hazards and environment of the protected area.

When choosing between fire suppression and sprinkler systems, consider the location's sensitivity to water damage. Fire suppression systems are best for places like data centers, museums and hospitals where water damage could be harmful. Fire suppression systems may be a more suitable investment for facilities where fire damage can be costly. In contrast, sprinkler systems are better suited for commercial and residential buildings where water damage is less of a concern, although sprinkler systems are cheaper to install and maintain.

Smoke Guard Smoke Curtains: A Great Adjunct to Fire Suppression

In addition to fire suppression systems and sprinkler systems, Smoke Guard smoke curtains can be an invaluable addition to your fire protection strategy. Smoke Guard smoke curtains are designed to compartmentalize smoke and reduce the spread of toxic fumes and smoke during a fire event.

Benefits of Smoke Guard Smoke Curtains:

Enhance the effectiveness of fire suppression systems by reducing the spread of smoke and heat
Provide additional time for occupants to egress the building safely
Can help contain fires and minimize property damage

By limiting the spread of smoke and toxic fumes, Smoke Guard smoke curtains can work in tandem with fire suppression systems and sprinkler systems to provide an extra layer of protection and potentially save both lives and property.

Different Types of Smoke Guard Curtains

Elevator Protection

Our elevator smoke containment curtains, when used in tandem with fire-rated doors, provide complete and code-compliant protection against smoke infiltration. Installing these curtains in elevator openings is a simple task, and they seamlessly integrate with existing fire safety systems to bring a building up to code swiftly.

Vertical Openings and Windows

Smoke Guard’s fire and smoke-rated curtains can also be used in other vertical openings besides elevators and are an affordable option for various openings like atriums, wall openings and specialty enclosures that need fire-rated protection. Our automatically closing fire windows and fire shutters are perfect for safeguarding windows near property boundaries. To secure window openings passively, we offer a fire-rated assembly that deploys through a fusible link and requires no electrical connection.

Horizontal Openings

The Smoke Guard M3000 is a fire-rated structure that can be used as a protective barrier between floors. It deploys horizontally like a curtain and helps to separate large spaces like atriums. This eliminates the need for mechanical smoke evacuation systems.

Smoke Guard's Innovative Protection Systems Improve the Life-Saving Capabilities of All Fire Safety Systems

At Smoke Guard, we specialize in providing innovative protection solutions designed to enhance the performance of all fire safety systems. Whether through elevator, perimeter or draft protection, we are dedicated to keeping your project as safe as possible. And by adding Smoke Guard smoke curtains to your existing fire protection strategy, you can improve the overall safety of your building quickly and cost-effectively.