Which type of fire suppression system is designed to prevent water damage even in case of accidental pipe breakage?

The Pre Action System is specifically designed to minimize water damage in the event of an accidental pipe breakage. This type of fire suppression system combines features of both wet and dry pipe systems. It contains a dry pipe that is filled with air until a fire detection system activates, which then opens valves to allow water into the pipes. This two-step activation process helps prevent water from flowing unless necessary for fire suppression. Consequently, if there were to be any accidental breakage in the pipes, no water would leak out because the system relies on the detection of actual fire conditions before permitting water flow.

This setup is particularly advantageous in environments where water damage needs to be controlled, such as in data centers, museums, or areas with sensitive materials. The distinctive mechanism of requiring both a detection event and subsequent valve action helps to ensure that water is only present in the pipes when there is an actual fire emergency, thus reducing the risk of unintentional water damage from pipe failures.