IREM Certified Property Manager (CPM) Practice Test 2025 - Free CPM Practice Questions and Study Guide

The pre-action sprinkler system is designed to release water only after a specific event, such as the detection of heat or smoke from a fire. This system features an additional step compared to other types of sprinkler systems, requiring that detection devices must activate before the water flows into the pipes and reaches the sprinkler heads.

In a pre-action system, the pipes are filled with air rather than water until the detection system triggers a signal. Once activated, the valves open, allowing water to flow into the pipes and out through the sprinkler heads where firefighting efforts are needed. This dual action makes it highly effective in scenarios where there is a desire to prevent accidental discharge of water, which can happen in environments with sensitive equipment or materials.

Other systems like wet pipe systems have water already in the pipes and are ready for immediate activation upon heat detection, while dry pipe systems maintain air pressure to keep the valves closed until a fire event occurs, but still release water upon activation without the preliminary detection step. The electric sprinkler system is not standard terminology in fire protection and often refers to electrically actuated systems rather than a defined sprinkler system type. Each type has its applications, making the pre-action system particularly useful in environments where false alarms could lead to costly water damage before the fire is