What is the primary advantage of a wet-pipe sprinkler system over a dry-pipe system?

The primary advantage of a wet-pipe sprinkler system is its ability to apply water faster. In a wet-pipe system, the pipes are filled with water at all times, meaning that when a sprinkler head is activated, water is immediately available to be discharged and suppress the fire. This rapid response can be critical in controlling a fire before it spreads and causes more damage.

In contrast, dry-pipe systems contain air or nitrogen under pressure, which holds back water in the piping until a fire activates a sprinkler head. This delay in water delivery can impact the initial effectiveness of fire suppression, particularly in early fire stages. While other systems may offer certain benefits, the primary advantage of using a wet-pipe system is the immediate availability of water for quick application, which can significantly enhance firefighting effectiveness.