Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) Practice Exam

What is a key difference between wet pipe and dry pipe sprinkler systems?

1. Wet pipe systems have higher maintenance costs.

2. Wet pipe systems are less expensive to install.

3. Dry pipe systems respond faster to fires.

4. Dry pipe systems are more efficient in cold climates.

The correct answer is: Wet pipe systems are less expensive to install.

The correct choice highlights that wet pipe systems are typically less expensive to install compared to dry pipe systems. This is primarily because wet pipe systems are filled with water at all times and require less complex piping and valve configurations. The installation of the water supply directly into the system simplifies the design and reduces the overall need for additional components, such as air compressors or specialized control valves, which are necessary for dry pipe systems. In contrast, dry pipe systems, which contain pressurized air or nitrogen to hold back water until activation, involve more components and complexity, leading to higher initial costs. The other options mention maintenance and efficiency under specific conditions. Wet pipe systems have relatively lower maintenance needs due to their simpler design, while dry pipe systems, although beneficial in freezing conditions, generally incur additional costs in terms of installation and maintenance. The claimed speed of response for dry pipe systems can also be misleading, as the activation delay when the system is triggered can make them slower in certain scenarios.