What type of water source is typically used in a fire sprinkler system?

The use of freshwater from municipal supplies or tanks as a water source for fire sprinkler systems is standard practice due to a few key reasons. Freshwater is treated and sanitized, making it safe and effective for firefighting purposes. This quality is critical because fire sprinkler systems must provide reliable water flow to suppress fires effectively, and using contaminated water could compromise the system's performance or safety.

Freshwater also has properties suitable for fire protection, including appropriate pressure and volume requirements needed to operate the sprinkler heads properly. Municipal water supplies are maintained to ensure they meet these requirements, which is crucial for the effectiveness of fire suppression efforts.

On the other hand, saltwater could lead to corrosion and damage to the system's components, which typically are not designed to handle such aggressive environments. Pumped water from wells may not always be treated or maintained to meet the necessary safety standards. Recycled wastewater, while useful in some applications, typically does not meet the sanitary standards required for use in firefighting systems due to potential contaminants. Therefore, the reliance on freshwater sources underscores the importance of safety, efficiency, and compliance in fire protection systems.