What is a potential drawback of dry sprinkler systems in terms of water flow?

The potential drawback of dry sprinkler systems with respect to water flow is that activation can take longer than 90 seconds. This delay occurs because dry sprinkler systems rely on compressed air or nitrogen to keep the water in the supply pipes at bay. When the system is activated, it must first exhaust the air pressure before water can flow into the system and begin discharging through the sprinklers. This process inherently adds a time factor to the activation and subsequent water delivery, making it less effective in situations where rapid suppression is crucial.

Conversely, a consistent water flow is generally not a drawback of these systems, as it is their purpose to provide water when needed. While dry sprinkler systems can be used in unheated spaces, they can also be prone to complications if such spaces are not maintained properly. Rather than leaking when activated, they are designed to contain the water until there is a trigger event, helping to prevent unnecessary water damage prior to a fire.