What is an advantage of a preaction sprinkler system?

A preaction sprinkler system is designed to minimize the risk of accidental discharge, which is one of its main advantages. In this type of system, the sprinkler heads do not release water immediately when activated; instead, the system requires both a heat detection event and the activation of the fire alarm before water is released. This dual activation helps to prevent water damage from an unintended discharge, such as from a malfunctioning sprinkler head or a false alarm, which can be particularly important in environments with sensitive equipment or materials that can be adversely affected by water.

The other options do not accurately reflect the functional characteristics of a preaction system. While immediate water flow might be desirable in some scenarios, preaction systems specifically do not provide this feature until certain conditions are met. Additionally, while some systems may be connected to external water sources, this is not a defining advantage of preaction systems. Finally, installation requirements may not necessarily be simpler; often, the complexity of the detection and piping arrangements can lead to a more complicated installation process compared to other types of sprinkler systems.