In a storage warehouse in Alaska that will not be heated and experiences temperatures from -40°F to 80°F, which sprinkler system would be recommended?

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In unheated spaces that can swing to very cold temperatures, the priority is to avoid water-filled pipes that can freeze and burst. A dry pipe system keeps the piping pressurized with air (or nitrogen) while the water sits in a separate supply and valves. When a sprinkler head is activated, water is released into the dry pipes and travels to the head. This means the actual piping stays dry in freezing conditions, reducing the risk of freezing damage and maintaining fire protection in a warehouse that won’t be heated in Alaska.

Wet pipe systems would have water-filled pipes that can readily freeze in -40°F, leading to damage and loss of service. Preaction systems require a detection trigger before water enters the pipes, which adds complexity and potential delay—not ideal for rapid protection in a large unheated space. Deluge systems flood all heads with water, which is unnecessary for typical protection and increases flood risk in a cold, unheated building.

So, the dry pipe setup is the best fit for an unheated warehouse facing extreme winter temperatures.