The “Sprinkler” is a heat-sensing device. Sprinkler Systems are of various types, temperature ranges, and designs. The heat sensing element (of the Sprinkler) is pointed to the floor or to the area most prone to fire. The other end of the Sprinkler is connected to a network of pipes storing water under high pressure. Usually from 7bar to 10bar.
When there is a fire, near a Sprinkler; whose temperature is higher than the temperature rated value of the heat sensing element in the Sprinkler. The bulb present inside the Sprinkler, or the heat sensing device bursts and water now flows through the Sprinkler Systems under pressure directly onto the fire affected area.
All of this is automated and happens, within 3mins, of the fire being detected. In this way, Fire Protection Sprinkler System is an automatic, Fire Detection and Extinguishing System. However, Fire Sprinkler Systems was originally meant for Fire Suppression only.