Is there any issue having standard wet sprinklers in work areas that contain electrical equipment such as work equipment (e.g. DSE, Printers, copiers etc. not talking about fixed electrical installations such as plant)?

I know water and electricity do not mix but an employee raised a concern and im struggling to find any real guidance on the topic.

Sorry for the late response.

I test sprinkler systems for my employers, an insurance company. We therefore have access to fire data and sprinkler leakage issues.

In a genuine fire incident the sprinkler head/s above the fire will activate at 68 deg C (or higher). Yes, water will fall on to electrical equipment but nobody should be in the area in any event since the fire is well enough developed to trigger the sprinker head. Sprinklers are not as sensitive as fire alarm detectors by the way.

Sprinkler leakage is extremely uncommon. If you are talking about an office environment the main thing to consider is hanging items on sprinkler heads, e.g. Xmas decorations. This is a big no no.

For some applications you may not want to have the sprinkler water pipes charged with water. For example a business critical data centre or a high voltage switchgear room. For small rooms you can use multiple jet systems. These are triggered by a dry sprinkler head in the room. Water charged jets then spray the outside walls and openings into that room to prevent the fire breaking out of the compartment.

For larger rooms, e.g. a data hall, you would use a pre-action system where the sprinkler pipes are charged with compressed air. On activation the air escapes and a valve then allows water to flow into the pipework. This is usually linked to the automatic fire alarm system on a double knock principle as well. The valve will only lift if the fire alarm system has detected the fire.

If you are responsible for the sprinkler system (the main valve sits within your property) then your insurers will normally inspect and test it annually. Their sprinkler surveyors will be able to answer any other queries you may have.