What system is primarily used to limit the toxic gases released during a fire?

The choice of automatic fire sprinklers as the system primarily used to limit toxic gases released during a fire is based on their effective role in controlling fires and minimizing smoke production. When a fire occurs, the primary danger, aside from the flames, is the toxic smoke generated by burning materials. Automatic fire sprinklers activate when the heat from a fire reaches a certain threshold, spraying water to suppress the flames. By controlling the spread of the fire and lowering the overall temperature, sprinklers significantly reduce the amount of smoke and toxic gases produced.

While other systems like smoke vents and exhaust fans can also play a role in smoke management, their primary function is to remove smoke once it is present rather than preventing it from being created in the first place. Manual fire extinguishers primarily focus on immediate fire control but do not provide the same level of fire suppression as automatic sprinklers in larger incidents. Therefore, automatic fire sprinklers stand out as the primary system responsible for limiting the production of toxic gases during a fire.