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The Messy City Podcast cover image

Code Reform is not just about Zoning

The Messy City Podcast

NOTE

Evaluate Costs vs. Benefits of Fire Sprinklers

The cost versus benefit of installing fire sprinklers in buildings presents a complex dilemma. One key consideration is the significant expense of fire sprinkler systems, which can cost around $18,000 before installation, disproportionately impacting smaller buildings like a two-story four-plex compared to larger structures. Moreover, evidence suggests that fire sprinklers do not significantly save lives or structures but mainly extend the time for occupants to exit during a fire, especially in corridors, hotels, or high-rises. Building designs that include shared amenities might command higher rents, but if the costs of construction with sprinklers outweigh potential revenue, developers may opt for alternatives like townhouses. The requirement for fire sprinklers particularly affects the feasibility of building within the 'missing middle' segment, which includes easily constructed wood-framed buildings. In essence, if the construction costs, influenced heavily by sprinkler requirements, cannot be recuperated through rental income or sales price, the project becomes unviable.

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