If a business owner objects to sprinklers due to cost, which would be an appropriate alternative?

• A. Refuse to comply based upon the Unreasonable Man Rule
• B. Refuse to comply because the requirement doesn't come from DSPS
• C. File a petition for variance using the cost of the requirement as a basis for the petition
• D. File a petition for variance indicating other equivalent fire protection methods will meet the intent of the code

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that when a required fire-protection measure creates a cost burden, the proper path is to seek a variance by showing an alternative method that provides the same level of protection and meets the code’s intent. A variance is specifically the route to get approval for different fire protection approaches if they achieve equivalent safety outcomes. Cost alone isn’t enough; the petition must demonstrate that other methods will deliver the same protection as sprinklers. The other options don’t fit because they don’t establish a formal pathway to proven equivalency or rely on improper bases for rejecting the requirement.