In your original post you state the insurance underwriter is the party with the concern. The owner has no obligation to follow insurance recommendations. On the other hand, the insurance company has the option of raising rates or dropping them entirely for not doing what they recommend. If the plywood is not fire-retardant treated, I don’t believe NFPA 13 provides any options for not protecting that space. Back when this building was built, there might have been an agreement with local AHJ that sprinklers were not required (for all the reasons others have stated). Ultimately, if it’s not required by local/state authorities, it’s the owner’s option. Cost of design/installation vs potential insurance savings becomes a factor.
Ed Kramer Bamford Fire From: Patrick Tomaszewski <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2026 8:21 AM To: Discussion list on issues relating to automatic fire sprinklers <[email protected]> Subject: [Sprinklerforum] Re: Attic space Attached are a couple of pics of the structure. First is the “attic” space. Second is the space above the ceiling of the second story. The whole building is non-combustible construction. Except for this roof sheathing , which is completely separate from the rest of the building by a concrete slab. [signature_2544299208] Patrick tomaszewski | Estimator www.valiantfireco.com<http://www.valiantfireco.comorg> [email protected] <mailto:[email protected] > 📍3910 Howe rd. Wayne, MI 48184 “Every Second Matters.” IG<https://www.instagram.com/valiantsec.mi/> • FB<https://www.facebook.com/valiantsec.mi> • LINKED IN<https://www.linkedin.com/company/valiant-security-llc> From: Ben Young <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Sent: Monday, April 20, 2026 2:47 PM To: Discussion list on issues relating to automatic fire sprinklers <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Subject: [Sprinklerforum] Re: Attic space Is the plywood fire retardant treated? Benjamin Young On Mon, Apr 20, 2026 at 2:38 PM <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: as far as i could tell there was no fuel fire equipment in the spaces. the couple of spots i looked inside, there was nothing in this space just completely void aside from the metal framing members. _________________________________________________________ SprinklerForum mailing list: https://lists.firesprinkler.org/list/sprinklerforum.lists.firesprinkler.org To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
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