On Thu, 31 May 2012 09:27:56 +0100, Phil wrote:

Reduction in your insurance bills might well make retrofit financially
viable.

Except that an accidental activation will cost similar amounts to a
small flood to replace/repair the damage. A fire large enough to
trigger the sprinklers will still require at least that room to be
stripped and rebuilt and the rest of the house will have smoke
damage.

It certainly does in commercial premises where their use isn't already
mandated.

Commercial is different, sprinklers have their place where early
control of a fire is important. Warehouses, places packed with lots
of flammable materials (in the broadest sense), tall buildings where
escape from upper floors isn't possible by "climbing down the knotted
sheets" or jumping.

--
Cheers
Dave.