Are Fire Sprinklers Required in an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Hi I’m Brian Freeman. Today I want to discuss ADUs and fire sprinklers. Questions often arise during the design/plans phase. A common question is “do we have to install fire sprinklers into a detached ADU?” The answer is “maybe.” If the main home or dwelling has fire sprinklers, sprinklers are definitely required in the new ADU.
When the main house does not have fire sprinklers, then the new ADU does not require them. You can find out more information on ADUs not requiring fire sprinklers in another blog.
Do We Recommend Not Installing Fire Sprinklers in Your ADU?
Not installing fire sprinklers can save $2,500 to $3,000 on a project, but we do not recommend this, and instead recommend installing fire sprinklers. Sometimes people confuse occupancy safety with wildfires. When a fire in the home is in the incipient stage, the heat triggers the fire sprinklers which ends the fire threat immediately, while it is still in that initial stage. Although we recommend them, they are not required when they do not exist in the main home.
The City of Poway
The City of Poway is a little different from the County of San Diego. Poway allows ADUs up to 1,500 square feet. Anything over 1,200 square feet automatically kicks any dwelling into a mandatory fire sprinkler install. ADUs in Poway often require upgrading the water meter because many older homes have a three-quarter inch meter instead of a one-inch meter.
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4 Comments
“When the main house does not have fire sprinklers, then the new ADU does not require them.” Can you site your source (ie building code, fire code, etc) for this statement?
Gene I have had many conversations with the City of Poway fire department and the Building Department in regards to this. It is also on the ADU handout they have on their website. I hope this helps.
Hi. I have a new ADU of 988 sf, 4 bedrooms, 2 bath. I will need to have fire sprinklers but wanted to know where they would have to be located in this ADU (kitch, ea bathroom or bedroom?)
Another question, this unit is behind the main house, permitted driveway of 10 feet to access back, and the house is approx 225 feet from street front, but has access on neighboring side. I was told after built I will need fire sprinklers. They say code says I need a 16″ driveway….who has a 16 ft driveway?? No one in my whole neighborhood has this large of a driveway. I have turn around and the trucks do fit down my driveway as one has come on property before. Is there a way to get an waiver on this since it has already been built??? Just asking. Thanks.
Hi Cami, you will need fire sprinklers in all of the main rooms of the home like beds, baths, living areas and hallways. You may not need them in closets if they are typical size but if they are large walk-in closets you will need to put them in their too. The 16 ft driveway requirements should be waived for the ADU.