I took a little umbrage at the message that "So can your local Fire Department expect the usual donation of Eat $h1t from you again this year? "
My local Fire Department is the beneficiary of the St. Mary's Fire Tax. They seem to be doing quite well with the amount they get. They also received a rather large check from the Homeland Security Bill and spent it. They shouldn't need a large donation,but I do support their efforts and their sacrifices on my behalf. I also send a check to the Rescue Squad which was left off the Fire tax for some political reason.
Now as to sprinklers. I looked for some info about sprinklers in rural area's without a domestic water supply and I couldn't find much, but I offer this up,out of my own thoughts.
Sprinklers are wonderful to have. They work. The cost of 1% mentioned in the one article from the State Fire Marshall must surely pertain to a domicile with domestic or city water. It doesn't seem realistic in a situation where the home has a well.
In order for the system to work there has to be a guaranteed water supply.
This water supply has to be free from the need for electricity,as a lightning strike during a storm or a fire during a power outage could easily occur.
In order to have this supply you would need a cistern or tank of a size capable of extinguishing the fire before replenishment was needed. I would guess in the neighborhood of at least 100 gallons, although many fires could be extinguished with 10 gallons in their early stage. A fire in a mattress for example is hard to extinguish as water does not penetrate mattresses or stuffing in furniture very well. They tend to smolder and rekindle later. This tank would either have to be pressurised or it would have to be high enough for gravity to provide an ample flow of water to the fire.
If placed high the ceiling over which it sets would need to be strengthened, There would need to be floats and such in the tank to be sure it stayed full, and sufficient heat in the attic to see it didn't freeze. If pressurised there would need to be a way to keep the proper pressure on it. These appurtenances are expensive and require maintenance.
A sprinkler system with Public water requires almost no maintenance, that's one of the beauties of them.
To sum it up I believe it would be nice to have a sprinkler system and am in favor of them where there is a domestic water supply, I have a few misgivings about them in an area where there is only a well. Not only about the cost which I think the figure of an extra $5,000 per home was mentioned ,but because of the maintenance that would be required, and since it is out of sight it is out of mind for most homeowners, and probably would get little maintenance.