NFRMarshall,
Oooooops! Forgot to "welcome" you to The Codes Forum, so...
"Welcome!"
Since your conundrum has made it up the chain-of-command to the "top of
city gub`mint" and back down, can we assume that the "top" will support
your requirements for sprinklers? I agree with cda in that; in just your
description, it DOES sound like the facility will require sprinkling and that
is a cost that the owners aren't going to want to digest. As long as you
[ might ] be delivering that piece of good news to them, the downsizing
of quantities; and other options, would lessen the present hazards in a
short time frame. Their safety IS as important as the public' is!
I have the luxury of not being in your position, ...not being at the site, but
only offering suggestions from afar.
Please let us know how this turns out, as some of us would like to know.
Thanks!
.