Fire Sprinkler Alternatives

[Steve I.]

Does anyone have documentation/examples of using an “Early Warning Fire Alarm System” instead of Fire Sprinklers”? We are trying to make a case to the City/Fire Department to accept a Fire Alarm System instead of Fire Sprinklers. We are a restaurant under 5,000 sq. ft, so the sprinklers are not required under the California Code, but they are required under the City code. We just completed a San Gabriel Valley restaurant built-out and are just about to open. However, we are now being asked to install Fire Sprinklers.