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Hoping for some insights… We’re a 4-unit co-op, and we have a sprinkler system in the building common areas only, installed when the townhouse was converted to co-op in the early ’80s.

In past years we got the OK on our annual sprinkler test. However, for various reasons we let this lapse the last 3 years. We recently got a plumber in who said he can’t pass us on the test because our system wouldn’t work properly. It’s not a matter of it just not being up to current code–apparently as an older building we do not have to meet the most current code requirements. He’s saying it literally wouldn’t work even under the more lax requirements for our buildings, because the pipes, and therefore sprinkler heads, are too close to the wall. He quoted us $4900 to upgrade the entire system.

We’re not quite sure how we passed inspections in the past… Is it common for plumbers to just give a token “pass”? (And if so, can anyone recommend such a plumber…)

Personal opinions please: how crucial do you feel it is to keep up with this annual inspection? How likely is the fire dept. to show up and fine us if we don’t? How much of a fire risk are we taking, and how valuable is a hallway sprinkler system like this really?