In another life as a builder I always installed a sprinkler head at the water supply piping above the gas fired water heater/FAU whether they where located in the garage or a mechanical closet.
Out here on the left coast we didn’t build basements, but in the last few years they’re coming back into vogue. City planning departments in their percentage of lot coverage and height restrictions have folks putting in full basements for their cars, wine storage, au pair, and media rooms. I used to enjoy writing up the lack of EE from some of those areas when I was inspecting them. It always amazed me how so very many people had more money then sense.
"But it was built with a city permit so it has to be right!"

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Jerry McCarthy
Construction Consultant
www.expertbuildingconsultants.com