Wiz, you've got me thinking. I've always been a great advocate for sprinklers wherever possible - but why?
There was the study by the BRE a few years ago, Report 204505 I think, don't quote me - that's off the top of my head and I can't be bothered looking it up - on the effectiveness of sprinklers in residential premises (you know the one) - that did some cost-benefit analysis on such sprinklers and made its recommendations. But I'm not aware of any cost-benefit analysis for sprinklers in commercial premises generally. It would be good if anyone, aware of such analysis, could point to it.
There's a good chance there isn't any, in which case there is certainly room for such a study.
Schools belong in a category of their own, as did residential premises, and should be analysed separately. Also, of course, there are the life safety sprinklers that are essential for safe conditions to prevail in the premises. But the property protection systems could happily be subject of some analysis. Maybe this is the domain of the fire insurance companies so maybe they have some information in this respect.
Stu