WAY OFFTOPIC: No can do on the stick construction- too many limitations in the way but basically it comes down to the ability to span 24' and 32' respectively with one member (Easy Boys! and no, no one has a member that is that long either). So my choices are basically trusses (roof, floor), LVL plates (floor only) or i- joists (floor only). Having trouble with the cantilever aspect of the i- joist so most likely to go truss in the floor. LVLs will not work as I cannot cut them for plumbing / electrical component passage. I- joists I can cut and trusses are already full of holes.
As far as the sprinkler system, waiting on the word on that but apparently there are no residential sprinkler system 'rules' here regarding testing, certifying etc. So once initially installed, the maintenance cost is effectively zero. And as I said, maybe, just maybe, it <may> make a difference to one or more people down the road ("my" people, the fire dept. people or people I do not even know who own this house in 50 years, makes no difference). I just cannot believe that a given structure without a sprinkler system is as safe, relatively speaking, as the identical structure with a sprinkler system.
BTW, I checked into retarding fire on trusses and found fascinating information about chemically spraying them in the past. It worked well for fire resistance but as it was a form of salt, it corroded all the fasteners used in the trusses.
Score that one a loser.
Back ONTOPIC: Not to worry folks, Ebola and gasoline bursting into flame pale in comparison to heart disease and cancer, and who does not enjoy a good steak (a root cause of both)? Uhmmmm, now I am thinking about taking a Porterhouse down to the gas station, on my bike and gnawing and fueling all at once....
Brian
Ok, if you want to compare an enclosed ignition system to expanding vapors pouring down the side of a bike and static electricity and hot pipes and engine, ok, I get paid whether you die or not, makes no difference to me. Like you said, what do I care, job security. Only takes once, like Ebola, only takes once. BTW, every law, every safety procedure, every policy, every ordinance ever made, passed, voted on or enacted is aimed at the lowest common denominator, you know that, so when you talk about all the things you make sure you do in the form of safety because you know what to do or how to do it, doesn't mean everyone will do it that way or even do it anyway. I wouldn't put a residential sprinkler system in your house to protect firefighters, unless your house is the size of a commercial warehouse and contains millions of dollars of items and is multi level. Spend the money on stick construction as opposed to trusses.