Trade-ups can increase fire safety, control municipal operating expenses and lower construction costs. The best time to take advantage of the trade-up concept for subdivision development savings is prior to submitting subdivision plans. When proper subdivision and development options are provided, development cost can be reduced. Sprinklered developments provide an excellent opportunity to provide increased fire safety.

The cost of developing raw land into an approved building site can be significantly reduced through trade-ups. These options are only applicable if all the buildings in the development will have built-in automatic fire protection.

Including fire sprinklers in all new construction is a win-win decision. The community has additional fire protection without higher taxes or increased insurance rates. The developer can reduce land development costs. The builder can reduce construction costs. And the buyer will have increased life and property protection at a lower cost.

Trade-Up Options
Street Width Reduction: Traffic lanes may be narrowed, substantially reducing the amount of pavement in every linear foot of street in the development.

Longer Dead-end Streets: Dead-end streets may be increased in length allowing additional building lots to be accessed.

Tee Turnarounds Permitted: The permitted use of tee turnarounds in sprinklered developments can create at least one additional lot per cul-de-sac.

Increased Street Grades and Building Setbacks: Steeper street grades and building locations further from paved fire vehicle access may be permitted.

Additional Units Permitted: Although the actual percentage may vary, increases up to 20 percent are not uncommon.

Expansion of Existing Water Supply May Not Be Needed: Required fire flows for fully sprinklered developments can be greatly reduced compared to non-sprinklered developments.

Increased Hydrant Spacing: Supply mains may be reduced and hydrant spacing can be increased.

Decreased Death Rates and Property Loss: Over time, communities with fully sprinklered developments should see a decrease in fire death rates and property loss.