有许多供水问题会影响建筑物中自动喷水灭火系统的安装。其中最重要的一个问题是，由于可能用水，对配备自动喷水灭火系统的房产征收备用费用。所有关于自动喷水灭火系统的讨论都有一个共同点，即这些系统使用大量的水，应该为此征税。作者认为，通过更好地理解自动喷水灭火系统的设计及其在火灾中的运行方式，可以改变这些误解。本文讨论了确定自动喷水灭火系统总需水量的六个基本步骤。 这些步骤包括:选择安装标准；选择正确的分类（轻度危险、一般危险1组、一般危险2组、特殊危险1组、特殊危险2组）；确定建筑物的位置和大小；确定系统中液压最偏远区域的位置和大小；指定在最偏远区域地板上输送的最低水密度；以及确定将运行的洒水器数量。作者的结论是，选择或按照建筑规范要求安装洒水装置的建筑业主不应被评估额外费用。根据目前的做法，没有洒水的建筑物的业主需要最高的水需求，对供水设施的能力造成最大的压力，支付的费用最低。 因此，如果必须制定备用费用，则应涵盖水区内的所有建筑物，并根据建筑物的消防流量需求进行评估。

There are a number of water supply issues that impact the installation of a fire sprinkler system in a building. Not the least of which is the issue of stand-by charges levied against properties with fire sprinkler systems due to their potential for water use. The common thread that runs through all discussions pertaining to fire sprinkler systems is that these systems use large amounts of water and should be taxed for it. The author believes that these misconceptions can be changed with a better understanding of how fire sprinkler systems are designed and how they operate in a fire. This paper discusses six basic steps used in determining the total water flow demand of a fire sprinkler system. These steps include: selecting the installation standard; selecting the correct classification (light hazard, ordinary hazard group 1, ordinary hazard group 2, extra hazard group 1, extra hazard group 2); determining the location and size of the building; identifying the location and size of the hydraulically most remote area in the system; designating a minimum density of water to be delivered over the floor of the most remote area; and determining the number of sprinklers that will operate. The author concludes that building owners that opt for, or that are required to install sprinklers per the building code should not be assessed an additional fee. Under the current practice, the owner of the building that is not sprinklered requires the highest water demand, putting the greatest strain on the capabilities of the water utility and pays the least. Therefore, stand-by charges, if they must be enacted, should cover all buildings in the water district and be assessed contingent on the fire flow demand of the building.