In what situation can sprinkler heads be omitted from closets?

Sprinkler heads can be omitted from closets when the closet space does not exceed 24 square feet. This is based on fire safety regulations that allow for some flexibility in the placement of fire protection systems in smaller spaces. The reasoning behind this is that smaller closets are generally less likely to pose a significant fire risk compared to larger areas due to the limited amount of combustible materials that can be stored within them. When closets exceed this limitation, the risk increases, justifying the requirement for sprinkler protection to enhance fire safety and ensure compliance with fire codes. Such provisions help to balance the need for fire protection with practical considerations of space and installation complexity.