How does Automist address these challenges?

Automist is a smart water-mist fire suppression system that was engineered specifically to overcome the hurdles of traditional sprinklers in homes and ADUs. Here’s how Automist solves the common problems:

Code-compliant fire protection: Automist is tested to meet the same fire performance standards as NFPA 13D residential sprinklers. It provides equivalent life safety – in fact, California recognizes Automist as a compliant means to meet fire sprinkler requirements in ADUs (it “meets R313 fire safety requirements”). In other words, installing Automist in an ADU can satisfy the building code’s sprinkler mandate, as it offers the required level of fire suppression for one- and two-family dwellings. Always verify with your local authorities, but Automist’s performance is backed by a UL Listing so that it can be approved as an alternative solution in sprinkler-required scenarios.
Minimal water usage: Automist uses about 90% less water than a typical sprinkler system. Its total flow rate is only around 2.4 gallons per minute, compared to 20–30 GPM for standard sprinklers. This dramatically lower water demand means no need to upsize your water meter or supply line in most cases. The system can run off a normal domestic water connection (3/4″ line, standard meter) because it uses a high-pressure pump to create a fine mist from a small volume of water. This saves you from expensive utility upgrades and also limits water damage in a fire – less water sprayed means less mess to clean up.
No major plumbing infrastructure changes: Because of its low flow, Automist typically does not require a new water tap, enlarged meter, or additional water tank on site. It connects to the existing cold water supply in the ADU (usually the same line feeding a sink or washing machine). You avoid the headache of coordinating with the water company for new service. And since there’s no big tank or heavy piping network, you skip the associated costs and delays. Automist also includes backflow protection within the system, so you satisfy plumbing codes without needing a separate large backflow preventer assembly on your property.
Wall-mounted design with no ceiling piping: Unlike ceiling sprinklers, Automist uses discreet wall-mounted spray heads that deliver a fine mist across the room. These units are fed by flexible small-diameter hoses that can be routed through cabinets or walls without tearing up your ceilings. It was designed with retrofits in mind – the flexible hoses don’t need to go through the ceiling at all. This means an installer can typically add Automist to an existing ADU with far less destruction. There’s no need to open up every ceiling; the system can often be finished through existing cavities or surface-mounted in inconspicuous ways. For homeowners, that translates to a cleaner, faster installation and virtually no loss of interior aesthetics.

Compact equipment that saves space: All Automist hardware is designed to fit into tight places – ideal for small ADUs. The heart of the system (a pump unit and control panel) has a footprint of roughly 9″ × 7″ and 14″ tall. It can easily sit inside a kitchen cabinet or under a sink. By contrast, a traditional residential sprinkler setup might require a large manifold, a tank, or at least a dedicated corner of a utility room. For ADUs where every square foot counts, Automist’s compact size is a big advantage – you won’t sacrifice a closet or shed to fit the fire safety system.

Learn more - How does Automist compare to a traditional NFPA 13D sprinkler system in an ADU?