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Unfortunately a grandfather clause does not serve to vitiate liability. Just because a grandfather clause says that sprinklers need not be installed would not necessarily equal a jury saying no liability.
The argument "But we meet the code" doesn't work. The Titanic met all applicable codes and was still short of lifeboat space! Sprinklers are a basic safety item. You can't get a hotel room without them now - at least in a room built within the last 20 years or so. Some houses now have them. Dorms have them. If we have a fire in a house that lacks them I just don't want to be in that courtroom when the jury returns with the verdict.
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