Simple cost effective techniques for alleviating water supply deficiencies in a residential sprinkler system installed in a one or two-family dwelling have been examined. The equipment associated with compensating for an inadequate municipal water supply using water storage tanks, booster pumps, and large diameter pipe have been investigated for efficiency and cost effectiveness. Hydraulically-designed, NFPA 13D, residential sprinkler systems in seven residences were used to carry out this research. The seven selected floor plans of one- and two-family dwellings included in this project were representative of a wide range of designs currently being utilized in actual residential subdivisions under construction at the time of the project in the Baltimore-Washington area. The simple technique for determining the installation cost of a sprinkler system was formulated following an analysis of the sprinkler system versus the key design features of the dwelling. Emphasis was placed on developing a technique which was accurate and easy to apply with minimal time and effort.