Valley Fire Protection Services

Fire Sprinkler Installation

The best designed fire sprinkler system isn’t worth much if it isn’t installed correctly. At Valley Fire Protection, we have the expertise to handle all types of fire sprinkler installations, including wet, dry, pre-action and deluge systems.

Our customer service is top-notch, and we offer many other services that will impact the quality of your system, including routine inspection, maintenance and repair. Our response times are fast and we will make sure any emergency you have is quickly resolved, regardless of the time of day or night.

Fire sprinkler requirements for commercial buildings

If your commercial property is larger than 5,000 square feet, the law requires that it be equipped with a certified fire sprinkler system.  Regardless of the size of your commercial property, to fully ensure that the structure and everything inside of it is safe from fire you should consider having a fire sprinkler system installed. Even if it’s just a storage facility, sprinklers are needed to ensure that if your facility experiences a fire emergency it won’t affect buildings around it.

The National Fire Protection Association, (NFPA) has established a national standard for installation of fire sprinkler systems, known as NFPA 13. This standard has been adopted by fire departments throughout the country. However, local governments typically have additional rules and requirements. At VFP, we know which codes affect you and we’ll install the right equipment so you’re up to code.

Fire sprinkler installation services

As you think about fire sprinkler installation services at your commercial property, consider contractors that can handle the following:

  • Design-build sprinkler system

    For one of the best fire sprinkler systems, have a design-build company like Valley Fire handle the design, build and installation of the system. With Valley Fire, there is no confusion regarding what your property requires, how it is built or how it is ultimately installed to fit your structure and your unique needs.

  • Fire sprinkler system retrofits

    When a property is repurposed or remodeled, it could require some alterations to your existing system. Also, as local and national codes change regularly, you’ll need to ensure that you’re in compliance, particularly with your sprinkler heads. In some cases a complete replacement might be required in a retrofit situation, especially if the system is old or if the type of business within it handles different types of flammable materials.

  • Sprinkler relocation

    If a part of your building becomes repurposed, it will probably require a different type or amount of sprinklers. This might entail installing new pipe along with those sprinklers, so choose a contractor like Valley Fire that has the experience to pull it off.

  • 24-hour emergency services

    To ensure that your fire sprinkler system is up to the task of protecting your property and employees, it must be in proper working order. However, if something breaks after hours, that doesn’t mean you don’t need protection. Contact your 24-hour sprinkler professional to have repairs made immediately.

  • Fire sprinkler system maintenance programs

    The best sprinkler systems are maintained on a regular basis. A professional will regularly check various aspects of the system, including water pumps, valves and other components of the system to ensure it will operate when called upon.

  • Complete fire system engineering services

    At Valley Fire Protection, we inspect our clients’ properties, evaluating the best type of system for the structure and put our engineers to work designing and building a highly functioning system. But we don’t stop there – we will also expertly install the system and maintain the system so it will always be in top working order. Contact us today at (630) 761-3168 if you’re in Illinois or at (219) 472-0083 if you’re in Indiana.

Skender Construction Logo

“Skender Construction would like to thank you and the entire Valley Fire Protection team that worked with us to make the NorthShore Place project such a success. We would not have been able to complete such a remarkable project without your help.

We really enjoyed working with Rob and the rest of the Valley team over the last year and appreciate their hard work and dedication. We look forward to working with you and your team again in the future.”

A. Barshan, J. Pecoraro, B. MacGregor, T. Herman, B. Ribordy, J. Richardson, P. Bandauski

Fire Sprinkler Systems

Four major types of commercial sprinkler systems

Every building is unique in structure and purpose and so are the fire protection systems that protect them. Areas of a building that are left unheated or areas that contain flammable materials, for example, must be treated differently in order to provide proper protection. Buildings that house important documents, data or electronic equipment require a specialized fire suppression system to protect them from the damage a water-based fire system would cause in the event of a fire.

  • Wet pipe sprinkler installation

    Far and away the most common type of system installed in commercial properties is the wet pipe system. The pipes are filled with water and, upon activation, this type of system reacts very quickly to extinguish a fire.

  • Dry pipe sprinkler installation

    Water is capable of extinquishing the most common structural fires, but some buildings have areas where water cannot go. A dry pipe sprinkler system is perfect for these situations. Unheated areas such as canopies, attics and docking areas are exposed to freezing temperatures throughout the cold winter months, thus the pipes that protect those areas must be filled with air to prevent freeze-ups. Water is held back by pressurized air until a fire triggers the system to operate and releases water into the system to suppress the fire. This is ideal for buildings that aren’t outfitted with heaters, such as storage facilities/warehouses. This prevents water from freezing in the pipes, preventing them from bursting or becoming clogged and non-functional.

  • Pre-action sprinkler installation

    Pre-action fire sprinkler systems are similar to dry pipe systems in that water is not housed within the entire piping system. The difference is that water is held back by a valve, which is controlled by flame, heat or smoke detection. Libraries, data centers and fine arts buildings containing highly valuable and water-sensitive materials or equipment should have a pre-action system installed. These systems require two triggers to start the flow of water. First, the system will identify a developing fire and the valve will open to introduce water into the piping system. Second, a sprinkler head will activate the flow of water to extinguish the fire. In case of a false alarm or a mechanical failure, a pre-action system will prevent undo damage by waiting for the second trigger to release water into the sensitive area.

  • Deluge sprinkler installation

    Deluge fire sprinkler systems are installed in high hazard facilities that require a large amount of water or foam to snuff out a flame quickly. They are similar to a pre-action system in that the valve is opened by the operation of a smoke or heat detection system. What makes these systems unique is that all sprinkler heads, or nozzles, are always open and when water is released into the system it flows from all nozzles at once. If your commercial building stores highly flammable materials, you’re likely to have one of these installed. They are common in locations like airplane hangars, power plants, chemical processing plants and industrial parks.

Don’t guess about what type of system you require! Contact Valley Fire Protection and we’ll inspect your facility and design the perfect system. Furthermore, we’ll expertly install it and have you on a regular maintenance schedule to ensure yours is always ready to respond to an emergency.

Common installations

Sprinkler systems in different industries

What is a perfect match for one industry would be non-effective in another. At Valley Fire Protection, we’ve worked with clients in many industries, installing the best sprinkler systems for their property.

  • Industrial and manufacturing

    Popular installations in industrial and manufacturing structures are the deluge system and dry pipe system. Some manufacturing areas may not be heated, which means water pipes are prone to freezing. For this reason, the dry pipe system is the optimal choice. However, should the industrial or manufacturing property house or deal with unstable combustibles, a deluge system, which pumps out high volumes of water or other firefighting mediums, is the go-to choice for installation.

  • Commercial buildings

    While the type of fire sprinkler system installed in a commercial building can vary, national laws require that they be placed in any commercial building 5,000 square feet or larger. Furthermore, buildings 55 feet high or taller must also have automatic sprinkler systems installed throughout the building. All water supply control valves must be accessible, and if valves are in stairways, they must be protected yet easily accessible.

  • Governmental

    Governmental facilities are often high-security areas that can be challenging to work around. Upgrades are often tackled during off hours and planned well in advance. At Valley Fire Protection, our installation division has worked closely with administrators to ensure projects meet all the complex needs of these facilities.

  • Educational

    High schools to colleges, day cares to elementary schools, Valley Fire Protection has worked with many educational institutions, outfitting their structures with the best systems to keep students and teachers safe.

  • Apartments

    According to the NFPA, between 2010 and 2015 there were more than 100,000 apartment fires in the United States. As of 2000, sprinklers were required in apartment buildings more than two stories high and with more than 16 dwelling units. The NFPA has guidelines requiring the installation of a fire sprinkler system in apartment buildings that are 60 feet high or taller. The wet pipe system is almost always the system of choice for apartment buildings.

  • Residential

    In Illinois, many local jurisdictions have adopted building codes requiring fire sprinklers in new homes. Regardless of whether or not they are required, it’s a good idea to have a system installed as the sprinklers respond much faster than a fire department can. And because the fire is quickly controlled, they deliver far less water damage than a fire department would.

  • Churches

    Large churches, small temples and massive cathedrals – Valley Fire Protection works with places of worship of all sizes. If your church has a high level of design aesthetic, we can install concealed sprinkler head systems. We also have specialized suppression systems for the cooking areas common in many churches, which deal specifically with cooking-related fires.

  • Healthcare

    Life safety and property protection are the top focuses of healthcare facilities. Early detection is key, as is the right kind of fire sprinkler system. Valley Fire Protection professionals have designed and installed many systems for the healthcare industry.

  • Other property

    Regardless of what type of building you have, remember to call Valley Fire Protection to discuss an installation. We have vast experience installing all types of fire sprinkler systems in every imaginable type of commercial structure.

Summary

Fire sprinkler installers in Greater Chicago and Northern Indiana

Taking on a fire sprinkler installation project is an important task that every commercial property owner should consider. To make sure you’re getting what your structure requires, talk to the engineers who design and build these systems at Valley Fire Protection.

We are the go-to contractors for the Greater Chicago and northern Indiana area. Contact us at (630) 761-3168 if you’re in Illinois or (219) 472-0083 for fire sprinkler installation services in Northern Indiana.