Vulcan Fire Protection

After another company tried to rip me off, I called Vulcan to get a 2^nd opinion. He did all the work that really needed to be done and certified the sprinkler system for about 15% of what the other rip off company as proposing! I would recommend Vulcan and use them again when my next 5 year sprinkler certification is due!

I am one of the homeowners of a 20-​year old small condominium homeowners association comprised of 8-​townhomes in San Francisco.
Back in 2002, we found out that our fire sprinkler system had faulty sprinkler heads that had to be recalled due to problems not working for other properties. So we interviewed 4 – 5 fire protection companies in San Francisco. After speaking with the owner of Vulcan Fire Protection, Steve Robertson, we did not hesitate to sign a contract with him. His bid estimate was reasonable and he seemed very knowledgeable, easy going, and friendly. Besides fire protection being his specialty with his brother, he’s also a computer whiz.
Steve first looked at and assessed all units/​homes and the sprinkler head locations. He got us compatible/​comparable replacement heads with thermal sensors and replaced each and every one. Steve even performed the required 5-​year inspection and test of our sprinkler system and certified the pass for completion. It required a backflush of fire sprinkler lines and test of alarms/​bells. The inspection part, based on his assessment of each home, recommended for some homeowners to leave a clearance in the closets as to not block sprinkler heads.
Steve also did some outside work, as far as reconfiguring some of the lines from the outside. Even giving some dedicated lines-​to-​valves and alarms. He even replaced one of the broken alarm bell covers. Steve informed us that we were required to do quarterly checks and instructed us on how to do this (turning on outside valves to drain the lines and check if the alarms go off). And to document the checks, as proof. So we do this independently (self-​checks) without having to call for professionals every three months. This has saved us money. Steve even left us extra replacement sprinkler heads, keys for each homeowner’s valve lock in case of a fire, and a a lockbox with keys for the fire department.
Since then, we did call Steve for our 5-​year inspection and fire sprinkler test requiring certification. The cost was still reasonable. And one homeowner who had a remodel portion, damaged a sprinkler line and called Steve who gladly came out to make the necessary repairs.
Our homeowner association is small compared to the large apartment buildings, condo complexes, and lofts that he mentioned he did the sprinkler head replacements, as well as the 5-​year inspections and test certifications.
I give Steve Robertson (Vulcan Fire Protection) a high 5-​star rating! Hopefully he’s still in this business and doesn’t lean toward computer support when we are ready for our next 5-​year fire protection/​sprinkler inspection and test certification. I highly recommend Vulcan Fire Protection to all homeowner associations, apartment buildings, and property managers.