Two APi Subsidiaries Achieve First Sprinkler Contractor Accreditation

The Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) awarded three companies that successfully completed the beta test of the Residential Fire Sprinkler Contractor Accreditation. Two of the companies are part of the APi Group Inc. family: Standard Automatic Fire Enterprises (SAFE) of College Station, Texas, and U.S. Alliance Fire Protection of Lake Forest, Illinois. The accreditation program is modeled after the self-assessment accreditation of the Commission on Fire Accreditation International, which evaluates the performance of local fire departments.

SAFE was contacted about two years ago regarding a new residential accreditation project managed through CPSE. SAFE had been installing residential sprinklers for more than 20 years and felt it was qualified to participate in the program. What came next was sort of a surprise.

"The amount of information and documentation required to receive accreditation was voluminous and very thorough," said SAFE Regional Manager Steven Rians. While the process took dedication, it was an opportunity to confirm and re-evaluate all business aspects within SAFE's operations and policies. "We can with great confidence state that any company that installs residential fire sprinklers and has received an accreditation from CPSE embodies the quality and dedication to life safety that the consumer deserves!"

The accreditation is intended to assure homeowners, state and local regulators and advocates for fire sprinklers in single-family dwelling structures that installations are completed by competent, professional companies that provide adequate training for installers and ensure the quality of work.

"Home buyers, as well as developers, need to rely on quality work from their contractors, especially when it comes to the life safety features of a home," said Ruben Grijalva, principal of FireChiefs.com and former California State Fire Marshal.

Accredited companies are evaluated in several categories: governance and administration; assessment, planning and goals; services provided; physical resources; human resources; occupational health and safety/risk management; employee training; and external relationships.

The CPSE Awards Dinner took place in conjunction with the Fire-Rescue International Conference in Chicago, on August 15, 2013.

Congratulations to both APi Group companies!

*Fireengineering.com contributed to this article.