Ask your San Mateo County fire protection contractor to walk through the job with you and show you what was done.

This will allow you to see the completed work and ensure that everything you hired the fire protection company for has been done to your standards and the contract you both signed. It also gives you a chance to ask questions about the system, components, how it works, required maintenance, and other questions you may have.

A complete invoice from your fire protection company should include the following:

• The fire protection company contractor's name, physical address and state license number.
• A complete list of all work and services performed.
• An itemized list of all materials used during the installation process.
• The total cost for the fire protection services, including the itemized amount charged for labor and installation.
• A written explanation of any warranties or guarantees provided by the product manufacturers and the fire protection contractors.

Protect yourself by asking that all warranties and guarantees offered by the fire protection system manufacturers and installers be provided to you in writing.

This will ensure that you completely understand the warranty terms and that you and your San Mateo County fire protection service are on the same page in terms of warranties offered, items covered and the process of making warranty claims.

The following items should be included in any written guarantee document:

• The San Mateo County fire protection contractor's name, physical address and state license number.
• A description of what exactly the warranty covers. This should include whether the fire protection company will repair or replace any faulty materials or workmanship.
• Any exclusions to the warranty coverage or guarantees must be explicitly stated.
• Your responsibility in the case of a problem with your fire sprinkler system, fire extinguishers, fire alarm or fire monitoring system, and what you need to do in order to redeem the warranty.
• How long the warranty is valid, and whether it expires on a specific day or is prorated.
• If the warranty coverage is transferable to the new owner if you sell your home or commercial building in which the fire protection system was installed.
• Any actions on your part that may invalidate the warranty on your fire protection system. This may include having it serviced by an unqualified company, failing to provide regular maintenance, or willful damage or abuse of the system or components.

Talk with the San Mateo County fire protection services in East Palo Alto, Foster City, Pacifica, San Bruno or near you to determine exactly which options are available to you. To give you an idea of what you can expect, the most common services requested of fire sprinkler companies and fire alarm services include the following.

Fire Alarm Maintenance Services in San Mateo County
All fire alarm systems require regular maintenance to ensure they are in good working order. To protect your warranty and the integrity of your fire alarm system, you should only have a qualified and authorized fire alarm maintenance company service your system.

Automatic Fire Sprinklers
Automatic fire sprinklers are those that automatically turn on in the event of smoke or flame. Automatic fire sprinklers are usually built to only go off when fire is present, which almost eliminates the chance of an accidental discharge. Automatic fire sprinklers are popular with residential home owners, apartment building owners, commercial buildings and industrial settings.

Fire Alarms Installation and Inspection Services
Fire alarm installation and fire alarm system inspections are very common services offered by fire protection companies in San Mateo County and the Greater Bay Area. Most local codes require that fire alarm installation services must be performed by a licensed and certified company. Likewise, fire alarm system inspections should only be performed by qualified professionals who can spot problems, weaknesses and system failures.

Fire Sprinkler Systems
Fire sprinkler systems for homes, commercial buildings, government buildings and industrial facilities vary depending on the type of construction and the way the buildings are used. Fire sprinkler systems include wet fire sprinkler systems, dry fire sprinkler systems, deluge fire sprinklers and pre-action fire sprinkler systems. Each is suited to a different type of building, climate, and installation technique. Talk with your San Mateo County fire protection company about which type of fire sprinkler installation is best for your building's needs.

Fire Sprinkler Design and Installation in San Mateo County
For the best results and safest installations, consider hiring a licensed and certified fire protection contractor in San Mateo County to design your fire sprinkler installation. This design will take into account the building you're installing the system in, how the building is used and what it is built out of. It will ensure that the fire sprinklers are appropriately placed for the fastest response and most thorough fire suppression in case of a fire.

Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems
Residential fire sprinklers systems are those that are specially built and calibrated for use in residential settings, including single-family homes, duplexes, condominiums, apartment buildings and mixed use buildings with live-in tenants.

Commercial Fire Protection Systems
Fire protection systems for commercial buildings in Daly City, San Mateo, Redwood City, South San Francisco, San Bruno and beyond may include smoke alarms, ceiling-mounted sprinklers, fire alarm monitoring systems for immediate reporting of smoke and flame. These systems are custom built to make commercial buildings including schools, stores, shopping centers, office buildings, and others safer for employees and customers.

Fire Extinguisher Recharging
Fire extinguishers need refilling (also known as “recharging”) after they've sat unused for long periods of time or after being used. Fire extinguisher recharging services are usually much less expensive than replacing old fire extinguishers, and they are more eco-friendly.

Fire Protection Products and Supplies
From new fire extinguishers and smoke alarms to complete fire sprinkler systems, San Mateo County fire protection product suppliers can provide you with needed parts and entire systems to repair or replace current components.

Fire Alarm Monitoring
Fire alarm systems can be monitored by external parties that are notified in the event of an alarm trigger. These companies can in turn alert tenants, building owners or caretakers, and local authorities for fast response times. Fire alarm monitoring services are a wise investment for many, since they can alert local fire stations for fast response time in the event of a fire even if no one is home or calls in the emergency. This can mean faster response and, potentially, less damage to homes or commercial buildings.

Popular Brands of Fire Protection Equipment and Systems
Fire sprinkler system contractors in Daly City, Redwood City, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Pacifica District, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Foster City and Burlingame and the rest of San Mateo County can provide fire protection systems built by some of the best names in the business, including the following.

• Macron Foam Fire Protection
• NDC Fire Prevention
• Niedner
• Wildfire Fire Suppression Systems
• SKUM Foam Fire Extinguishers
• 3M Fire Protection
• Amerex Fire Extinguishers
• Notifier Fire Alarms
• Viking Fire Protection
• Ansul Fire Systems
• Tyco Fire Sprinklers
• Kidde Fire Protection
• Central Fire Protection
• Halon
• Simplex Grinnell
• ABC Fire Extinguishers
• Hygood Fire Suppression

The following terms and definitions are just some that are used by fire protection professionals in the Bay Area and across the country. They will help you better communicate with your fire system installation contractor and your fire monitoring system service.

As a consumer, you deserve to completely understand the terms of your agreement and your fire protection system. Be sure to ask your fire protection company personnel for an explanation or definitions of terms, ideas or equipment you don't understand.

active fire protection
Fire sprinkler systems, fire alarms and other manual or automatic systems that detect and fight fires to protect properties and lives.

Also known as: AFP

arson
The act of purposely and maliciously setting fire to property.

Also known as: malicious fire-setting, home arson, business arson, felony arson

carbon monoxide
A toxic gas that is odorless and colorless, and that is created when substances are not completely burned.

Also known as: CO2

civil fire protection services
Civil fire protection is for civil buildings and public buildings including government buildings, schools, and other public buildings. These services may include smoke detectors, fire detectors, fire extinguisher refilling and certification, fire sprinklers, fire monitoring, fire emergency response and other services to reduce the risk of fire danger or eliminate the spread of fire should it break out.

Also known as: civil building fire protection, government building fire sprinklers, school fire protection services

combustible
A solid, liquid or gas that can burn if ignited.

Also known as: combustible liquid, combustible materials, fire-prone materials

commercial fire protection services
Commercial fire protection services are those for commercial buildings including businesses, business parks, office buildings, public buildings, stores, shopping centers and other commercial buildings. Fire protection services for commercial buildings may include fire detectors, fire extinguisher, fire sprinklers, fire monitoring, and other services to reduce the risk of fire danger or eliminate the spread of fire.

Also known as: fire protection for office buildings, business fire protection, fire sprinklers for stores, commercial fire extinguishers, business fire prevention services

conduction
Conduction is the transfer of heat within and item or object or between items and objects by direct contact.

Also known as: heat conduction, fire conduction

convection
Convection is the transfer of heat by circulation in a liquid or gas.

Also known as: heat convection

egress
An exit or opening in a building in which individuals can exit.

Also known as: exit, fire escape

fire code
A legal set of rules or regulations that are in place to prevent fires in homes and buildings and save lives and property in the event of a fire.

Also known as: fire protection code, local fire codes, city fire codes

first responder
The first person or persons to arrive at the scene of a fire or other emergency that is trained to provide initial assistance, such as medical or fire protection personnel.

Also known as: emergency responders, fire responders, firefighters

flameover
The fast spread of flames and fire over surfaces in a home, building or outside.

Also known as: flame rollover

flashover
When all surfaces and objects in a home, building or outside are heated to their flash point and the surfaces all catch fire at once.

Also known as: flashpoint ignition

flash point
The temperature at which solid surfaces, liquids and gasses ignite and catch fire.

Also known as: flashpoint, flash-point, ignition point

fire alarms
Fire alarms are single alarm boxes or integrated systems that sense flames or smoke and set of an audible alarm, warning occupants to exit the premises. Codes in most cities require fire alarms or smoke alarms in every residence and business where people spend time.

Also known as: fire alarm systems, smoke alarms

fire extinguishers
A canister of fire retardant and flame retardant that can be sprayed directly onto a fire or flame to put out or stop a fire before it spreads. Local codes usually require all residential and commercial buildings to have fire extinguishers present and in easy-to-reach places in the event of a fire.

Also known as: hand-held fire extinguishers

fire protection
The science of avoiding and mitigating the damage from fires in homes, buildings and outdoor areas.

Also known as: fire protection services

fire protection engineering
Building engineering that takes fire protection and planning into account to make buildings safer for residents and occupants. 

Also known as: engineering for fire protection

head of the fire
The outside edge of a fire. The head of the fire is the main part of the fire that spreads the fastest.

Also known as: the leading edge of the fire

ignition point
The lowest temperature at which a substance or surface will burn.

Also known as: flashpoint, flash point, fire point, ignition temperature

ignition temperature
The lowest temperature at which a substance, surface or gas will ignite and continue to burn.

Also known as: ignition point

incendiary device
A device used to intentionally set a fire. Incendiary devices may include matches, triggers, lighters or other devices.

Also known as: incendiary fire

industrial fire protection services
Industrial fire protection services include smoke and fire detectors, fire extinguisher services, fire sprinkler systems, fire monitoring, and other services to reduce the risk of fire danger or eliminate the spread of fires in industrial buildings including factories, manufacturing facilities, and other industrial plant buildings.

Also known as: industrial plant fire protection

life safety code
A code set by the National Fire Protection Association that describes structures, equipment and actions that will help save and protect life in the event of a fire. This code includes directions for exit locations and sizes, fire drills, safety information and other information to help protect life.

Also known as: life preservation code, code for safety, emergency safety code

life safety rope
A rope used to support and move people during emergency operations, including firefighting, rescue or other emergency situations.

Also known as: safety rope, emergency rope, rescue rope

monitored fire alarm system
Monitored fire alarm systems are fire alarms that are connected to an external facility that monitors the fire alarms for activation. These fire alarm monitoring services will often contact the fire department and emergency response authorities if your fire alarm is triggered.

Also known as: fire alarm monitoring services, monitored smoke alarms

National Fire Incident Reporting System
A computerized system in which fire departments enter, catalog and track fire incidents.

Also known as: NFIRS, NFIR System

oxidation
A chemical reaction in which an element combines with oxygen. Fire is a form of oxidation, as an element combines with oxygen to create and maintain heat and flames.

Also known as: oxidized surfaces, oxidation danger

passive fire protection
Passive fire protection is using special building materials such as walls and floors that form fire compartments to help stop the spread of fires, high temperatures and fire gasses within a small area to aid in the extinguishing of fires.

Also known as: PFP

residential fire protection services
Residential fire protection services are those for residential buildings including individual homes, apartment buildings, condos and other buildings where people live. This may include smoke detectors, fire detectors, fire extinguisher refilling and certification, fire sprinklers, fire monitoring, and other services to reduce the risk of fire danger or eliminate the spread of fire should it break out.

Also known as: home fire protection services, fire protection services for apartments

response time
The amount of time it takes an emergency alert system, firefighters or rescue personnel to respond to a fire or fire alarm.

Also known as: reaction time

sprinkler systems
Systems of water pipes and sprinkler heads, usually mounted in walls and ceilings, that activate when heat or flame is detected and put out flames or fires before they spread.

Also known as: fire protection sprinkler systems

thermal imaging device
A device that can detect the difference in temperature between objects and surfaces. Thermal imaging devices often use infrared technology to create an image of hot spots.

Also known as: thermal imaging software, thermal imaging technology, heat seeking devices, heat seeking technology, infrared imaging

The following questions are those often asked by homeowners and business owners trying to choose a fire protection system and the company that will do the best job installing it.

While the answers you receive from fire sprinkler system installers may vary depending on the nature of your job, the companies you talk with and the specific system you're seeking, the answers below will help you discern your options and make smart choices.

Q: Why choose Diamond Certified fire protection company?
A: Diamond Certified helps you choose a local fire protection company with confidence by offering a list of top-rated local companies who have passed the country’s most in-depth rating process. Only fire protection services rated Highest in Quality earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can’t pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with ongoing research and ratings. And your purchase of a new sprinkler system, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, exit lights or fire protection monitoring is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. So you’ll feel confident choosing a Diamond Certified fire protection company.

Q: How effective are fire sprinklers?
A: Fire sprinklers for commercial and residential buildings have proven to be very effective in minimizing death and destruction due to fire. Studies show that sprinklers can reduce the chance of dying and the cost of property loss to a fire by one-half to two-thirds in any building where they are installed and working properly.

Q: What are the chances that my fire sprinklers will go off accidentally?
A: Quality fire sprinklers that are correctly installed and maintained have a very low possibility of accidentally discharging. In fact, studies show that the odds of sprinklers going off accidentally due to manufacturer defect are one in 16 million. Likewise, while sprinkler piping can leak or break due to accidental damage or intentional tampering, it is no more likely to leak than similar-quality plumbing piping.

Q: Will a sprinkler system cause more damage than a fire?
A: No. Sprinklers are designed to stop and control fires in the early stages, so less water is used. Most systems are designed to activate only a few needed sprinklers in the direct area of the fire, so other areas of the home or business will not be impacted by the sprinklers, nor will they sustain water damage from the sprinkler system. Fire hoses used by fire departments use more than eight times the water flow of sprinkler systems, so homes and businesses with sprinkler systems often sustain less damage and cost less to repair than those that rely on the fire department to stop fires before they spread.

Q: Are sprinkler systems expensive to install?
A: The exact cost of sprinkler systems or fire protection systems depends on the system you choose, the installation requirements and the type of building and area in which they're being installed. For example, systems installed in warmer climates, in buildings with good water pressure, and areas with a dependable water supply will be less expensive than those in cold climates with low pressure and unreliable water supplies. Most fire sprinkler systems in new construction will cost $1 to $2 per square foot. Building retrofits to install fire sprinklers in existing buildings can be more expensive. Call a local fire protection contractor near you for a detailed estimate for your buildings and particular situation. When figuring out the cost of a new sprinkler system, be sure to factor in savings you may incur from your insurance company, as many offer discounts for customers who have fire protection systems in place.

Q: Are fire sprinklers required in all high rise buildings, hotels and public buildings?
A: That depends on the area in which they are located. Some cities and states require sprinkler systems in certain buildings, while others exempt existing buildings from having to be fitted with sprinkler systems even though new buildings may be required to have fire prevention systems installed. Talk to your fire protection service about the code requirements for your area.

Q: I'm handy with tools. Can I install a fire sprinkler system in my own home or business?
A: Probably not. Fire sprinklers require very specific installation procedures and must comply with national and local codes and ordinances. In addition, fire prevention systems can have very complicated designs and layouts required to ensure they run correctly in the event of an emergency. Local laws and codes may even prevent anyone who isn't a licensed fire protection contractor from installing fire sprinkler systems.

Q: How do fire sprinkler systems work?
A: Most fire sprinklers include sprinkler heads that are outfitted with liquid-filled bulbs.  These bulbs prevent water from leaving the sprinkler unless the liquid inside is released by the heat of a fire. The bulbs come in a variety of colors, from orange to black, with each color acting as a key to the specific temperature (usually between 135 and 440 degrees) required to break the bulb and activate the sprinkler. This ensures that only the sprinklers in the direct area of a fire will be activated, so there is no accidental activation.

Q: Do I need to maintain my fire sprinkler system?
A: It is wise to keep your fire sprinkler system in good working order. This maximizes your investment and helps protect your property from fire. It is recommended that you have your fire protection system inspected by a professional fire protection contractor once a year or any time you suspect a problem with sprinklers, water lines, the monitoring system, or the entire sprinkler system. Most fire protection systems have test valves; you should test your system every month. You should also have your system checked for possible upgrades to keep it in the best working order. Never paint your fire sprinklers, hang items from the pipes, cover the sprinklers or intentionally tamper with or damage the system. Call your fire protection service immediately if you are concerned about damage or the possibility of tampering.

Q: Should I have fire extinguishers in my building?
A: Every home and work place should have working fire extinguishers in easy-to-access places. Most homes should have one on every level of the home and one in the garage. The number of fire extinguishers for multi-unit residential buildings such as apartments, and commercial buildings varies and is subject to code requirements. The general rule of thumb is to have no more than 75 feet between fire extinguishers.

Q: Should I consider installing a fire alarm system even if I have a fire sprinkler system?
A: Yes, you should. Fire sprinklers are very effective, but they only work once a fire has started and reached a certain temperature. Fire alarm systems can detect fires before there are flames, and they will alert building occupants to evacuate. Some fire alarm systems will automatically contact the fire department, which can get the authorities to your building faster and help save your home or office from serious damage.

Q: What type of fire alarms do I have to choose among?
A: The most popular types of fire alarms are ionization fire alarms and photoelectric fire alarms. Ionization alarms detect flames and fast-moving fires, including those in trash cans, furniture, curtains, carpeting and other soft materials that can spread quickly. Photoelectric fire alarms detect smoky, smoldering fires including electrical fires. The best fire alarms can detect both types of fires for complete fire protection.

Q: What are the advantages of fire alarm monitoring?
A: Fire alarm monitoring watches your building for the threat of fire constantly. In the event that a fire alarm is active, the fire alarm monitoring company will alert the fire department. This is good for people who aren't in their homes or offices 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as it can offer a greater level of protection.

Q: What types of automatic fire sprinkler systems are available?
A: Automatic fire sprinklers come in four basic types: wet, dry, pre-action and deluge fire sprinklers.

• Wet fire sprinklers are constantly charged with pressurized water that automatically activated by a fire. These are usually installed in locations where the air temperature is above freezing do eliminate the chances of frozen and burst water pipes.
• Dry sprinkler systems are used in areas that may frost or freeze. This system is always charged with compressed air. When a fire is detected, the valves open and water flows into the system and onto the fire.
• Pre-action fire sprinklers are electrical-mechanical systems that only fill the sprinkler pipes with water upon electrical detection of a fire to avoid accidental water discharge and water damage. These systems are usually installed in data processing facilities, high-tech areas, or warehouses.
• Deluge fire sprinklers are open systems that do not have pressurized pipes. In the event of a fire, water rushes through the system and out all of the sprinkler heads. Systems like these are usually installed in high-risk fire areas such as power plants, aircraft storage hangars, chemical plants, processing facilities and other similar buildings.