NFSA staff met with Adam Levine, Vice President of Capitol Fire Sprinkler Co. in Queens, New York. NFSA and Adam spoke about the company’s history, services, and longstanding relationship with the NFSA.

Three Generations and a Motorcycle

History: Shortly after the end of World War II, Sidney Levine (Adam’s grandfather and the founder of Capitol Fire Sprinkler) returned from the front lines overseas to work as a mechanic at a fire sprinkler company in New York City. After learning each aspect of the trade, he decided to forge his own path, and started Capitol Fire Sprinkler in 1952. The company had a modest beginning, working out of a small warehouse in Brooklyn. Sidney would estimate, sell, design, and install (with his own hands) all his own fire sprinkler projects. He worked with his wife Bertha, who acted as bookkeeper and office manager. With his dedication to excellence, the company grew over time. Eventually, he was doing dozens of projects each year (mostly warehouses). Besides being remembered for his work ethic, Sidney was known for riding his motorcycle to job sites, and famously would bring it up with him in the freight elevator!

In 1978, Sidney’s son Richard (Adam’s father) joined the Company. Richard was a Fire Project Engineer from the University of Maryland and used his technical knowledge and business acumen to take Capitol Fire Sprinkler to the next level. Richard’s wife Elaine also briefly worked at the Company. As the Company expanded, and the laws regulating fire sprinkler requirements in New York City became more rigorous, Capitol Fire Sprinkler started installing systems in clubs, bars, office spaces, storage facilities, storefronts, and eventually large residential buildings. In 1996, the Company moved from Brooklyn to Queens.

In 2009, Adam and his sister Jamie joined the Company. Both Adam and Jamie graduated from the University of Maryland, and like Richard, Adam also has a Fire Protection Engineering degree. Torie (Adam’s sister) also worked with the Company before following her calling to pursue a law career. Today, Capitol Fire Sprinkler has a first-rate group of in-house Engineers, Project Managers, Salespeople, Estimators, Purchasers, and Building Department Expediters. Capitol’s customer rolodex is thick, having done thousands of installation projects, including City Point Mall in Brooklyn, The Vandewater in Manhattan, and the Moxy Hotel in Manhattan.

Services: Capitol Fire Sprinkler is a full service and licensed fire sprinkler company that provides installation, inspections, testing, maintenance, violation, and repair services in the New York City / Long Island / Westchester / New Jersey areas.

Capitol Fire Protection and NFSA

Capitol Fire Sprinkler has been a long-standing NFSA member (since at least 1973). Adam really enjoys the NFSA’s Expert of the Day service (luckily for him, it’s not chargeable per question). Adam is a Principal on the Technical Committee for NFPA-14 and loves picking the brain of the NFSA’s Terin Hopkins.

Capitol Fire Sprinkler has been happy to give back to the industry by participating in local trade associations and code committees. Additionally, Capitol Fire Sprinkler is involved in multiple charity organizations, and has contributed to the Legacy Campaign (on behalf of Ken Isman) at the University of Maryland. For more information on Capitol Fire Sprinkler, visit their website at https://capitolfire.com/.