NFSA staff sat down with Charles Parkerson, owner of Capitol Fire Protection, to discuss the company’s history, notable projects, and relationship with the NFSA as a New Jersey fire sprinkler contractor. Charles shared that Capitol Fire Protection was started by his father-in-law, John H. Poland, who began his career as a design engineer for the fire sprinkler business, Central Sprinkler Company (CSC), in the 1940s. CSC was later acquired by one of the leading fire sprinkler manufacturers, Tyco.

John was due to be drafted into the ongoing war effort in Europe and the Pacific at the time but was able to delay his enlistment because he was working on some pending fire protection projects for the Department of Defense. Once the projects were complete, John packed up and shipped out to serve his country in the Pacific theater. At the conclusion of John’s war enlistment, he returned home to New Jersey and started his own business with the help of his partner at the time, called Service Engineering, which was formed in Spring Lake, New Jersey.

In 1952, John struck out on his own and started Capitol Fire Protection as we know it today in the Groveville section of Hamilton Township, NJ. Today, the New Jersey fire sprinkler contractor shop is located on the Hamilton-Trenton border.

Upon John H.’s sudden death in 1974, his son John R. Poland took over the reins of Capitol Fire Protection Co, Inc., which he successfully ran until his retirement in 2015. Charles Parkerson bought out John’s interest in the business in 2013 and is still in the driver’s seat today.

SERVICES PROVIDED AS A NEW JERSEY FIRE SPRINKLER CONTRACTOR

When asked about the services they provide, Charles proudly stated that they specialize in smaller jobs and are the oldest small business fire sprinkler provider in New Jersey with only seven employees. Since 1952, Capitol Fire Protection has specialized in fire sprinkler, fire pump and hydrant installation, inspection, testing, and maintenance on all systems, including backflow preventer inspections. They also serve as a 24/7 emergency service provider in the event of an after-hour fire sprinkler activation. The company services Central New Jersey and the Lower Bucks County, PA, area.

NOTEWORTHY PROJECT

When asked about a recent noteworthy project, Charles immediately recalled a job they did for one of the larger fuel companies in Plainfield, New Jersey. Capitol was tasked with protecting two 10,000-gallon propane tanks. Capitol Fire Protection installed a hose monitoring system that, if activated, is designed to cool the tank to prevent a BLEVE (boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion). The system is a pre-action fire sprinkler deluge system capable of discharging 300 gallons a minute per nozzle for a total of 1,200 gallons per minute and can throw water up to 121 feet!

CAPITOL FIRE PROTECTION AND NFSA

Charles takes advantage of being an NFSA member. In addition to the monthly chapter meeting and the work of the New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board, Charles’s company finds the most value in help with NFSA’s labor and legal department. Charles is proud to be a part of Capitol Fire Protection and their involvement and membership with the NFSA.

For more information, visit Capitol’s site here.