Expert Fire Protection Services
Every commercial building has unique life safety requirements. Our team works closely with property owners, general contractors, and engineers to implement systems that meet NFPA code requirements while fitting seamlessly into your facility's operations. We provide full access to our permit coordination team throughout the project.
Services We Provide
- New Construction: Complete system design and installation for ground-up commercial projects in Dallas-Fort Worth
- Tenant Improvements: System modifications and expansions for buildouts and renovations
- Retrofit Services: Upgrading aging systems with addressable technology and modern components
- Full Replacement: Complete system upgrades when existing equipment reaches end-of-life
Why Choose Our Team
Choosing the right contractor is critical for your building's safety and code compliance. North Texas Fire Systems brings decades of combined experience to every commercial project in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
What Sets Us Apart
- Licensed Contractors: Our technicians hold Texas State Fire Alarm licenses and maintain all required certifications
- Local Expertise: We understand DFW fire marshal requirements across Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, and Collin counties
- Manufacturer Certified: Factory-trained on Notifier, Edwards, Silent Knight, Fire-Lite, and other major brands
- Full Service: From initial design through ongoing maintenance, we handle every aspect of your system
- Responsive Support: 24/7 emergency service available for system troubles and repairs
Our team has completed projects ranging from small retail spaces to large industrial facilities. We work with property managers, general contractors, and building owners to deliver systems that meet both code requirements and operational needs.
Properties We Serve
Our fire protection experience spans across diverse commercial building types in the DFW area:
- Office buildings and corporate campuses
- Retail centers and shopping malls
- Industrial warehouses and manufacturing facilities
- Healthcare clinics and medical offices
- Schools, churches, and institutional buildings
- Multi-family housing and apartment complexes
- Restaurants and hospitality venues
Our Process
We follow a structured approach to ensure every project meets your fire protection needs and satisfies code requirements:
- Consultation: We assess your building's layout, occupancy, and area-specific requirements
- System Planning: Our team creates a code-compliant system layout with engineered drawings
- Permit Coordination: We work with local authorities to obtain necessary permit approvals and schedule inspection
- System Setup: Licensed technicians install all components according to specifications
- Testing & Commissioning: Complete system testing ensures proper operation before handoff
- Ongoing Maintenance: We provide inspection and maintenance services to keep your system ready
Addressable Systems
Addressable technology provides the highest level of device identification and system intelligence for commercial buildings. Each device has a unique digital address, allowing the control panel to pinpoint the exact location of any alarm or trouble condition.
Benefits of Addressable Systems
- Precise Device Identification: The control panel displays the exact device location, floor, and room during an alarm event
- Faster Troubleshooting: Maintenance technicians can quickly locate devices that need attention without searching entire zones
- Advanced Diagnostics: Systems provide real-time sensitivity readings and drift compensation data for proactive maintenance
- Flexible Programming: Individual devices can be programmed with custom labels, zones, and response sequences
- Reduced Wiring: Multiple devices can share a single circuit, reducing installation costs in larger buildings
Addressable systems are recommended for office buildings, healthcare facilities, educational campuses, high-rise buildings, and any facility where rapid emergency response is critical. Our technicians are factory-trained on Notifier, Edwards, and other leading addressable platforms.
Conventional Systems
Conventional systems provide reliable zone-based detection for commercial buildings with straightforward layouts. These systems organize devices into zones, with the control panel indicating the general area of an alarm rather than the specific device.
Conventional System Applications
- Small Office Buildings: Single-story offices and retail spaces under 10,000 square feet
- Warehouses: Open floor plans where zone identification is sufficient for locating alarms
- Small Retail Stores: Strip mall spaces and standalone retail locations
- Light Industrial: Manufacturing facilities with simple detection needs
Cost Benefits of Conventional Systems
Conventional systems typically cost less than addressable alternatives for smaller buildings. The simpler technology means lower equipment costs and straightforward programming. For buildings under 5,000 square feet with open floor plans, these systems provide code-compliant protection at an accessible price point. We help property owners evaluate whether conventional or addressable technology best fits their building's size, layout, and budget.
New Construction Projects
Ground-up commercial construction requires careful coordination between trades to ensure your system integrates properly with the building's infrastructure. Our new construction services include system design from initial plans, conduit and wire rough-in coordination with electrical contractors, device placement according to NFPA 72 spacing requirements, and integration with HVAC systems for duct detector placement.
We work directly with architects, engineers, and general contractors throughout the construction phase. Our team attends coordination meetings, provides required submittals, and schedules installations to align with your construction timeline. Every new construction project includes complete acceptance testing and documentation for certificate of occupancy.
Tenant Buildout Requirements
Tenant improvements often trigger system modifications. When you add walls, change room configurations, or modify the building's use, existing coverage may no longer meet code requirements. Common buildout needs include adding smoke detectors for new enclosed spaces, relocating notification appliances to meet visibility requirements, extending circuits to serve additional areas, and updating panel programming.
We coordinate buildout work with your general contractor to minimize disruption to existing building operations. Our team handles permit applications, works within your construction schedule, and ensures the modified system passes final inspection before occupancy.
Retrofit Services
A retrofit upgrades your existing system to meet current code requirements and improve functionality without complete replacement. This approach is often the most cost-effective option for buildings with aging but functional infrastructure.
When to Consider a Retrofit
- Code Compliance Updates: Building code changes may require additional devices or upgraded notification appliances
- Occupancy Changes: Converting building use (warehouse to office, retail to restaurant) triggers new detection requirements
- Technology Upgrades: Adding addressable devices to a conventional system for improved monitoring
- Modernization: Upgrading notification appliances to meet ADA requirements or adding voice evacuation
- Integration Needs: Connecting your system to building automation, access control, or elevator systems
Retrofit Options
Our retrofit services include panel upgrades to newer technology while retaining existing wiring, conversion from conventional to addressable devices on compatible panels, notification appliance upgrades to current candela and ADA requirements, and addition of duct detectors, heat detectors, or specialty detection where needed. We evaluate your existing system to determine which options provide the best value for your facility.
Complete System Replacement
Full replacement is necessary when existing systems reach end-of-life or when retrofit cannot meet your building's requirements. A complete replacement provides the opportunity to implement modern technology and ensure reliable protection for years to come.
When to Replace Your System
- Obsolete Equipment: Manufacturer no longer supports the panel or replacement parts are unavailable
- Frequent False Alarms: Aging detectors cause nuisance alarms that disrupt operations and trigger fire department responses
- System Age: Systems over 15-20 years old may not meet current reliability or code standards
- Major Building Renovation: Extensive remodeling makes replacement more practical than extensive modifications
- Capacity Limitations: Existing panel cannot accommodate additional devices for building expansion
Replacement Process
Our replacement process includes comprehensive system design, coordination with your operations to minimize disruption, phased work when needed for occupied buildings, complete testing and acceptance, and training for your staff on the new system. We handle all permit requirements and coordinate final inspection with the fire marshal.
Mass Notification System Installation
Mass notification systems provide building-wide communication capabilities that go beyond standard fire alarms. These systems allow facility managers to broadcast custom voice messages, tone alerts, and emergency instructions throughout the building. Mass notification is increasingly required for schools, healthcare facilities, large commercial buildings, and government installations.
Our mass notification system installation integrates with your fire alarm infrastructure to provide unified emergency communication. Systems can be configured for different alert scenarios including fire evacuation, severe weather sheltering, lockdown procedures, and general announcements. We program custom message sequences and provide training for your staff on system operation.
Voice Evacuation System Installation
Voice evacuation systems replace traditional horn/strobe notification with pre-recorded or live voice messages. Research shows that occupants respond more quickly and appropriately to clear voice instructions than to alarm tones alone. Voice evacuation is required by code in certain occupancy types including high-rise buildings, healthcare facilities, and large assembly spaces.
Voice evacuation system installation requires careful acoustic design to ensure message intelligibility throughout the building. Our team performs acoustic modeling, speaker placement calculations, and post-installation intelligibility testing to verify the system meets performance standards. We also provide voice evacuation programming services to configure message sequences for your specific emergency procedures.
Serving commercial properties throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, we bring expertise in both system types to ensure your installation meets local code requirements and provides reliable protection.