Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Open 24/7
always available
Nationwide Fire Protection Services
Academy Fire Life & Safety has been a leader in fire and life safety services for over 80 years, specializing in comprehensive protection solutions for national and multi-site clients. Our nationwide network of self-perform districts and trusted vendor partners ensures consistent, high-quality service across diverse industries including healthcare, hospitality, retail, and industrial sectors. With 35+ years of dedicated experience in managing national accounts, we combine unmatched industry knowledge with personalized service and accountability. Our four service centers in New York, California, Arizona, and Texas support 65,000+ customer locations, backed by 250+ years of combined executive team expertise. We are manufacturer-certified in leading brands and maintain NICET-certified technicians to ensure compliance with the latest NFPA standards.Our commitment to innovation is reflected in our integrated technology solutions, including mobile reporting and centralized monitoring systems. Headquartered in Lynbrook, NY, we operate as part of AI Fire, a company backed by Blackstone Private Equity, and partner with our sister company Impact Fire for specialized services. Our customer-centric approach includes detailed reporting through a secure portal, 24/7 emergency response, and tailored maintenance programs. We prioritize client satisfaction through dedicated account management and adherence to strict service level agreements. With a legacy of excellence since 1933, we remain focused on delivering reliable, code-compliant fire protection solutions nationwide.
Services
Fire Alarms
Fire Sprinklers
Fire Extinguishers
Gas Station Suppression
Kitchen Suppression
Backflow Devices
Access Control Systems
Central Station Monitoring
Emergency Lighting
Special Hazards
Details
- Year established: 1933
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of experience in national fire protection services.
- Our nationwide network services 65,000+ customer locations with consistent quality.
- We maintain NICET-certified technicians and manufacturer-certified specialists.
- Our 24/7 emergency response ensures immediate technical support when needed.
- We provide detailed reporting through a secure customer portal with KPI tracking.
Associations and certifications
- NICET
Services
Fire Alarms
Our fire alarm installation and maintenance services ensure continuous protection for commercial properties. We handle system design, programming, and annual inspections while offering non-proprietary equipment options for greater flexibility. Our NFPA-certified technicians perform required sensitivity testing on smoke detectors every two years and maintain compliance with local AHJ requirements. We provide both standard fire alarm inspections and large-scale retrofit projects with dedicated project managers fluent in life safety codes. Our sister company Impact Fire offers self-perform capabilities where permitted, ensuring consistent service quality across all locations.
Fire Sprinklers
Academy Fire provides comprehensive sprinkler system maintenance and inspection services for wet, dry, pre-action, and deluge systems. Our technicians follow NFPA 25 guidelines for monthly, quarterly, and five-year testing intervals, including pressure gauge checks, alarm device testing, and internal pipe inspections. We offer advanced deficiency tracking, code consultation, and specialized testing for standpipe systems. Our programs include small business support and enterprise-level PM scheduling with insurance coverage exceeding $10 million. We maintain equipment from all major manufacturers while ensuring proper integration with fire pumps and backflow preventers.
Fire Extinguishers
Our fire extinguisher maintenance program includes annual inspections, hydrostatic testing, and recharge services for all extinguisher types including dry chemical, carbon dioxide, and clean agent models. Technicians verify proper placement, pressure levels, and functionality while maintaining compliance with monthly inspection requirements. We offer training classes for staff certification, wholesale distribution options, and volume discounts for large inventories. Our service covers all commercial extinguisher types from major brands and includes maintenance schedules ranging from annual checks to 12-year hydrostatic tests.
Gas Station Suppression
We specialize in canopy fire suppression systems for gas stations, including inspection, maintenance, and repair of Pyro-Chem Attendant II systems. Our technicians ensure proper cylinder installation, nozzle height adjustments between 7-15 feet, and system integration with fuel pump controls. We provide annual inspections and emergency servicing for release/overheat scenarios during fueling operations. Our programs include configuration options for manual activation, pump shutdown control, and custom nozzle arrangements to accommodate multiple fueling islands and varying canopy heights.
Access Control Systems
Our access control solutions integrate with fire alarm and building automation systems to provide secure entry management. We offer biometric authentication, keycard systems, and cloud-based remote management platforms with real-time monitoring capabilities. Our services include system design, installation, and ongoing maintenance with NICET-certified project managers. We provide detailed access logs, audit trails, and compliance reporting while maintaining integration with existing security infrastructure. Our solutions scale from single facility implementations to enterprise-level access management across multiple locations.
People
Michael Lloyd
Chief Executive Officer
Michael Lloyd has over 15 years of leadership experience in fire protection, previously growing Consolidated Fire Protection's national services division. He holds an MBA from UCLA and BA from UC Berkeley, with industry affiliations including NFPA and AFSA. He focuses on expanding Academy Fire's nationwide service capabilities.
Mark Taylor
Chief Financial Officer
Mark Taylor brings 25+ years of finance leadership, previously managing financial operations for Siemens business units. He holds a BBA in Finance from Georgia State University and specializes in strategic financial management for fire protection services.
Benedict Cramer
Executive Vice President
Ben Cramer has extensive operations leadership experience in facility services, previously with Metro Door and Rogers Electric. He oversees Academy Fire's operational growth and talent development with a focus on expanding service capabilities.
Tom McVerry
Vice President Restaurant Services
Tom McVerry has over 25 years in fire protection, previously holding leadership roles at Amerex and Buckeye Fire Equipment. He specializes in kitchen fire suppression systems and holds multiple industry certifications.
Kristen Cooper
Senior Vice President Risk Management
Kristen Cooper brings 25+ years of safety leadership experience from companies like Target and Supervalu. Certified Safety Professional with expertise in OSHA compliance and risk mitigation for 30+ locations.
Questions
What fire protection services does Academy Fire Life Safety offer?
We provide fire alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers, suppression systems, backflow devices, access control, and emergency lighting services for commercial clients nationwide.
Do you provide 24/7 emergency fire protection services?
Yes, our technicians are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for emergency response and support.
Which industries do you serve?
We serve healthcare, hospitality, retail, restaurant, multi-family housing, education, government, and industrial facilities nationwide.
How do you ensure service consistency across multiple locations?
Our nationwide network of self-perform districts and certified technicians guarantees uniform service quality through standardized protocols and reporting.
What fire safety certifications do your technicians hold?
Our team includes NICET-certified professionals and manufacturer-certified specialists for all major fire protection systems.
Do you offer fire protection system monitoring services?
Yes, we provide 24/7 central station monitoring for fire alarms, security systems, and emergency communications equipment.
Reviews (3)
Matt Fernandez
Jan 22, 2021
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*DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY WITH THIS COMPANY* Absolutely no professionalism late for all scheduled appointments, No senses of urgency, Had to call to reschedule my own appointment which the tech Tom was late for again I called the corporate office then Stephanie in the service dept. (which I received no kind of service) explained that the tech had checked in to my location over an hour ago strange, I have been in the office all day. Her explanation was maybe he didn't know where to go, He has been to my location 4 times for one lock. Unacceptable.
Robert Gonzalez
Oct 08, 2015
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BCI is the worst company I have ever used. Their sales person made many promises that they were not able to keep. One example of this was when I got three false alarms in the first 24 hrs I used the service. They would not reimburse me for the city fine even though their sales person promised they would in this event. There are many other things that I was over sold or miss lead on. When I told them I would like to be let out of my contract they denied the requests.
I only used the service for 24hr. I am not someone who has been using it for some time and want prematurely out of my contract. I used the service for less than a day and already paid for the equipment and first quarter of service.
I only used the service for 24hr. I am not someone who has been using it for some time and want prematurely out of my contract. I used the service for less than a day and already paid for the equipment and first quarter of service.
Russell Morgan
Dec 11, 2013
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Very disappointed we have several jobs billed to them and no pay just excuses now they say it could be 90 days or more and then its up to the owner to decide when he pays we don't have a problem doing the work but are suspending further service until payment is made. Marked the calender and in 90 days will pursue other options to collect.
