Suppression Systems, Inc. (SSI): Fire and Explosion Protection Industry Leaders
Suppression Systems, Inc. (SSI) is a premier full-service distributor and system integrator specializing in special hazard fire suppression, industrial explosion protection, and advanced fire alarm networks. Headquartered in Breinigsville, Pennsylvania, SSI delivers custom-engineered safety solutions designed to protect critical infrastructure, high-value assets, and personnel from catastrophic thermal and deflagration hazards. Operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fike Corporation, SSI combines local engineering agility with world-class manufacturing standards to secure facilities across the East Coast.
For over 40 years, SSI has built a reputation founded on technical expertise, uncompromising integrity, and dedicated customer support. Our staff of NICET-certified engineers, factory-trained technicians, and FCC GROL-licensed specialists manages the entire system lifecycle—from hazard analysis and computer modeling to installation, room integrity testing, and 24/7/365 emergency field service. We deliver turnkey compliance protection across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware.
Why Do Industrial Facilities Require Special Hazard Fire and Explosion Experts?
Standard commercial water sprinklers and basic fire alarms are incapable of safeguarding high-value, sensitive, or combustible dust processing environments. Complex industrial operations face severe financial and operational threats when generic safety systems fail to address specialized hazards.
Water-Sensitive Capital Asset Vulnerabilities
Data halls, telecommunication routing rooms, and cleanroom manufacturing bays house millions of dollars in sensitive electronics. Suppressing a localized electrical fire with water sprinkler discharge causes total hardware destruction, prolonged operational downtime, and irreversible data loss. Clean agent and gas systems extinguish fires instantly without leaving water residue behind.
Millisecond-Scale Combustible Dust Deflagrations
Industrial facilities processing wood, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, or agricultural products generate airborne organic dusts capable of triggering violent explosions inside vessels and ductwork. Pressure waves propagate in milliseconds, requiring specialized explosion detection, active chemical isolation, and pressure relief venting to prevent structural building collapses.
Severe Regulatory and Code Enforcement Liabilities
Failing to maintain strict compliance with NFPA standards, OSHA directives, or local municipal codes can result in immediate facility shutdown orders, insurance claim denials, and massive regulatory fines. Partnering with certified special hazard engineers guarantees that all safety systems pass mandatory AHJ inspections.
What Life Safety and Hazard Protection Capabilities Does SSI Deliver?
SSI provides a comprehensive array of life safety, suppression, explosion protection, and emergency communication technologies. We match precise equipment capabilities to the unique thermal and chemical risk profiles of our clients’ facilities.
| Safety Pillar | Primary Technology Platforms | Core Risk Mitigated | Best Facility Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Hazard Fire Suppression | Clean Agents (ECARO-25, ProInert2, FK-5-1-12), CO2, Specialty Water Mist, Dry Chemical. | Rapid thermal suppression without water damage or conductive residue. | Data centers, server vaults, power plants, archive vaults. |
| Industrial Explosion Protection | Active Suppression, Fast Isolation, Explosion Venting, Spark Detection, DHA Testing. | Millisecond deflagration pressure relief and flame path containment. | Dust collectors, silos, dryers, mills, cyclones, conveying lines. |
| Fire Alarm & Advanced Detection | Addressable Control Panels (Autocall, Fike), VESDA Air Sampling, Video analytics, Thermal imaging. | Very early warning detection in high-airflow or stratified zones. | High-bay warehouses, manufacturing lines, BESS sites. |
| In-Building Public Safety Radio | Bi-Directional Amplifiers (BDA), ERCES, Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), GAT Testing. | Eliminates indoor RF signal dead zones for emergency first responders. | High-rise towers, subterranean parking decks, metal plants. |
In-House Recharging and In-House Cylinder Services
SSI operates a fully equipped clean agent system cylinder recharging facility. Rather than shipping discharged suppression tanks across the country for refilling, our certified technicians recharge, hydrostatic test, and certify clean agent cylinders locally at our facility, restoring site protection in record time.
Advanced Diagnostic and Testing Capabilities
We offer specialized testing services including Room Integrity Door Fan Testing to verify clean agent retention, 24-hour central station monitoring, Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) support, and certified FCC GROL signal strength mapping for in-building public safety radio systems.
Over 40 Years of Safety Engineering: The SSI Story
Suppression Systems, Inc. began in June 1983 above a taxidermy shop in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, as an entrepreneurial venture dedicated to protecting high-value assets with clean agent suppression systems under the motto: “The professionals in Halon fire protection.”
As environmental regulations phased out Halon in the early 1990s, SSI expanded into next-generation clean agents, CO2, and specialty fire detection technologies. In 2000, SSI became a wholly owned subsidiary of Fike Corporation, leveraging Fike’s global manufacturing excellence while expanding into advanced explosion protection, dust hazard mitigation, and intelligent fire alarm networks.
In 2014, SSI relocated its corporate headquarters to Breinigsville, Pennsylvania, just west of Allentown. This strategic facility provides immediate access to major East Coast transportation corridors, allowing our field service engineering teams to deliver rapid response times across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware. Today, operating under our foundational motto—“Great Knowledge, Great Service . . . It’s That Simple!”—SSI stands as a recognized authority in special hazard fire and explosion solutions.
Parent Company Heritage: Fike Corporation was founded in 1945 by Lester Fike, Sr. Today, as a Fike subsidiary, SSI carries forward a global legacy of life safety manufacturing, explosion protection testing, and engineered innovation.
What Industry Codes and Certifications Govern SSI Systems?
Special hazard fire and explosion systems are governed by strict national safety standards. Our engineering team designs every installation to meet or exceed the rigorous criteria set by enforcing authorities and insurance underwriters.
| Code Standard | Governing Scope and SSI Compliance Credentials |
|---|---|
| NFPA 2001 & NFPA 12 | Governs Clean Agent and Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems; SSI provides factory-certified design, discharge testing, and room sealing inspections. |
| NFPA 68, 69 & 652 | Standard for Explosion Venting, Prevention Systems, and Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA); SSI delivers certified Fike explosion suppression and isolation. |
| NFPA 72 & NFPA 70 | National Fire Alarm and Electrical Code; engineered by NICET-certified designers and installed by factory-trained electrical technicians. |
| FCC GROL & UL 2524 | Public Safety Radio Signal Testing & Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems; SSI maintains 5 GROL-licensed staff members. |
Because every municipality enforces local amendments, your specific Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) holds ultimate approval over system designs. Explore official code developments directly via the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) documentation portal.
High-Hazard Industries Protected by SSI
Our specialized protection architectures are deployed across high-risk environments where operational continuity and zero-downtime targets are paramount.
Manufacturing, Chemical Processing, and Wood Products
We design and install integrated explosion protection systems, spark detection lines, and chemical isolation valves that protect dust collectors, cyclones, and conveying systems from devastating deflagration events.
Data Centers, Telecom, and Mission-Critical Infrastructure
SSI protects server vaults and cleanroom facilities using clean agent fire suppression (ECARO-25, ProInert2, Novec 1230), paired with VESDA aspirating smoke detection to stop thermal threats before equipment damage occurs.
Waste, Recycling, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
We deploy specialized off-gas detection (Li-ion Tamer), industrial thermal imaging cameras, and automated robotic monitors to identify spontaneous combustion and thermal runaway conditions inside high-hazard tipping floors and battery banks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Suppression Systems, Inc. (SSI)?
Suppression Systems, Inc. (SSI) is an engineered life safety distributor and system integrator specializing in special hazard clean agent fire suppression, industrial explosion protection, fire alarms, and emergency responder radio enhancement systems (BDA/ERCES).
When was Suppression Systems Inc. founded?
SSI was founded in June 1983 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. For over 40 years, the company has grown into a leading regional provider of special hazard protection across the East Coast.
Where is SSI located, and what states are served?
SSI’s corporate headquarters is located at 155 Nestle Way, Suite 104, Breinigsville, PA 18031. We provide turnkey sales, engineering, installation, and 24/7 service across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and the broader Mid-Atlantic region.
Is SSI affiliated with Fike Corporation?
Yes. In 2000, SSI became a wholly owned subsidiary of Fike Corporation. This partnership allows SSI to combine local engineering service with Fike’s globally recognized manufacturing of explosion protection and fire suppression hardware.
What core protection services does SSI offer?
SSI offers end-to-end services including Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA), system design, professional installation, commissioning, room integrity fan testing, clean agent cylinder recharging, annual inspections, and 24/7 emergency repair response.
What qualifications do SSI engineers and field technicians hold?
Our team includes NICET-certified fire protection engineers, factory-trained and certified technicians for all represented product lines, and 5 staff members holding the FCC General Radio Operator License (GROL) for public safety radio signal testing.
Does SSI offer in-house clean agent cylinder recharging?
Yes. SSI maintains a state-of-the-art clean agent recharge facility at our corporate location, allowing us to refill, test, and recertification clean agent cylinders rapidly without long shipping delays.
How can I request a facility hazard evaluation from SSI?
You can schedule a consultation by calling SSI toll-free at 1-800-360-0687, emailing info@suppressionsystems.com, or submitting a request online through our contact portal to speak with a System Sales and Design Consultant.
The SSI Approach to Life Safety and Hazard Protection
Our engineered execution strategy ensures complete protection across your facility’s entire operational lifecycle.
1. Design: Our NICET-certified engineers review your facility constraints, perform computer hazard modeling, and generate code-compliant engineering layouts.
2. Install: Factory-trained installers mount piping, signaling loops, and protection hardware, maintaining high standards of quality and job-site safety.
3. Commission: We conduct rigorous functional discharge tests, room integrity door fan tests, and sensor calibrations to secure AHJ code compliance.
4. Train: SSI delivers thorough operational instruction to site personnel, ensuring your staff understands panel indicators, interlocks, and reset sequences.
5. Service: Our regional service team provides scheduled preventative testing, in-house cylinder recharging, and 24/7/365 emergency field repair support.
Partner with the East Coast’s Premier Protection Experts
Do not leave your mission-critical operations, valuable capital assets, or employee safety to chance with generic fire protection quotes. Partner with the special hazard and explosion protection authority that has earned the trust of hundreds of East Coast facilities for over four decades.
Contact our team today to schedule an expert needs analysis or facility hazard consultation with an SSI System Design Specialist.
Schedule a Consultation: Contact SSI Online or call 1-800-360-0687. Corporate Office: 155 Nestle Way, Suite 104, Breinigsville, PA 18031. Serving PA, NJ, MD, VA, and DE.
Fire protection is important to your business. Finding the solutions to your fire protection needs is something we have been doing since 1983. Our customers have found that they can trust the experience, knowledge, honesty, integrity and ethics of SSI’s sales team. We invite you to contact one of the members of this team to discuss how SSI can protect your employee’s life safety and your valuable assets for the continued operation and success of your company. Contact us or call 1-800-360-0687 for a System Sales and Design Consultant to assist you with your needs.
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