About Us

Fire protection provider

About Us

Fire protection provider

Protecting Life, Buildings and Products

Automatic has been providing all aspects of fire protection services across every sector of the economy throughout Ireland since 1981.

Wholly Irish-owned and managed, the company is Ireland’s only dedicated fire protection provider & fire engineering company.

We are a dynamic and energetic customer-focused team dedicated to finding cost-effective and reliable solutions to meet the needs of our customers and their business objectives.

Our experienced fire engineering specialists investigate the feasibility of fire protection solutions to ensure they not only meet but exceed the needs of your projects before designing, installing, commissioning and maintaining your facility’s bespoke systems.

Our fire engineering company clients are assured of end-to-end fire protection services which are delivered in an efficient, courteous and professional manner.

We know the importance of always being there for our clients to ensure their people and property are protected from fire risk – that’s why we always have expert engineers available for 24 hours nationwide emergency response. Our servicing department can provide an ongoing maintenance plan for your business, including annual testing, service and repair work, filter change reminders and much more.

Our vision has always been to be the customer’s preferred supplier in delivering superior engineered solutions, by exceeding expectations through outstanding service, world-class talent and technical innovation. By living up to our values over the years we have become the trusted provider for many of Ireland’s biggest organisations.

All of our engineers are fully trained and vastly experienced experts in the field of fire protection to ensure the level of service provided is always a perfect fit for your requirements.

Our high-level IT and design capabilities include the use of the latest computer-aided design tools including AutoCAD, BIM, Revit and more so that your project is delivered to the high standards you visualised right from the start.

Our Story

Automatic Sprinkler Company (Ireland) Ltd was formed in 1981 by Philip McDonald. His leadership saw the company quickly establish a reputation for quality, safety, reliability and value for money. Philip attributes the early growth of the company to surrounding himself with “a great team of people” who shared his vision to establish the best fire protection & fire engineering company in Ireland.

Back then, the fire protection market was largely driven by the requirements of insurance companies providing cover pharmaceutical and manufacturing processes.

Philip later led the company into overseas markets and successfully completed projects in Germany, The Netherlands, Great Britain, Iraq, Syria, Nigeria and Egypt. Over the decades, the market has been transformed due to various factors, not least changes in legislation governing fire protection and safety.

The company and its reputation expanded steadily through the 80s, 90s and 00s. We installed our first gas suppression system in 1984. In 1989 Automatic Sprinkler Company (Ireland) Ltd became the first fire protection company to exclusively adopt AutoCAD computer-aided design.

In 1993 we became the first Irish fire protection company to achieve the world’s foremost quality management standard ISO 9001 while in 1996 we completed our first overseas contract before being entered into the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) scheme for approved contractors in 2005.

A major expansion of the company came in 2010 with the cessation of all Irish operations by competitor Mather & Platt (trading as Tyco Fire and Integrated Solutions). A number of key Mather & Platt management and engineers – with a combined industry experience in excess of 150 years – joined our company which was subsequently rebranded as Automatic Fire & Integrated Solutions.

In 2012 and 2014 respectively, our Automatic Environmental Solutions and Automatic Passive Fire Protection divisions were established as the company continued to expand its product and service range to cater for the ever-changing market.

2014 also saw the awarding of the highest level of accreditation available to sprinkler system providers when the company achieved LPS 1048 Level 4 certified contractor status. The sought-after accreditation came a year after the company achieved both SafeT and Safe Contractor certifications.

Following relocation to a new 9,000 square-foot headquarters at Park West in 2013, the company continued to expand and solidify its reputation as Ireland’s trusted provider of fire protection services.

In 2019, Philip sold Automatic to the senior management team of Paul, Jack and Catriona – his “valued colleagues and friends” – with a commitment of continuity in charting the next phase of the company’s development. Philip’s involvement in Automatic continues as a consultant to assist the company develop and maintain continuity into the future. Turnover has grown in recent years and new challenges undertaken, without compromising quality or personal relationships with all our clients.

Over many years, we have been the provider of fire protection services for several major projects throughout Ireland, including domestic and international household brands such as Microsoft, Glanbia, Facebook, Janssen, Procter & Gamble, Danone, Coca Cola, Arnotts, Bank of Ireland, Eir and many more.

In 2020, Automatic Fire & Integrated Solutions was rebranded to Automatic to mark the beginning of the next stage in our exciting journey of ‘Protecting Life, Buildings and Products’.

 

Protecting Life, Buildings and Products

Automatic has been providing all aspects of fire protection services across every sector of the economy throughout Ireland since 1981.

Wholly Irish-owned and managed, the company is Ireland’s only dedicated fire protection provider.

We are a dynamic and energetic customer-focused team dedicated to finding cost-effective and reliable solutions to meet the needs of our customers and their business objectives.

Our experienced fire engineering specialists investigate the feasibility of fire protection solutions to ensure they not only meet but exceed the needs of your projects before designing, installing, commissioning and maintaining your facility’s bespoke systems.

Our clients are assured of end-to-end fire protection services which are delivered in an efficient, courteous and professional manner.

We know the importance of always being there for our clients to ensure their people and property are protected from fire risk – that’s why we always have expert engineers available for 24 hour nationwide emergency response. Our servicing department can provide an ongoing maintenance plan for your business, including annual testing, service and repair work, filter change reminders and much more.

Our vision has always been to be a customer’s preferred supplier in delivering superior engineered solutions, by exceeding expectations through outstanding service, world-class talent and technical innovation. By living up to our values over the years we have become the trusted provider for many of Ireland’s biggest organisations.

All of our engineers are fully trained and vastly experienced experts in the field of fire protection to ensure the level of service provided is always a perfect fit for your requirements.

Our high-level IT and design capabilities include the use of the latest computer-aided design tools including AutoCAD, BIM, Revit and more so that your project is delivered to the high standards you visualised right from the start.

Our Story

The Automatic Sprinkler Company Ireland Ltd was formed in 1981 by Philip McDonald. His leadership saw the company quickly establish a reputation for quality, safety, reliability and value for money. Philip attributes the early growth of the company to surrounding himself with “a great team of people” who shared his vision to establish the best fire protection company in Ireland.

Back then the fire protection market was largely driven by the requirements of insurance companies providing cover pharmaceutical and manufacturing processes.

Philip later led the company into overseas markets and successfully completed projects in Germany, The Netherlands, Great Britain, Iraq, Syria, Nigeria and Egypt. Over the decades the market has been transformed due to various factors, not least changes in legislation governing fire protection and safety.

The company and its reputation expanded steadily through the 80s, 90s and 00s. We installed our first gas suppression system in 1984. In 1989 Automatic Sprinkler Company Ireland Ltd became the first fire protection company to exclusively adopt AutoCAD computer-aided design.

In 1993 we became the first Irish fire protection company to achieve the world’s foremost quality management standard ISO 9001 while in 1996 we completed our first overseas contract before being entered into the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) scheme for approved contractors in 2005.

A major expansion of the company came in 2010 with the cessation of all Irish operations by competitor Mather & Platt (trading as Tyco Fire and Integrated Solutions). A number of key Mather & Platt management and engineers – with a combined industry experience in excess of 150 years – joined our company which was subsequently rebranded as Automatic Fire & Integrated Solutions.

In 2012 and 2014 respectively, our Automatic Environmental Solutions and Automatic Passive Fire Protection divisions were established as the company continued to expand its product and service range to cater for the ever-changing market.

2014 also saw the awarding of the highest level of accreditation available to sprinkler system providers when the company achieved LPBC 1048 Level 4 certified contractor status. The sought-after accreditation came a year after the company achieved both SafeT and Safe Contractor certifications.

Following relocation to a new 9,000 square-foot headquarters at Park West in 2013, the company continued to expand and solidify its reputation as Ireland’s trusted provider of fire protection services.

In 2019, Philip sold Automatic to the management team of Paul, Jack and Catriona – his “valued colleagues and friends” – so they could chart the next phase of the company’s development. Philip’s involvement in Automatic continues as a consultant to assist the company develop and maintain continuity into the future.

A buy-out by senior management took place in mid-2019, with a commitment of continuity to develop and grow the business. Turnover has grown in recent years and new challenges undertaken, without compromising quality or personal relationships with all our clients.

At the end of 2019, we opened a new office in Holland as a European base where we see future growth potential and opportunities to widen the management experience and connections with international clients.

Over many years, we have been the provider of fire protection services for several major projects throughout Ireland, including domestic and international household brands such as Microsoft, Glanbia, Facebook, Janssen, Procter & Gamble, Danone, Coca Cola, Arnotts, Bank of Ireland, Eir and many more.

In 2020, Automatic Fire & Integrated Solutions was rebranded to Automatic to mark the beginning of the next stage in our exciting journey of ‘Protecting Life, Buildings and Products’.

1981
1984
1989
1993
1996
2005
2010
2010
2012
2013
2013
2014
2020

1981

Automatic Sprinkler Company Ltd is established and first sprinkler system installed

1984

Automatic installs first gas suppression system

1989

Automatic is the first fire protection company to adopt exclusively AutoCAD

1993

Automatic Sprinkler Company Ireland Ltd is the first fire protection company to achieve ISO 9001

1996

Automatic completes first overseas contract

2005

Automatic enters into the LPCB scheme for approved contractors

2010

Automatic takes over the service business of Tyco Fire & Integrated Solutions

2010

Automatic Sprinkler Co. rebrand as Automatic Fire and Integrated Solutions

2012

Automatic Environmental Solutions is established

2013

Automatic is awarded SafeT and Safe Contractor Certification

2013

Automatic relocates to a new 9,000sqft premises in Parkwest

2014

Automatic Passive Fire Protection established

2020

Automatic Fire and Integrated Solutions rebrands as Automatic

Our Management
Team

Our people are our greatest assets and the cornerstone of our success. We work in a people business with constant interaction within teams and with consultants, contractors and clients.
We have a wide group of leaders throughout the company with a shared passion and loyalty, to deliver a professional service of the highest standard, for our clients.

Executive Team

Paul Kennedy
Paul KennedyDirector/Owner

Paul joined the company in May 2012, having previously worked with Tyco FIS as a Director in Germany for two years. Prior to that he was Managing Director of Mather & Platt (Tyco Ireland), having joined in 2006. After qualifying as a Mechanical Engineer in 1996 and an MBA in 2005, he has also worked in Preussag (Ireland) Fire Protection and with Minimax Fire Protection in Germany. With over 25 years of experience in the Fire Protection business, Paul brings a wealth of experience and technical knowledge to the company, which he is recognised and highly respected for within the Industry. He brings a practical solution to Fire Protection challenges, along with a technical and compliance perspective in respect of current legislation.

Catriona Graham
Catriona GrahamDirector/Owner

Catriona joined the company in March 2004, after spending five years as Group Accountant in Brown Thomas. Prior to that, she was self-employed for ten years.
Catriona is a qualified Chartered Accountant and leads a highly effective accounting and administration team, which also includes Health & Safety, Human Resources and Fleet Management. Catriona brings a professional and diligent attitude to all matters and gets the best out of people with her fair minded interactions.

John Nolan
John NolanBusiness Development Director

John is the most recent professional to join the management team here at Automatic. He shares the same fundamental beliefs and guiding principles that have been instrumental over the years in establishing the company’s enviable reputation in the marketplace. In his role as Business Development Director, John is committed to building ever stronger relationships with our existing customers, and to forging new strategic partnerships to further grow and develop the business.

John brings 20+ years’ experience spanning 17 years as Divisional Director with a Tier 1 building contractor, 4 years driving Business Development with a Tier 1 Mechanical Electrical & Fire Protection contractor, and he has also completed a UCD Smurfit MBA.

Department
Managers

Nathan Walsh
Nathan WalshSprinkler Department

Nathan joined the company in January 2010, having spent the previous five years with Tyco FIS. Having qualified as a Mechanical Engineer in 1991, Nathan joined Mercury Engineering working in various roles over a twelve year period, from Design, Contracts Management and Estimating, both in Ireland and overseas.
Nathan, with almost 30 years experience, across a wide range of Sprinkler Systems from Domestic installations to large Oil Field risks, heads up a strong team of Contracts Managers and Project Engineers, working throughout the island of Ireland.

Mark Ferris
Mark Ferris Gas Suppression, Detection & Alarm Department

Mark joined the company in December 2010 and took over as Department Manager in 2019 from his father Tony, who is now a Consultant to the company.
After qualifying in Electronic Engineering, Mark worked as Service Manager with Mather & Platt for five years before joining Tyco FIS as Service Manager for a further five years. Mark gained invaluable experience from Tony Ferris, who is widely recognised as an industry expert in Gas Fire Suppression systems.
With over 20 years experience in this specialised field working with leading brands and clients, Mark heads a highly motivated team of Project and Service Engineers, along with a growing Detection & Alarm division who are respected in the market place and have completed a number of prestigious installations.

Steve Berry
Steve Berry Design Manager

Steve joined the company in 1990 and has spent his thirty year working life as Head Designer with Automatic.
From graduating as a Design Engineer from Bolton Street, Steve completed the full suite of LPC qualifications from Basic Level, through to Intermediate and Advanced FHC. Steve also completed the Hydracad, Hydracalc & Hydralist Sprinkler System Design Course along with the FM Global Training from Warrington.
As an LPCB Level 4 (highest accreditation) Approved Sprinkler Contractor, our team of qualified Design Engineers are skilled in many software applications including BIM, AutoCad and Revit. Steve leads that team with a professional attitude and 30 years of knowledge to assist Consultants and Fire Officers deliver a compliant outcome for their clients.