Superior Automatic Sprinkler history

In the 1870’s, Philip Pratt invented the first automatic sprinkler system.

Not a very creditable showing considering that Mr George Parmelee arrived in this country in 1881!

The test was made on the 22 March 1882, and the Bolton Evening News of the same date published the following report of what took place:

The second reported fire was in July 1885, in the non-fireproof Alexandra Cotton Mill, Bolton, which was a much more serious affair.

The first Corn Mill in England to be protected with Sprinklers was Barrow Flour Mill, belonging to Messers Walmsley & Smith. For example: the protection of Corn Mills was first legislated for in the 4th edition of the Rules, issued in March 1888.

The automatic fire sprinkler was then improved by Henry Parmalee and later perfected by Frederick Grinnell in the 1890’s.

Our history goes back over a century to when Buckner was first founded in Fresno, California in 1912.

Walter Storm purchased a brass foundry in Los Angeles, California in 1932, and his foundry eventually became a key supplier to many of the major companies in the irrigation industry.

In 1949, the Superior Controls Company was founded in Los Angeles, California by Allen and Powell Greenland.

In 1971, Continental Fire Sprinkler Company was founded by brothers John and William McVey.

In 1995, Continental Fire Sprinkler Company added to the fire sprinkler division and incorporated Continental Alarm and Detection Company.

In 1998 Buckner became a part Of the Storm Manufacturing Group.

In 2005, Kiewit Corporation, one of North America’s largest and most respected construction, engineering and mining companies, bought the business, including the Continental names: Continental Fire Sprinkler Company and Continental Alarm and Detection Company.

In 2006 Superior Controls became part of the Storm Manufacturing Group.

In 2008, the decision was made to merge both companies and as a result, Continental Alarm and Detection Company became a wholly internal division of Continental Fire Sprinkler Company, now known as “Continental Alarm and Detection, a division of Continental Fire Sprinkler Company.”