Fire Protection

Allegany County, Maryland is requesting bids for fire protection equipment testing and monitoring services at the Thomas B. Finan Hospital Center and Sheppard Pratt School in Cumberland, with bids due June 24, 2026 under a fixed two-year contract term.

Sheppard Pratt of Cumberland scope includes annual fire alarm system inspections (one main control panel, two NAC panels, 88 initiating and supervisory devices, 79 notification and output devices); quarterly water-based sprinkler system testing across three wet systems; annual portable fire extinguisher tagging and inspection; and 24/7 central station monitoring with cellular dialer maintenance. Thomas B. Finan Center scope is more extensive: annual fire alarm inspections of one main 640 control panel, nine NAC panels, two annunciator panels, 327 initiating and supervisory devices, 438 notification and output devices, and annual elevator recall testing; quarterly testing of eight wet sprinkler systems; semi-annual commercial kitchen hood suppression system inspections; annual portable fire extinguisher tagging and inspection; and 24/7 central station monitoring. All testing and inspections are performed during normal business hours (Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

The vendor is responsible for determining system functionality at time of performance and must itemize suggested improvements in accordance with NFPA Guidelines and report findings accordingly. The contract excludes routine maintenance, repairs, parts replacements, and compliance design analyses. The facilities retain responsibility for system readiness, unobstructed device access, active system engagement, coordination with local fire departments and monitoring providers, third-party inspections and elevator service, current as-built drawings, stable 120VAC power with two active RJ31X phone lines adjacent to control panels, adequate external drainage for sprinkler testing discharge, heated sprinkler valve enclosures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and routine maintenance of dry pipe low-point drum drips. Locked, concealed, or safety-hazard areas such as unfloored or poorly lit attics are excluded from inspection scope.