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Save the Date

Excellence in Construction Awards

Acrisure Amphitheater

eicawardsdev on April 29, 2026

Story

Brigade Fire Protection partnered with Pioneer and Barton Malow to install one wet and two dry sprinkler systems at the new amphitheater. Completed in 20 weeks, the project included 169 dry pendants and required extensive BIM coordination to address tight spaces while maintaining the building’s architectural aesthetics.

Facts

Submitter: Brigade Fire Protection

Size: 10 SF

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Date contract completed: April 2026

Final contract value: $349,000

Project manager’s name: Andy Jacobs

Superintendent’s name(s): Brad Hallock

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 100%

MLK Park Community Center

eicawardsdev on April 29, 2026

The exterior of the MLK Park Community Center
The interior of the MLK Park Community Center
The interior of the MLK Park Community Center

Story

Total Fire Protection designed and install a single wet sprinkler system with mixed pipe sizes plus upright and concealed heads at the new MLK Park Community Center. The sloped structure and cloud ceilings added complexity, make the project especially rewarding.

Facts

Submitter: Total Fire Protection, Inc.

Size: 24,283 SF

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Date contract completed: February 2026

Final contract value: $83,000

Project manager’s name: Erich Nelson

Superintendent’s name(s): Mike Wilcox

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 100%

Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health

eicawardsdev on April 29, 2026

The interior of Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health
The interior of Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health
The interior of Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health

Story

The team at Total Fire Protection installed almost 1,400 sprinkler heads in multiple colors to protect the new Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health. Remote risers were installed in multiple “pods” for quick access in the event of a necessary emergency shutdown.

Facts

Submitter: Total Fire Protection, Inc.

Size: 134,784 SF

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Date contract completed: February 2026

Final contract value: $651,000

Project manager’s name: Lou Markel

Superintendent’s name(s): Mike Wilcox

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 100%

60th Street Industrial Park

eicawardsdev on April 23, 2026

Story

The project required the installation of over 7,000 sprinkler heads, nearly 15 miles of pipe, and a 2,000 GPM diesel fire pump. Working efficiently over an eight-month timeline, a dedicated three-person crew maintained an impressive pace, occasionally completing one full system per week. The team successfully managed this demanding schedule while actively coordinating necessary building inspections during the busy holiday season, ultimately delivering a robust, reliable fire protection network without compromising safety or quality.

Facts

Submitter: Brigade Fire Protection

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Date contract completed: December 2025

Final contract value: $1,145,000

Project manager’s name: Andy Jacobs

Superintendent’s name(s): Marc Perdok

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 100%

The Casnovia Barn

eicawardsdev on April 23, 2026

Excellence in Construction Awards

Story

This project is a 1950s dairy barn transformed into a beautiful wedding venue. The historical renovation space came with unique challenges, including varied ceilings, tight install spaces, and rigid schedules. The space was equipped with state-of-the-art fire safety equipment while staying true to the venue’s vintage charm.

Facts

Submitter: Dependable Fire Protection, Inc.

Location: Casnovia, MI

Date contract completed: February 2026

Final contract value: $186,000

Project manager’s name: Steve VanHuisen, Frank Gallegos

Superintendent’s name(s): Rob Howland, Brad Ferguson

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 100%

Corewell Health — Ambulatory Care Center

eicawardsdev on June 13, 2025

interior of the building
interior of the building
interior of the building
exterior of the building

Story

This project required swift execution within a compact downtown site. The Brigade Fire Protection team successfully designed, coordinated, and installed a fire sprinkler system featuring a 1000 GPM fire pump, two standpipes, 10 floor control valves, one dry system, 2,533 sprinkler heads, and thousands of feet of steel piping, all while adhering to the demanding schedule.

Facts

Submitter: Brigade Fire Protection

Architect: Perkins&Will

Size: 24,1000 SF

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Date contract completed: November 2024

Final contract value: $1,218,000

Project manager’s name: Josh McCormick

Superintendent’s name(s): Chad Cato

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 100%

Interchange Distribution Center II

eicawardsdev on June 13, 2025

interior of buildiing
interior of building
interior of building
exterior of the center

Story

Extensive coordination and precise premobilization design were critical for this project, given the limited pump room space, tight schedule, and specific ESFR sprinkler requirements. At the 770 Interchange, a 300,000 SF warehouse with multiple shipping docks and office space, Brigade installed 35,000 feet of exposed steel piping, 3,200 sprinkler heads, and nearly 3,000 couplings. Remarkably, a two-person crew completed the installation in just over 800 hours.

Facts

Submitter: Brigade Fire Protection

Size: 300,000 SF

Location: Holland, MI

Date contract completed: July 2024

Final contract value: $647,000

Project manager’s name: Brent Elkins

Superintendent’s name(s): Don Haminger

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 100%

Latvian Center Garezers

eicawardsdev on June 13, 2025

exterior of buildiing
interior of building
interior of building
interior of building
interior of building
interior of building
interior of building

Story

This multi-purpose building is outfitted with a state-of-the-art dry system, vertical turbine diesel fire pump, underground tank, and nitrogen generator. Installation required working around aesthetic architecture to conceal piping, using seven types of sprinkler heads to accommodate variable ceiling heights, and accommodating a tight schedule for opening day.

Facts

Submitter: Dependable Fire Protection, Inc.

Architect: Intersect

Location: Three Rivers, MI

Date contract completed: December 2024

Final contract value: $223,000

Project manager’s name: Mike Groner & Brad Ferguson

Superintendent’s name(s): Adam Springsteen & Chris O’Brien

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 100%

WINNER: Studio Park Lofts & Tower

eicawardsdev on June 13, 2025

Story

A high-pressure fire pump was installed to feed the sprinkler and standpipe system in Grand Rapids’ fifth-tallest building. Additionally, fire protection was added to the existing in-use five-story parking garage without disrupting day to day operations.

Facts

Submitter: Total Fire Protection, Inc.

Size: 484,919 SF

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Date contract completed: September 2024

Final contract value: $1,151,000

Project manager’s name: Erich Nelson

Superintendent’s name(s): Mike Wilcox

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 100%

LMCU Ballpark

eicawardsdev on June 13, 2025

Story

Total Fire Protection designed and installed new wet and dry systems for the renovated home clubhouse and suite, and relocated sprinklers in the visitors’ clubhouse. Using Schedule 40/10 black pipe with threaded and grooved fittings, the team met a demanding schedule while navigating tight spaces and coordinating with multiple trades.

Facts

Submitter: Total Fire Protection, Inc.

Size: 27,719 SF

Location: Comstock Park, MI

Date contract completed: December 2024

Final contract value: $213,000

Project manager’s name: Lou Markel

Superintendent’s name(s): Kevin Siegel

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 100%