WESTERN STATES FIRE PROTECTION CO. INSTALLS SPRINKLER SYSTEM IN USS LEXINGTON

June 25, 2005 - Western States Fire Protection Co. installed a wet pipe fire sprinkler system and stand pipes in the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi, Texas. The project took 120 days to complete and over 400 fire sprinkler heads were installed.

The USS Lexington, a World War II-vintage aircraft carrier, was commissioned in 1943 and set more records than any other carrier in the history of naval aviation. The ship participated in nearly every major operation in the Pacific Theater and spent a total of 21 months in combat. The ship's planes destroyed 372 enemy aircraft in the air and 475 more on the ground. The ship sank or destroyed 300,000 tons of enemy cargo and damaged an additional 600,000 tons. The ship's guns shot down 15 planes and assisted in downing five more.

In 1992, the USS Lexington was officially retired and signed over to the city of Corpus Christi to serve as a museum to preserve, for the enjoyment and education of future generations, the nation's longest serving and most historically significant aircraft carrier.

In the above picture is a silver colored stand pipe on the exterior of the ship. There are hose pipes attached to the standpipe in the event there is a fire on the outside of the ship.

In order to run the fire sprinkler pipes, holes had to be cut in the steel walls throughout the USS Lexington. Due to the historical significance of the ship Western States Fire Protection Co. had to coordinate with museum staff the location of each cut.

A backflow preventer is a double check valve assembly that uses a reduced pressure principle to prevent the backflow of polluted water into the water supply. Often times chemical additives, such as anti-freeze, are in the fire sprinkler system.

Western States Fire Protection Co. is proud to have played a role in making the USS Lexington a safer place to visit. It is a valuable national treasure that played a significant role in the nation's defense for nearly 50 years and is a memorial worth preserving to help us remember the heroism and sacrifice of those who have served their nation.

Parts of this headline rely on extracts from www.usslexington.com which are reproduced here by permission of The USS Lexington Museum on the Bay.

Western States Fire Protection Co.

At Western States Fire Protection Co. protecting lives and property is more than just a slogan - it's our purpose. It's what drives us and keeps us going each day.

WSFP built a national reputation in the industry by living out our mission:

QUALITY SOLUTIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF LIVES AND PROPERTY, PROVIDING AN EXCEPTIONAL VALUE TO OUR CUSTOMERS.

WSFP is a full-service fire protection contractor with 26 locations west of the Mississippi, including Fire Protection Services, National Fire Suppression and Statewide Fire Protection divisions. We have a wide range of expertise in service, inspection, commercial, residential, industrial and retrofit construction. With the experience, determination and the know-how to handle any project that comes our way - WSFP has the people to make a difference.

Construction services are performed by a strong team of quality individuals, with safety in mind and a commitment to provide customers with products and services to exceed expectations. We offer a high level of professionalism to ensure customer satisfaction. Our integrity is unsurpassed.

Western States Fire Protection Co. is on the front line each day to help build a safer environment for our clients in the areas we do business.

We Train Leaders

At WSFP we pride ourselves on our people. Part of what drives our people to be the best is the extensive training we provide. Every person in every phase of the operation has the opportunity to expand on their everyday skills. From the Corporate Design Center, where we train in design and project management, to the individual branch offices, where field personnel have the chance to fine tune their skills on actual systems.

Our Kansas City Training Room system was designed by our team and installed by a Local 314 apprenticeship class. The room's system offers hands-on training for field installers, and visualization for our designers, clients and AHJs. There are nine systems using the latest technology along with a location built to install a fire pump.

Our Albuquerque Training Room offers access to different parts of systems and a monthly class focused on a variety of topics. The continued training provides the Albuquerque field and office personnel with a competitive edge over the local competition.

Western States Fire Protection Co. stays committed to developing the finest talents in the industry.