About Us - Magic City Sprinkler fire sprinkler systems Roanoke VA

Magic City Sprinkler, Inc.

is a fire protection contractor business serving the Roanoke Valley and several states in the Eastern United States since 1971. We are dedicated to providing quality fire sprinkler protection and cross connection testing.

With over 40 years in the industry and thousands of satisfied customers, we continue to offer our customers the service they expect and deserve. We want to earn your trust, thus your business, ensuring your loyalty. We look forward to hearing from you.

A Brief History of Fire Sprinklers

In 1812, British inventor Sir William Congreve patented a manual sprinkler system using perforated pipes along the ceiling. When someone noticed a fire, a valve outside the building could be opened to send water through the pipes.

A large furniture factory had repeatedly burned down, and Hiram Stevens Maxim was consulted on how to prevent a recurrence. As a result, Maxim invented the first automatic fire sprinkler. It would douse the areas that were on fire, and it would report the fire to the fire station. Maxim was unable to sell the idea elsewhere, but when the patent expired the idea was used.
Henry S. Parmalee of New Haven, CT created and installed the first automatic fire sprinkler system in 1874, using solder that melted in a fire to plug holes in the otherwise open water pipes. Parmelee invented his sprinkler system in response to exorbitantly high insurance rates. Parmelee patented his idea and had great success with it in the U.S. Parmelee called his invention the “automatic fire extinguisher”.

Frederick Grinnell, who was manufacturing the Parmelee sprinkler, designed a newer and more effective version which became known as the Grinnell sprinkler.

In Loving Memory of
Charles and Edna McGhee

Charles McGhee started his career in the Fire Protection field by working for Grinell Fire Protection for 20 years, located in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1971, he relocated his family to Roanoke, Virginia and joined forces with his brother at the company previously known as Magic City Aluminum Siding., Together, they expanded the business to include the Fire Protection division. Shortly after, they expanded, and the business was realigned as a Fire Protection company only, eliminating the Aluminum Siding division. In late 1971, Magic City Sprinkler was incorporated.

Under Charles McGhee’s leadership from 1971 until his retirement in 2000, the family business grew and focused on satisfactory customer service and providing quality Fire Protection work. Since his retirement, third and fourth generation family continue to run the business and strive to follow his same values, business ethics, and ultimate goal – to provide quality fire protection and protect the property and lives of others.

We will continue to grow

Magic City Sprinkler always strives to improve and grow. We value our customers, our employees and the companies integrity. As our customers needs change,
so do we. Bringing quality to all of the work that we do.

Areas we serve

We are located in Roanoke Virginia but serve many of the surrounding areas

Roanoke VA ,Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Lynchburg, Lexington, Martinsville, Danville, Staunton, Harrisonburg and most of the areas in between. If your area is not listed please contact to see if we can provide service to your business.

Magic City Sprinkler, Inc.

A Brief History of Fire Sprinklers

In Loving Memory of Charles and Edna McGhee

We will continue to grow

Areas we serve

Pages

In Loving Memory of
Charles and Edna McGhee