Celebrating 20 years in business, Firepro is at the forefront of technology in the fire protection industry. Run by its trailblazing managing director Frances Rooney, the Dublin-based company is contracted by some of the biggest names in worldwide construction, with expertise in hospitality, commercial, data centres, healthcare, offices and residential.
No stranger to winning prestigious accolades, Firepro was delighted to be a finalist in both the 2025 Women in Construction and Irish Construction Excellence (ICE) Awards. Frances Rooney was shortlisted for Business Owner of the Year in the Women in Construction Awards, which celebrate the most innovative individuals and companies driving excellence in Ireland’s construction sector.
Not to be outdone, her son and co-director James Rooney was nominated in the Future Leader in Construction Management category of the ICE Awards, which are the original and premier recognition of performance excellence for the contracting sector in Ireland. By coincidence, a project which Firepro is working on alongside John Sisk & Sons – Four & Five Park Place in Dublin’s CBD – was also shortlisted in the Specialist Construction Under €5m category.
Firepro previously won the Judges’ Silver Award at the 2023 and ’24 ICE Awards for its work with John Sisk & Sons on the Cherrywood TC2 and Purcell Construction on the Dublin City Council North City Operations Depot projects respectively.
“It’s great recognition for our company and our amazing team,” Frances enthuses.
“The awards and nominations not only highlight the importance of the passive fire protection industry in construction, but also help us to showcase excellence for all who work, sleep and play in the buildings of high standards today. They are also a testament to the fantastic work of our strong team who continue to set the highest standards in the industry.”
Originally from Dublin’s North Circular Road, Frances is building quite a legacy to pass on to future generations. She is a self-motivated woman who has thrived within male-dominated fields for over 40 years. “I’m 66 now and have no notion of retiring,” stresses Frances, who has also lived in Blackrock and Sandyford.
In 1982, she was one of the first females to venture into the truck sales industry in Ireland, and attributes her continuing success to her pride, determination and ambition. She set up Firepro in 2005 as a branch of Firepro UK, buying it out five years later. Her role as managing director includes managing the day-to-day running of the business and collaborating with main contractors, architects and quantity surveyors. When fire protection works are carried out and completed on projects, a fire certificate is issued and signed off by Frances. The company motto is ‘Our Strength is Your Safety’, and Frances believes firmly in that.
Previously, Frances worked for the Noxell Corporation and has extensive experience in various industries, including modelling, promotions, finance, water machines, recruitment, floristry and truck sales.
James began his construction career as a young teenager, working on-site for a small builder during summer school holidays and quickly developed a knack for hands-on work. “I gave him a Safe Pass after he did Transition Year in school and he’s now a co-director of Firepro,” Frances explains.
“James’ daughter and my granddaughter – Ailia – recently did work experience with us as part of her Transition Year studies. Who knows, maybe she and her sister Cliara will follow us into the business in years to come.”
James joined Firepro after leaving school and by 2010, was promoted to contracts manager, overseeing 38 staff members. Despite the challenges posed by the recession, Firepro survived by focusing on fire protection in the construction industry, contributing to high-profile projects such as the Grand Canal Theatre and the 3Arena. As Firepro’s operations grew, James led innovative solutions such as custom-designed fire protection systems for complex projects like Dublin Airport and the 3Arena. He also promoted employee wellbeing and diversity.
Looking forward, he’s working on Firecor, a new company focused on fire protection product development and testing. His goal is to establish fire protection as a recognised trade and to introduce an apprenticeship scheme. He’s also expanding Firecor’s international reach, with plans to enter markets such as Saudi Arabia.
Based in Loughlinstown, Dublin 18, Firepro serves clients throughout Ireland and internationally. As approved installers and applicators of the industry’s leading passive fire protection systems, the Firepro team bring unparalleled expertise to every project. With extensive experience in specifying, installing and maintaining fire protection systems for some of the world’s largest building projects, Firepro is a proven industry leader.
The fire protection industry is continuously evolving with new systems and technologies aimed at enhancing compartmentation performance in buildings. Firepro stays abreast of the latest developments to provide the best service and advice to its existing and future clients.
The company assists clients in meeting legal obligations, such as insurance criteria, to ensure a safe environment for their employees and visitors, while also protecting valuable stock and assets. Firepro fully understands the complexities posed by modern buildings, including air-conditioning systems, communications networks and high-specification electrical installations. Its expertise ensures that fire compartments are effectively maintained amid the array of cables, pipes and air-handling ducts that pass through walls and floors.
Accredited by the IAPFP (Irish Association for Passive Fire Protection), Firepro is the specialist partner you need to effectively manage fire risk, control, assurance and compliance.
“Engaging a company that is fully compliant with Government and industry regulations as well as best practices is the most effective way to maximise fire protection for your building and ensure the highest levels of safety for your employees,” Frances says.
Firepro enjoys an excellent working relationship with suppliers and clients alike. Among its suppliers are SIG, Etag, Tennants, HPC Insulation Division, IPC (Industrial Protective Coatings), AIC Paints, DSS, KEMWELL, Brooks, Isopartner, Hilti, Lindab, UValue, ProQuip and NFP Ireland.
Its impressive client-base includes John Sisk & Sons, Purcell Construction, SIAC, Ballymore, Collen Construction, Bennett Construction, Lioncor, Neil Martin, Bracegrade, Duke, Lynskey, Lymar, Brifin, Jabes Interiors, Clonlough Andrews, Ardmac, PJ Hegarty, JJ Rhatigan, Kercon, Cleary Doyle, PMB, Townlink, Vardis Group, John Paul Construction, Weslin, Roccul, Parsons Principal, EPL, Built Interiors, Blackwell, Actavo, Kelland Homes, Danaher, Zilic, MB McNamara, Gunn Lennon, Wall Steel, Winterbrook, Belgrove Homes, CBRE, JCPS, ADCO, Allen & Smyth, BAM, Bretland, Grant Fit Out, KDM Group, Logical, Sheahan & Collins Construction, Clancy Construction and Walls Construction.
“We’re currently working with Sisk, Actavo, Purcell Construction, John Paul Construction and Clancy Construction on various residential projects across Dublin,” the affable managing director reveals.
“We’re also working on a data centre in Drogheda. Other current projects include the new Garda HQ on Harcourt Street with John Paul Construction, ESB substations with Kilwex and hotels in Parnell Street and Oliver Bond Street for Sheehan & Collins as well as shop fitouts in the Jervis, Blanchardstown and Liffey Valley Shopping Centres.
“We’re busy across several different fields.”
Contact Firepro today to discuss the most competitive solutions for your fire protection requirements.
Here’s to the next 20 years!
Firepro
Carrington House,
19-22 Bray Road,
Loughlinstown,
Dublin 18,
D18 X5A2.
Telephone: +353 (0)1 282 0484
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.firepro.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, August, Vol 11 No 9
