Provider comparisons · California
A California-licensed alternative to Davis-Ulmer
Buyers comparing large life-safety platforms often want a single accountable party. Verify whether the branch quoting you also performs the engineering, or whether design, install, and service pass between entities.
Davis-Ulmer (davisulmer.com) is a separate company with no affiliation to Fireside Security. We publish no claims about their services — go read their site and compare for yourself. Everything below about Fireside is publicly verifiable.
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What actually matters in this comparison
- Whether design, install, and service stay with one accountable team
- How warranty and service obligations transfer after project closeout
- Whether as-builts and panel programming are handed over to you
- Which office holds the local relationship with your AHJ
Side by side
Fireside's answers, and the questions to bring
| What to compare | Fireside Security | Ask Davis-Ulmer the same |
|---|---|---|
| California contractor license | CSLB #978023, C-10 Electrical. Verifiable on the CSLB license lookup before you sign anything. | Ask for the CSLB number and check the class, status, bond, and workers' comp yourself. |
| Alarm company operator license | BSIS ACO #7133. Technicians are BSIS-registered, which California requires for alarm work. | Ask for the ACO number and confirm it is active with BSIS, not just an out-of-state license. |
| Central station monitoring | UL-Listed monitoring under UUFX S36457, 24/7/365. | Ask for the UL listing number of the central station that will actually receive your signals. |
| Who does the engineering and permitting | In-house. Fireside handles plan submittal, AHJ corrections, inspection, and closeout as one team. | Ask whether design, permitting, install, and service are the same company or subcontracted. |
| Geographic focus | California only, with offices in Santa Fe Springs, Hayward, San Mateo, and Sacramento. | Ask which physical office will dispatch your service calls and how far away it is. |
| Scope under one vendor | Fire alarm, monitoring, access control, video, intercom, and POTS replacement from one contractor. | Ask which parts of your scope get handed to a third party you'll never meet. |
| Years in operation | Operating since 1999. | Ask how long the local branch — not the parent holding company — has served your area. |
Questions
About this comparison
- Is Fireside Security affiliated with Davis-Ulmer?
- No. Davis-Ulmer is a separate, unaffiliated company. This page serves California buyers comparing commercial life-safety providers.
- Do you hand over as-builts and programming?
- Yes. Fireside delivers as-built documentation and panel programming records at closeout so you are never locked to one service provider.
- How do I check a California fire alarm contractor's license?
- Look up the license number on the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) site and confirm the alarm company operator license with the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). Fireside Security holds CSLB #978023 (C-10 Electrical), ACO #7133, and UL-Listed monitoring UUFX S36457.
- Where does Fireside Security operate?
- California only, with offices in Santa Fe Springs, Hayward, San Mateo, Sacramento. Fireside has operated since 1999.
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