Provider comparisons · California
A California-licensed alternative to Encore Fire Protection
Buyers usually land here because they found a large fire-protection brand in search results and then wanted to know who actually shows up for a service call in California. That is a geography question, not a brand question.
Encore Fire Protection (encorefireprotection.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.
Do this first
What actually matters in this comparison
- Which physical branch dispatches technicians to your address
- Whether the same company holds the C-10 and does the permitting
- Which central station receives your alarm signals, and its UL listing
- Whether inspection reports are filed with your local AHJ or just emailed to you
Side by side
Fireside's answers, and the questions to bring
| What to compare | Fireside Security | Ask Encore Fire Protection 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 Encore Fire Protection?
- No. Encore Fire Protection is a separate, unaffiliated company. This page exists because California buyers comparing commercial fire protection providers asked for a local, licensed alternative — it is not a statement about Encore's services.
- What makes Fireside a California-specific alternative?
- Fireside Security operates only in California, from offices in Santa Fe Springs, Hayward, San Mateo, and Sacramento, under CSLB #978023 (C-10) and BSIS ACO #7133, with UL-Listed monitoring (UUFX S36457). Every one of those is publicly verifiable before you commit.
- 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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