New premises signal next chapter for Zero Fire

Opening the doors of its new Hamilton premises to clients last week marked the beginning of the next chapter for fire protection specialists Zero Fire. 

First established in 2015 with just a handful of key staff, Zero Fire was originally based out of the home of its director Travis Pocock.

“It really was just small beginnings for us,” he says. “As the business grew I kept adding more Portacoms and sheds at my property to cater to the additional staff.”

Significant growth over the past six years means Pocock now employs close to 50 staff and offers a range of fire protection services including fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, fire hydrant systems, passive fire protection as well as testing and compliance and service and maintenance of these systems.

A purpose-built premises designed by Edwards White and constructed by Fosters was completed late last year, with Zero Fire holding an Open Day for its clients, suppliers and industry partners on site last week.

“Relationships are key for us; they are the foundation for Zero Fire and the reason we have experienced such significant growth over the past six years. So it was fantastic to be able to welcome our valued clients, suppliers and partners at our new premises on Ossie James Drive and celebrate just how far we have come,” says Pocock.

The premises enables staff to work together more efficiently and has allowed Zero Fire to expand its services even further into the new areas of testing and compliance, and service and maintenance. 

“Having more space has allowed us to fill some key roles in order to provide the new services – this means that regardless of whether we were the installer or not, we can now service and maintain all fire protection systems.”

Heading up the new services are Shannon Sanson and Alun Rodgers who between them have an impressive 29 years’ industry experience. 

“This is a bit of a theme here across Zero Fire,” says Pocock. “A lot of our staff have clocked up a vast amount of fire industry experience which is invaluable to us.”

Pocock says when Zero Fire was first established it was focussed solely on delivering fire sprinkler systems and soon expanded to include the key services of fire alarms and passive fire protection.

“Each time we’ve expanded our services we’ve welcomed on board new specialists who continue to broaden our collective skillset and expertise, enabling us to provide a more comprehensive and higher level of service to our clients.” 

Pocock says Zero Fire is committed to further expanding the team’s expertise through ongoing professional training and development opportunities, as well as nurturing new industry talent.

“Currently we have several young employees on board who are keen to make a career for themselves in fire protection. It is great, not only for Zero Fire but the wider industry, to have the next generation of talent making their way through the ranks.”

Over the past few years Zero Fire has also branched out into Bay of Plenty, where its sprinkler general manager Scott Taylor has taken the lead.

“Scott is well known and respected in the industry so having him lead the way for us in the Bay of Plenty makes sense and means we know we’re in safe hands.”

Pocock credits his exceptional staff as the catalyst for Zero Fire’s growth and success over the past six years, and says having an in-house design team has also been an important point of difference.

“The benefit to our clients is their plans can be adapted quickly to respond to any changes that might arise, ensuring onsite teams and other sub-contractors are not held up. This can really mean all the difference during an important project.”

Despite its growth, Pocock says Zero Fire is committed to maintaining its ‘family-owned business feel’ and ensures staff get plenty of opportunities to build on relationships and have fun together during its regular BBQs, fishing trips and paint ball excursions.

Zero Fire Open Day 2021