Our History
In 1930, Roswell E. Bolen began Approved Fire Protection as a part time business refilling fire extinguishers for local fire departments and small businesses. The business operated in the basement of the family home located on Westervelt Avenue, North Plainfield, NJ.
After World War II, the Bolen family and Approved Fire Protection moved to Greenbrook Road, North Plainfield, NJ. At this location, Roswell Bolen began on-site fire extinguisher service.
Early 1950’s, Roswell Bolen built a new home for Approved Fire Protection. The building, approximately 2500 square foot, was located on Route 29 (now Route 22) North Plainfield, NJ. This location soon became New Jersey’s largest fire and safety sales and service facility.
In the mid-1960s Roswell Oldest daughter, Dorothy Meskill, took over operations of the business. Dorothy was one of few women business owners of that time. Dorothy brought her son, Robert Niper, into the business to assist her in growing the business in the early 1970s with a vision of becoming New Jersey’s best fire Protection company.
In 1982, Bob Niper and 2 partners, acquired control of Approved Fire Protection Company, and launched an allied company, Approved Fire Protection Systems Inc. to sell, install and service all types of fire alarm and suppression systems.
Today both companies occupy over 12,000 square feet of industrial space in South Plainfield, NJ, operate 30 service vehicles and employ over 50 people servicing and installing ALL fire protection systems and products. Currently, Bob Niper’s daughter, Diane Pein, oversees the company operations with a great team of leaders. The company is now entering its 5th generation of family ownership living the great core values ensuring all our team members are important and always learning.
