Monroe Extinguisher Company, Inc was incorporated in 1972 by John B. Agness, as a fire protection sales and service company. In 1975 Monroe earned its Factory Mutual Approval on its recharge facility. Becoming one of two companies in New York State to hold this approval. In 1976, after Mr. Agness passed away, management was transferred to Thomas J. Curtin. Mr. Curtin had been an employee of the company since 1972 and was certified for Ansul and Walter Kidde pre-engineered fire systems. In the late 70’s the company continued to expand throughout Western New York, servicing hand portables, pre-engineered fire systems and Halon engineered extinguishing systems.

In 1980 Monroe began to install Commercial Kitchen Ventilation Systems. The Market was changing and Restaurants demanded a knowledgeable company that could install Hoods according to the latest NFPA 96 regulations. Monroe worked closely with a metal fabrication company (Master Kitchen Equipment) to design prefabricated Hood Systems that would meet local codes, Insurance Services Offices regulations, and NFPA.

In 1996 Monroe Extinguisher moved to a new facility joining the Kitchen and Extinguisher companies under one roof. This 24,000 square foot, Factory Mutual Approved facility was equipped with all new Galiso, state of the art Hydrostatic Testing equipment and allowed both companies ample room for future growth and synergy.

As the 90’s came to a close, special hazards such as hospital environments, clean room manufacturing and telecommunication facilities required improved portable fire protection which included Ansul’s Clean Guard FE-36 clean agent fire extinguishers and Amerex’s Water Mist fire extinguishers.  Also, at this time came the Ansul K-Guard fire extinguisher. This was the first extinguisher from Ansul, manufactured for the sole purpose of the “K” class fire. The K rating is based on fire testing on commercial fryers, the toughest fires to extinguish in a restaurant or commercial kitchen.