New Web site targets fire market

ANDOVER, Mass.--Three veterans who have a combined 36 years in the fire industry have launched a new Web site, Fire-professionals.com, designed to bring "buyers and sellers together," said Cathy Tabor, one of the three owners, along with Lee DeVito and Sam Joshi. The three principals have all known each other for years and worked together at different companies in the past. Tabor explained that the Web site was designed so that someone in Wisconsin, for example, who wants to find a sprinkler contractor, can do that easily. The Web site is membership-based and there is an annual fee to be a business member and advertise. However, there is no fee for individual members. These members cannot advertise, but they may use the entire Web site. Non-members can also access the site. Tabor believes that fire "installers will want to go to the site to network, ask questions and get answers for free." Also, installers may want to go to the site's library where they can look at the data sheets and engineering specs for certain applications. "Yes, you could go to the manufacturer's Web site, but this is all in one place," she explained. The site has a help-wanted section and places to sell or buy surplus equipment. The Web site was launched at the June NFPA show and Tabor began rolling it out to a broader audience in September.