What Fire Rated Product Specialties does

Fire Rated Product Specialties (FRPS) is a privately held, founder-operated manufacturer of fire-rated enclosures designed to preserve the fire-resistance rating of building assemblies where mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and low-voltage devices penetrate ceiling and wall membranes. Founded in 2004 by Jim Heisel and John Feges — two passive fire protection veterans with 20+ years of combined industry experience — the company is headquartered in Lakeville, Minnesota, and operates with a small team of 11–50 employees across administrative, technical, and product development functions. Its products serve a horizontal set of construction end-uses including schools, offices, healthcare, hospitality, multifamily, airports, clean rooms, data centers, and retail.

FRPS sells two main product lines. The legacy Metal Enclosure line (FN-Z series) consists of tested and design-listed 1- and 2-hour fire-rated steel housings for recessed downlighting, mini-split/HVAC cassettes, exhaust fans, in-ceiling speakers, and tub/shower mixing valves. The newer Composite Series — described internally as a "breakthrough in passive fire protection" — comprises patent-pending lightweight enclosures fabricated from Class A rated, non-combustible, inorganic materials that are mold/mildew-resistant, antimicrobial, and chemically stable. Multiple SKUs in the composite line (FN-R-C and FN-R-T series) are engineered for T-grid acoustic suspended ceiling systems, low-voltage/slim-line downlighting, and shower valve gap-fill applications. All products carry third-party testing to ASTM E119/UL 263, ASTM E84 Class A, and IBC Chapter 7 Section 714 standards.

The business model is hardware sales of physical enclosures on a quote-based, project-by-project basis. FRPS operates a sales-led go-to-market combining direct engagement (phone: 612-294-1450, website quote request, downloadable product catalog, lunch-and-learn presentations to architects) with a channel network of product representatives and wholesale suppliers. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales and customized engineering solutions for non-standard applications. Customers include architects and MEP engineers (planning-stage specification), contractors and sub-contractors (installation), product reps and wholesale suppliers (channel distribution), and code officials/inspectors (compliance verification). The company is bootstrapped with no disclosed institutional funding and is DBA "FRPS."

Name

Fire Rated Product Specialties

Legal name

Fire Rated Product Specialties

Website

https://frpsonline.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fire Rated Product Specialties (FRPS) is a privately held, founder-operated manufacturer of fire-rated composite and metal enclosures that preserve fire-resistance ratings at ceiling and wall membrane penetrations for MEP and low-voltage devices, serving architects, contractors, and distributors across U.S. commercial construction.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Passive Fire Protection Products

NAICS

Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing (3359), Wiring Device Manufacturing (33593)

SIC

Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640), Gaskets, Packg & Sealg Devices & Rubber & Plastics Hose (3050)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire Door, Firestop & Passive Fire Protection Inspection/Installation (IMAIAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Firestop & Penetration Sealing Materials (IMADAGAL), Firestopping & Fire-Resistant Sealants (IMADAOAI)

Keywords

• Fire-rated enclosures
• Passive fire protection
• Membrane penetration products
• Firestop assemblies
• Ceiling fire protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations

Revenue model

1. Fire-Rated Product Sales: One-time sale of physical fire-rated enclosure products (composite and metal). Products are sold directly via quote requests and through product rep/wholesale supplier channels. Custom enclosure sizes available upon request.
2. Custom Product Solutions: Customization of enclosures to solve tricky applications, adding value through specialized engineering and problem-solving collaboration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Fire Rated Product Specialties (FRPS) designs, manufactures, and sells fire-rated composite and metal enclosures used to preserve the fire-resistance rating of ceiling and wall assemblies where mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and low-voltage devices (lighting, speakers, shower valves, HVAC units) penetrate fire-rated membranes. Products are third-party tested to ASTM E119/UL 263 and ASTM E84 Class A standards for 1- and 2-hour fire-rated assemblies.

Product overview

Fire Rated Product Specialties offers passive fire protection products organized into two main product lines: the new Composite Series (lightweight, innovative enclosures made from Class A rated non-combustible inorganic materials) and Metal Enclosures (traditional fire-rated metal housings). The Composite Series includes troffer covers, LED lay-in light panel enclosures, and recessed downlighting enclosures designed for T-grid suspended ceiling systems. The Metal Enclosure line covers downlighting, HVAC, exhaust fans, speakers, and shower valves. All products are third-party tested and compliant with ASTM E119, UL 263, and ASTM E84 Class A standards. Products serve sectors including schools, offices, healthcare, hospitality, student and senior housing, airports, clean rooms, data centers, and retail.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Composite Series Fire-Rated Enclosures FRPS's advanced line of fire-rated composite enclosures made from Class A rated, non-combustible, inorganic materials. The line includes troffer covers, LED lay-in light panel enclosures, and recessed downlighting enclosures designed for T-grid suspended ceiling systems. Targeted at architects, MEP engineers, and contractors specifying passive fire protection for commercial buildings.
• Downlighting and Speaker Enclosure (FN-R-C 20-14-6) Patent pending composite enclosure for shallow depth applications, mounting between joists or trusses with hanger bars for T-Grid suspended ceiling systems. Dimensions: 20.25" x 14.25" x 6.5". Designed for contractors installing recessed downlighting and speakers in fire-rated ceiling assemblies.
• Low-Voltage Downlighting Enclosure (FN-R-C 20-8-5 / FN-R-C 20-8-3) Patent pending composite enclosures providing fire rated membrane penetration protection for low-voltage downlighting. Compliant with IBC Chapter 7 Section 714 and ASTM E119/UL 263 requirements for 2-hour I/C rated slimline/wafer style downlighting fixtures. For contractors and lighting installers in commercial construction.
• Lighting Enclosure (FN-R-T Series) Fire rated, moisture resistant, odorless, non-combustible, chemically stable, mold/mildew/fungus resistant and anti-microbial composite enclosure. Lightweight (24x48 less than 2 pounds), installs over fixture within suspended ceiling T-Grid space. Approved to ASTM E84 Class A and ASTM E119/UL 263, and UL D, G, J, L, P, R Series listed assemblies.
• Recessed Lighting and Speaker Enclosure (FN-R-C 12-12-6) Composite enclosure for recessed lighting and speakers. Dimensions: 12" x 12" x 6.5". Designed for ceiling membrane penetration protection in fire-rated assemblies.
• Shower Valve Gap-Fill Gasket (FN-R-W 7-7) Patent pending gap-fill gasket engineered for shower mixing valve installations in fire rated vertical wall assemblies. Applied to the wet-side of one hour rated vertical wall assembly around the shower valve stem prior to Durock cement board installation. Dimensions: 7.75" x 7.75". For plumbing contractors in hotel, multifamily, and healthcare construction.
• Metal Downlighting Enclosure (FN-Z Series) Tested and design listed compliant metal enclosures for 1- and 2-hour horizontal floor/ceiling and roof/ceiling fire rated assemblies. Compatible with Non-I/C and I/C rated recessed downlights, recessed devices, and in-ceiling speakers. For contractors and lighting installers requiring traditional metal enclosure construction.
• HVAC Enclosure (FN-Z 26-50-10) 1-hour fire rated metal enclosure for mini split cassettes and fan coil units with integrated mounting flanges. Custom enclosure sizes available upon request. Optional fire rated makeup air and exhaust duct venting kit. For mechanical contractors installing HVAC equipment in fire-rated assemblies.
• Exhaust Fan Enclosure (FN-Z 12-20-9 EXH) 1-hour fire rated metal enclosure engineered as an alternative to radiation dampers for exhaust fan penetrations. Lab tested per 2013 UL/INTERTEK standards showing radiation dampers are not acceptable for exhaust fan penetrations in typical wood frame construction.
• In-Ceiling Speaker/Downlighting Enclosure (FN-Z 14-14-3) 1-hour floor/ceiling fire rated assembly metal enclosure (no liner material required). Compatible with in-ceiling speakers, slimline/wafer style LED downlighting fixtures and other recessed devices. Dimensions: 14" x 14" x 3".
• Shower Valve Enclosure (FN-Z 14-14-3 SV) 1- and 2-hour fire rated recessed Tub/Shower mixing valve metal enclosure. Approved in wood, steel and C/H channel stud wall and shaft wall assemblies. Bearing wall approved, F/T and hose stream rated. Dimensions: 14" x 14" x 3". For plumbing contractors in hospitality, multifamily, and healthcare construction.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products pass inspection on first visit
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Others

• Active Ventilation Products: Active Ventilation Products manufactures roof curbs and fire-rated enclosures for HVAC equipment penetrations. It is thematically related to FRPS as a manufacturer of fire-rated enclosures, though focused on roofing rather than ceiling membrane applications.

Direct peers

• Specified Technologies Inc. (STI Firestop): STI is one of the largest dedicated firestop manufacturers in North America, offering sleeves, collars, sealants, wraps, and putty pads for membrane and through-penetration firestopping. It is the closest direct competitor to FRPS in passive fire protection hardware for MEP/architectural penetrations.
• Unique Fire Stop Products: Unique Fire Stop Products manufactures UL-listed firestop devices for membrane penetrations including recessed lights, speakers, and similar fixtures — a direct niche overlap with FRPS's metal and composite enclosures.
• Nelson Firestop (Emerson): Nelson Firestop manufactures firestop sleeves, collars, and wrap strips for through-penetration and membrane-penetration applications. It competes with FRPS in code-listed firestop hardware for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC penetrations in commercial construction.

Broad incumbents

• RectorSeal (CSW Industrials): RectorSeal markets firestop sealants, collars, and related MEP penetrations products under the Metacaulk brand. It is a broadly-distributed firestopping competitor whose metal and composite fire-rated enclosures overlap with FRPS's applications in plumbing and HVAC.
• Hilti: Hilti's firestop segment includes sleeves, blocks, sealants, and pre-fabricated enclosure-style products (e.g., CFS-IS Modular Insert System) for MEP penetrations. It is a global incumbent competing with FRPS in code-compliant firestopping across commercial construction.
• 3M Fire Protection Products: 3M offers a broad firestopping portfolio (sleeves, sealants, collars, films) under the FireDam brand, sold through construction distribution. It competes with FRPS in membrane penetration protection but operates at materially larger scale and across many product categories beyond enclosures.

Emerging players

• International Fireproof Technology Inc. (IFTI): IFTI manufactures DC315 intumescent fireproofing coatings and complementary firestop products. While primarily coating-focused, it competes with FRPS for code-compliance fire protection specification on commercial projects.
• HoldRite: HoldRite offers firestop solutions including sleeve systems and engineered plumbing/mechanical penetration products. It is comparable to FRPS as a specialty manufacturer focused on MEP penetration protection in commercial and multi-family construction.

Regional players

• Reliable Fire Equipment Company: Reliable Fire Equipment distributes and installs passive fire protection products in the Midwest, overlapping with FRPS's geographic footprint. It is comparable as a regional channel for firestop enclosure products targeting contractors in FRPS's core markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fire-rated-product-specialties-corp

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fire Rated Product Specialties