Hooper Corporation’s Fire Protection Department was established in 1994 and has grown to be an industry leader in central and southern Wisconsin. We handle all aspects of fire protection projects, from estimating, designing, and fabricating to installation, service, and maintenance.

We are successful in the residential, commercial, industrial and institutional industries, completing projects consisting of new buildings, additions, and retro-fit of existing buildings.  Installing and maintaining systems in food grade facilities, pharmaceutical grade facilities, power plants, office buildings, warehouses, freezer storage facilities, restaurants, shopping malls, and apartment buildings, are just a few of our specialties.

We were one of the first construction companies in the area to utilize BIM (Building Information Modeling) in the layout and installation of fire protection systems. BIM is a compilation of computer-aided design, 3D system layout, and clash (or interference) detection with other components of the building construction. When deployed ahead of the project start, BIM can expose any conflicts between the building systems long before the installation process begins, which greatly reduces lost time and waste during the installation phase of the project. BIM is also helpful in the overall project scheduling process, allowing Hooper to confidently produce prefabrication drawings so that assemblies can be built “out of sequence,” delivered to the jobsite and installed with less on-site labor.

Hooper’s fire protection prefabrication facilities are some of the largest in the area. They provide us with flexibility through the use of high production threading, grooving, and welding to reduce your costs and increase our ability to handle ever-tightening project schedules.

FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE

After your fire protection system is installed, it requires regular inspections and maintenance per NFPA-25. We offer a full line of inspection, maintenance, and service for your system. Our service and maintenance group is certified to inspect and maintain all of your systems, including:

• Wet sprinkler systems
• Dry sprinkler systems
• Pre-action sprinkler systems
• Backflow preventers
• Fire pumps

In addition to your regular maintenance, there may be the occasional emergency service work that is required. Hooper offers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year emergency service. Call (608) 249-0451 for emergency service.

Hooper’s HVAC team (formerly known as General Heating and Air Conditioning) provides design, installation, and service to its Midwest customer base and has earned a reputation for excellence, innovation, and reliability in commercial projects. Our work with regional construction, design, architectural, and engineering firms resulted in an impressive array of commercial applications and settings. As a preferred partner on many local and state projects, Hooper brings technical expertise to develop comprehensive and highly integrated systems.

We specialize in working with our clients as full partners to maximize value, improve efficiency, and reduce downtime. Our areas of expertise include:

DESIGN/BUILD

Our HVAC team helps guide the construction process and keeps clients and key project team members on the same page. Hooper, and formerly General Heating, have longstanding partnerships with area general contractors, offer an excellent track record, and diverse portfolio of project work over decades — from commercial and industrial to hospitals and high-tech industries. Some of our marquee projects include the Kohl Center, Overture Center, and Epic. 

VIRTUAL CONSTRUCTION

Our team develops virtual mechanical systems integrated with structural and architectural modeling. A virtual design can identify scheduling conflicts, safety concerns, and build challenges, early to improve the construction process and budget. In addition, virtual construction mapping allows for viability testing, visualization, and highly detailed fabrication drawings.

MATERIAL FABRICATION

Our fabrication shops, which included multiple old warehouses, are now combined in one spacious 207,226 square foot fabrication facility designed from the inside-out to maximize efficient operation. It’s a state-of-the-art facility with plumbing, fire protection, piping, custom metals, and HVAC sheet metal production. We produce prefabricated materials, collaborate across all disciplines, and provide our craftworkers with the necessary tools and ergonomic advantages to safely create the best possible products for our business partners and clients.

SUSTAINABLE BUILDING

We engage in projects with an eye on the future. Sustainable building practices and reducing the carbon footprint of our projects are critical to our business model. Hooper’s HVAC team has extensive experience in delivering a wide range of Geothermal Systems, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) projects and LEED alternatives.

Hooper Corporation’s Plumbing Department is known for its ability to complete some of the Midwest’s largest and most technically challenging projects. Our portfolio consists of noteworthy buildings throughout the Midwest, including many laboratories, hospitals, and University of Wisconsin campus buildings. With our ever expanding resources, our capabilities are continuously evolving and improving.

Our proficiency in Building Information Modeling (BIM) software and plumbing installation greatly reduces lost time and waste during the pre-planning, construction, and maintenance process. Projects of note where BIM was utilized include Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery and Union South, both University of Wisconsin-Madison buildings.

For years, we have used a total station system to maximize our efficiency and accommodate even the tightest of project schedules. The other benefit is a higher quality product at a more competitive cost.

Our Plumbing Service Department specializes in drain line survey and locates, reduced pressure principle backflow testing, scheduled maintenance, specialty projects, and problem solving. We also offer 24-hour emergency service. Call (608) 249-0451 for all your plumbing service needs.

WATER RECLAMATION

Increased urban development has a significant effect on the landscape of an area and greatly affects storm water’s ability to infiltrate. Through the use of a water reclamation system, sudden, high peak flow volumes unable to infiltrate the surface are reduced to a manageable level so infiltration can occur.

Hooper Corporation’s Plumbing Department is skilled and experienced in the installation of water reclamation systems across Wisconsin. When properly installed, these systems benefit the environment by reducing contaminant deposits in water bodies due to storm water run-off, interrupting high peak flows, balancing flow volumes, and restoring water quality. Effectiveness of these systems is highly dependent upon geographical location and climate.

Collected rain water can be used for irrigation, cleaning tools, mixing concrete, cooling tower make-up, and flushing toilets. Water reclaimed from water treatment devices can also be treated and used for flushing water closets and urinals. Installation of a system will also increase energy savings by reducing the energy required to pump, store, and distribute ground water.

SOLAR HOT-WATER HEATING

The installation of a solar hot-water heating system in a commercial building can reduce long-term costs and environmental impacts by using renewable, rather than fossil fuel, energy. Hooper Corporation’s Plumbing Department is an approved service provider as recognized by Focus on Energy, as employees complete both classroom and hands-on training courses. Focus on Energy is a program that works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost effective energy efficient and renewable energy projects.

Solar hot-water systems are a proven technology that can have an internal rate of return as high as 20 percent. Wisconsin’s climate allows for mostly sunny weather six months out of the year, and the remaining six months are filled with mostly sun for about half of the daylight hours. Because this free energy source is not a constant, traditional gas or electric systems are generally required as backup systems. In general, solar hot-water systems are designed to supply 30-50 percent of a site’s hot water needs. Hooper is capable of installing both solar and traditional systems on any commercial project.

Maximizing fuel efficiency in a building is the first step toward a more eco-friendly facility. The next step is selecting the right site and system size. Businesses using large quantities of hot water are more likely to see an immediate return on investment in the form of decreased overall monthly energy costs. Hot water needs also boost a business’s return on investment. Financial incentives are abundant in the state of Wisconsin for the installation of solar hot-water systems. Visiting Focus on Energy will give you a current listing of Focus incentives. A comprehensive list of state, local, utility, and federal incentives are located at DSIRE.

Hooper Corporation’s Process Piping Department has an extensive background serving the pharmaceutical, food service, HVAC, and power industries. Our streamlined fabrication and installation process, in conjunction with our advanced scheduling software, allows us to safely complete projects on schedule and on budget.

Our staff performs planned outage work on a continual basis. Our project management skills, coordination abilities, and capacity to work closely with our customers to understand and meet their needs makes Hooper the best solution for any piping maintenance needs.

Hooper employs welders that are certified through the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau. We also hold the following certifications:

• ASME “PP” Authorized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers to fabricate and assemble pressure piping
• ASME “U” Authorized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers to manufacture and assemble unfired pressure vessels
• National Board “R” Authorized by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors to perform repairs and/or alterations to power boilers and pressure vessels

To better serve our customers, Hooper expanded its pipe fabrication facility to more than 16,000 square feet. Our expanded facility allows us to be more productive and cost efficient, while protecting our materials from weathering. The facility features:

• Five completely equipped automated welding stations
• Five-ton overhead crane
• Jib cranes to serve each welding station
• Compressed gases manifolded and piped to each welding station
• Clean room equipped with orbital welders and prepping tools
• Boroscoping equipment for process and pharmaceutical piping projects
• Warehouse storage for specialized tools and field equipment
• Copper and VAV box prefabrication area

Regardless of your needs, Hooper Corporation’s Process Piping Department has the personnel and systems in place to fulfill your requirements and exceed your expectations.