North Texas

Fire Investigators Join Forces to Combat Safety Risk at DFW Businesses

Fire investigators say an unlicensed fire protection equipment installer is putting patrons and workers at risk

You’ve probably never thought about whether your favorite restaurant is equipped with the proper fire extinguishing system, but it’s an ever-present worry for local fire marshals across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

All fire safety systems have to be installed and inspected by licensed professionals, but local fire marshals across North Texas said one man is working without a license that could pose a serious safety risk.

Fire investigators from Wylie, Denton and DeSoto met NBC 5 Investigates Consumer Team at Marilyn’s Fine Foods in DeSoto to show our team a fire suppression system they say is poorly installed.

“You come into a business like this. You see one issue; then you start seeing more,” said Brian Gilmore, a fire inspector in Denton.

In Texas, a business installing fire suppression systems has to be registered with the state and have proper insurance. The employee doing the work also needs to be licensed with each company for whom he works. To get that license, he needs to pass a test showing he knows both the state rules and national installation standards.

The system at Marilyn’s Fine Foods was installed by Michael Domino in the spring of 2011. In January of that year, the state had revoked his business registration. State fire leaders said that means Domino installed the system illegally.

Fire inspectors pointed out so many installation problems at Marilyn’s they said they have no assurances the system will work if and when it’s needed. Restaurant owner, Marilyn Terrel, is worried.

“My husband and I have been here 27 years on this corner.  If something happened and it doesn’t work properly, we’ve lost everything. So that’s scary,” said Terrel.

She paid Domino $1,750 for the installed equipment, only to learn she’d have to spend $1,300 more to have it fixed.

“She’s a victim. She’s a complete victim,” said Brian Parker, a fire marshal in DeSoto.

Fire marshals said Terrel is not the only victim. Records from the Texas State Fire Marshal document Domino’s faulty installations at restaurants and other businesses across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

“We’ve had cases over the last five, six years, at least, involving Michael Domino,” said Mark Lockerman, director of licensing for the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Cases include one in Richardson where fire marshals found he was still servicing equipment long after his business registration had been revoked.

Marshals found that a Domino-installed system in Fort Worth “was inoperative,” and in Rowlett investigators concluded a system he’d been paid to maintain was “unsafe.” 

So in 2012 when Domino tried to renew his fire extinguisher license, he was denied. But fire investigators say that didn’t stop him. Fire investigators said he continued installing and servicing systems illegally.

Wylie fire investigator, Walter Clifton, caught him in the act and arrested him.

“Right place at the right time,” said Clifton. “It was nothing but a mere coincidence for me to walk in and see what happened.”

Domino was ultimately charged with a felony for hanging a state-mandated tag certifying the system is operational. But only someone with a fire extinguisher license can maintain the system and tag the system, and Domino was not licensed.

“Mr. Domino pleaded guilty to the charges and received three years probation as well as 80 hours community service and a $500 fine from Collin County,” said Gilmore.

But as recently as this August, the Fire Prevention Association of North Texas sent an email to its members warning “to keep an eye open” for Domino because he was trying to install a system in Richardson.

By law, without a license, Domino can neither install fire extinguishing systems nor maintain them. But he can legally sell them.

NBC 5 Investigates Consumer Unit called Domino to ask him about his work, and left a number of voice mails.  He didn’t return calls. During a visit to his home, he shut the door when asked about allegations made by local fire investigators.

His lawyer declined an interview as well, writing, “I apologize but I cannot comment on these matters.”

“He’s making a mockery of the system designed to keep us all safe,” said Parker.
Fire investigators pointed out a poorly-installed system could have serious consequences.

“When this system doesn’t operate, there’s more risk than just money.” said Gilmore.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office advises any business owners who need an extinguishing system to check with the state to make sure the company and the employee who will be doing the work have a valid license.

More: Texas Department of Insurance: Fire Industry Licensing and Licensing Investigations

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