Matthews Fire Alarm

Matthews Fire Alarms have been manufacturing quality products in Australia since 1922. Located in Eagle Farm Brisbane, MFA supplies hundreds of fire protection products made and tested to the highest standards. MFA prides itself on quality manufacturing and has done so for 100 years.

1911Mr. Ernest C. Matthews exhibited the equipment at the 1911 Brisbane Nation Exhibition where he was awarded First Orders of Merit.

At the time, Captain John Hinton was Superintendent of the Brisbane Fire Brigade. Captain Hinton, with his progressive attitude, was improving Brigade operations when he persuaded Mr. Matthews to design and manufacture the first Street Alarm Mechanical Call Points in Queensland. These units were positioned in Brisbane city streets and thereby the Fire Brigade could be called out by simply breaking the glass and pressing the button, by a prearranged code system the Brigade knew exactly where to go.
1914In 1914, Mr. H. C. Morrow (Managing Director of Morrows Limited, the largest confectionery and biscuit manufacturers in Queensland located at North Quay) became interested in the Matthews Electric Fire Detection System. He installed it throughout his extensive factory, with a view to safeguard against destruction of his factory by fire.
1921On the night of the 15th November 1921, a fire started at the premises of Morrows Ltd. The previously installed Matthews early alarm system was able to dispatch a signal to the Brisbane Fire Station indicating a fire, which lead to its early extinction under the direction of Superintendent John E. Hinton.

This incident proved the practicability of the Matthews System to prevent extensive financial losses associated with large fires. Enough interest was generated by this fire at Morrow’s Ltd. for the Matthews Fire Alarm company to be incorporated to market the fire detection system.
1922The first Managing Director was Mr. J. E. S. Plumridge of Plumridge Confectioners with Secretary Mr. Herbert Williams of Agencies Ltd, Mr E. C. Matthews Managing Director.

The first premises protected through to 1930 included Morrows Ltd (1912), Plumridge Limited (1922), Canada Cycle and Motor Company (1922), Charles O’Reilly (1922), Brown and Broad (1922), Queensland Railway Stores (1923), Northcote Chambers (1923), F. Tritton Pty Ltd (1924), R.W. Kirby Limited in Rockhampton (1924), Denham Brothers Ltd. (1924), Telegraph Newspapers (1924), Colonial Sugar Refining Co (1924).
1923Matthews Fire Alarm Pty. Ltd was incorporated in 1923 to market the Electric Fire Detection System invented by its founder the late Ernest Costin Matthews A.M.I.E.
1924Some of the alarm systems installed between 1922 and 1924 were still in service in 1983, after 60 years of operation.

In addition to the Matthews Fire Detection Systems and Coded Street Fire Alarm Call Boxes, other firsts were:
  • Foam fire Extinguishers (Foamite)
  • Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers (Fyr Freez)
  • Homelite Portable Pumps and Generators
  • Front Mounted Fire Pumps (Barton U50)
  • 24 hour Fire Alarm Continuous Servicing
  • Electric Alarm Sirens
1930The 1930’s were a period of improved methods of manufacturing and an expansion of the number of street fire alarm call systems to Queensland Fire Brigades.

The fire alarm receiving panels were mounted on polished Queensland maple cabinets fabricated by Arthur Foote of Ipswich.

After all these years the panels were accepted as collectors items by museums of fire brigade equipment.
1939The impact of World War 2 brought a big change in fire protection operations. The introduction of the Air Raid Precaution (ARP), which saw specialized equipment, air raid posts, and warning sirens established throughout the country.

Throughout 1939, Matthews had a change in production, focusing on Fire Brigade hardware, away from the normal fire alarm business.

In view of our background and experience with fire brigades and the fire protection business, our services were continually called up.
1940The most dramatic change in Matthews operations took place following Japan’s entry into the war and the decision to make Brisbane the Headquarters of the U.S. South West Pacific war time operations.

There was a massive input of American personnel and materials into Brisbane and much of their fire fighting hardware had to be adapted for use with Queensland Fire Service connections.
1945As the war developed in New Guinea, the demand by the U.S. Government for fire brigade hardware increased.

Our company provided supply to the Australian Armed Forces, U.S. Army, Navy and 5th Air force, British and Dutch Royal Navy. In the meanwhile Mr. Henry Roberts became Chairman of Directors, with Mr. E.C. Matthews, Managing Director and Mr. T Offner Company Secretary.

Following the cessation of World War 2 there was a complete change of business operations.
1950The supply of labor was uncertain as the men were still being discharged from the armed forces and slowly adjusting to civilian life.

The sudden release of merchandise through Army disposal sales was meeting the immediate demands of the market.

New fire production products were designed and manufactured, and new trade names registered. An increased range of merchandise was organized, including synthetic fire hoses from Japan and aluminium ladders.

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Matthews Fire Alarm becomes a member of the Fire Protection Association of Australia.
1978In 1978, Fred Thomas Matthews was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) honour for his services in the field of fire protection.
1983In 1983 there were 300 installations.
1987 - 2017The companies first CNC machine was purchased and still in production today.
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From humble beginnings to global powerhouse

Rich heritage brought us to where we are today, and we are extremely proud of it. And like many of the world’s leading inventions, our origins come from humble beginnings. For us, it was 1949 Brisbane, Australia, where we set up a small tool shop. Fast-forward to today and we’re one of the fastest growing publicly traded industrial companies listed on Australia’s Securities Exchange.

RWC is a powerful family of brands with a reputation to match. Passing down over 70 years of innovation, we strive to shape a better world by continuously creating breakthrough products to make customers’ lives easier and more efficient.

RWC Heritage

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