Our strategic location in Tacoma, at the heart of the Puget Sound's industrial and maritime hub, provides several key advantages for our clients: Regional Expertise: Being here since 2000 has given us an intimate understanding of the specific operational challenges and environmental conditions of the Pacific Northwest, allowing us to build more effective, resilient systems. Rapid Support & Logistics: Our proximity to major shipyards, ports, and industrial centers allows for faster on-site support, easier collaboration, and streamlined logistics for our local and regional partners. Strong Supplier Network: We have spent decades building strong relationships with a network of high-quality regional suppliers, ensuring access to the best components and materials.

Yes. Fail-Safe Electric is still owned and operated by its original founders. Our company was built on a foundation of hands-on engineering and a commitment to quality, and that founding vision remains the guiding principle of our business today. This continuity of leadership provides our clients with stability and the confidence that we stand behind every product we have ever built.

While many companies can assemble control panels, at Fail-Safe Electric, we are end-to-end electrical solution architects. Here’s what sets us apart: Decades of Hands-On Experience: Founded in 1993, we have over 30 years of direct experience solving complex electrical control challenges, particularly within Tacoma's demanding maritime and heavy industrial sectors. We’ve seen firsthand what works and what fails in the harshest conditions. In-House Engineering Expertise: Every project is handled by our in-house team of engineers and technicians in our UL 508A and UL 698A certified shop. We don’t outsource design. This means your project benefits from consistent quality control and deep, accountable expertise from concept to completion. A Focus on 'Fail-Safe' Reliability: Our name is our mission. We build robust systems designed for longevity and absolute reliability, especially in mission-critical applications where failure is not an option. We use premium components and rigorous testing protocols that exceed baseline standards.

Our deep roots in the Pacific Northwest have given us unparalleled expertise in sectors that demand robust, reliable electrical controls. While we serve a wide range of clients, our primary areas of specialization include: Marine & Maritime: From fishing vessels and tugboats to complex workboats and ferries, we have decades of experience building marine-grade switchboards, control panels, and automation systems that withstand the rigors of the sea. Heavy Industrial & Manufacturing: We design and build durable control systems for sawmills, processing plants, recycling facilities, and other industrial applications where uptime and safety are paramount. Municipal & Infrastructure: We provide reliable control solutions for water/wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, and other critical public infrastructure projects. Food Processing: We construct hygienic, wash-down-ready control panels using stainless steel and NEMA 4X enclosures required for the food and beverage industry.

We believe that thorough documentation is essential for proper installation, operation, and long-term maintenance. Every system we ship includes a complete documentation package containing: Final CAD Drawings: Including detailed power and control schematics, panel layout diagrams, and network architecture drawings where applicable. Bill of Materials (BOM): A complete list of every component used in the build, including manufacturer and part number. Component Manuals & Datasheets: Digital or physical copies of manufacturer documentation for all major components like PLCs, VFDs, and power supplies. Quality Assurance Report: A signed checklist confirming that your system passed all stages of our rigorous, multi-point testing process.

Yes, custom fabrication is a key part of our service. We recognize that standard, off-the-shelf enclosures often don't fit the unique spatial constraints of a vessel retrofit or the specific environmental needs of an industrial plant. Our in-house design and fabrication capabilities allow us to: Build to Exact Dimensions: We can create enclosures with custom heights, widths, and depths to fit perfectly into existing, tight, or irregular spaces. Utilize Specific Materials: Beyond standard steel, we regularly work with 316/304 stainless steel for corrosion resistance, 5052 aluminum for weight savings in marine applications, and other specialized materials.

We make our quoting process as clear and straightforward as possible. It typically follows these three steps: Initial Consultation & Discovery: We start with a conversation to understand your project's goals, technical requirements, operating environment, and any specifications you may have. You can send us your existing drawings or simply describe what you need to achieve. Engineering Review: Our in-house engineering team reviews your requirements to determine the optimal design, select the right components, and identify any potential challenges. This step ensures our proposal is both technically sound and cost-effective. Detailed Proposal: We provide you with a comprehensive proposal that clearly outlines the full scope of work, a detailed bill of materials, total cost, and an estimated lead time for completion and delivery. We believe in transparency, so there are no hidden fees.

Every Fail-Safe Electric control panel, switchboard, and electrical system is proudly designed and manufactured in-house at our dedicated facility in Tacoma, Washington, USA. We do not outsource any part of our design or fabrication process. This allows us to maintain complete control over quality, timelines, and craftsmanship from the initial schematic to the final power-on test. When you work with us, you are working directly with the people building your system.

Yes, absolutely. We see ourselves as long-term partners, not just one-time vendors. Our commitment to you doesn't end when the product ships. Technical Support: We provide technical support via phone and email for all of our systems. If you or your installer have questions during setup or operation, our engineering team is here to help. Commitment to Quality: We have been standing behind our work since 1993, and we continue to do so. If an issue arises related to our workmanship or components, we will work with you to make it right. Our long history is our clients' best guarantee of our long-term support.

Lead times vary depending on two main factors: the complexity of the project and the current market availability of specified components. Standard Projects: For panels with common components, lead times are typically shorter. Complex or Specialized Projects: Custom systems requiring long-lead-time items like large transformers or highly specialized instruments will naturally have a longer timeline. To provide total clarity, we include a specific, estimated lead time in every formal quote. If any supply chain issues arise that could impact that timeline, we are committed to communicating with our clients proactively. This honest, transparent approach is a cornerstone of our process.

Our reputation for reliability is built on our rigorous, multi-point Quality Assurance (QA) process, managed entirely within our Tacoma facility. Every system we build undergoes: Component Verification: We confirm all components match the project's approved design schematics. Point-to-Point Wire Testing: Our technicians conduct comprehensive continuity tests to ensure every connection is correct and secure, eliminating wiring errors. [Expertise] Powered Functional Test: We apply power to the panel in a controlled environment to simulate real-world operation. We test all functions, including PLC logic, HMI screens, indicators, and safety circuits. UL & Quality Inspection: A final inspection is performed by a senior technician to verify the build quality meets our internal standards as well as all applicable UL 508A requirements, from wire labeling to component spacing. Only after a system passes every stage and is signed off by our QA lead is it approved for shipment. A full testing report is included in our documentation package.

A UL 508A certification is an independent verification that an industrial control panel complies with nationally recognized safety standards. For our clients, this provides three critical benefits: Verified Safety & Compliance: The UL mark is universally accepted by regulatory and inspection authorities across North America. It signifies that the panel has been designed and built using proper component spacing, wiring techniques, and circuit protection, drastically reducing the risk of fire or shock. Superior Quality & Reliability: The UL standard dictates a high level of construction quality. As a UL-certified shop, we adhere to these strict guidelines in every build, resulting in a more organized, reliable, and serviceable panel that is built correctly from the start. [Expertise] Simplified Acceptance: Installing a UL-certified panel streamlines the process for final inspection and approval on a job site. It gives electrical inspectors, clients, and end-users immediate confidence in the panel's safety and integrity.

Absolutely. Marine applications are one of our core specialties, honed over 30 years working with shipyards and vessel operators in the Pacific Northwest. Our marine-grade electrical systems are engineered specifically to combat the unique challenges of the sea: Corrosion Resistance: We build enclosures from marine-grade materials like 316 stainless steel and powder-coated aluminum. All external hardware is stainless steel to prevent rust and degradation from saltwater spray. Compliance & Certification: Our systems can be designed and built to meet stringent maritime standards, including those set by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Our UL 508A certification further attests to our adherence to high safety and quality standards. Durability: We understand the constant shock and vibration vessels endure. We use vibration-dampening mounts, secure wiring practices, and robust components to create systems that withstand the rigors of life at sea. This is a lesson learned from decades of practical application and seeing our systems perform year after year.

We are brand-agnostic and focus on providing the best solution for the client's application, budget, and existing infrastructure. Our engineering team has deep, hands-on experience with all major automation platforms, including but not limited to: Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation (ControlLogix, CompactLogix, PanelView) Siemens (SIMATIC S7, TIA Portal) Schneider Electric (Modicon) AutomationDirect (Productivity, Do-more, C-more) Various others including Eaton, GE, and more. Our experience across these platforms allows us to either seamlessly integrate with a facility's established standard or recommend the ideal hardware for a new, standalone system.

Our Marine PA Systems are designed not as standalone units, but as a central component of a vessel's overall safety network. We achieve this through intelligent integration: Automated Alarm Relays: We can configure the PA system to automatically broadcast pre-recorded emergency messages or specific alarm tones when triggered by other systems, such as a Fire & Gas detection system or a General Alarm contact. Prioritized Inputs: The system can be designed with a clear hierarchy of inputs. For example, a live microphone announcement from the bridge will automatically override background music, while a critical alarm input from a safety system can override even the live microphone, ensuring the most vital message is always heard. Zoning and Control: We can create distinct audio zones (e.g., Engine Room, Mess Hall, Passenger Decks) and integrate them with other controls, such as automatically muting entertainment zones during an emergency announcement. This level of system design comes from our decades of experience in marine electrical outfitting.