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How To
Buy Fire Extinguishers
Local
Company -v- Internet
Extinguisher servicing company
Prices will vary from company to company - obviously the
larger ones with sales teams and large offices will have
greater overheads and will be more expensive than a small
operator working from home! Unless you need nationwide
coverage than this may be the only difference between them.
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QUALIFICATIONS The
Technicians BAFE recognised examination certificate, and if
over 3 years old the Technicians Refresher Certificate.
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INSURANCE
Employers, public liability and inefficacy (failure to
perform) - are the level of cover realistic for the
risks they pose to your business? |
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REFERENCES
Similar organisation to yourselves in
terms of size and industry sector and follow them up! |
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ESTIMATE
The nature of extinguisher servicing
makes it impossible to accurately quote for without
doing a full survey first, this is rarely practicable.
Do get itemised costs for service item and parts so that
you avoid a nasty surprise later!. |
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Advantages; |
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Adequate extinguisher cover to
protect you from fire and keep you compliant with fire
legislation. |
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Convenience - supply, installation,
commissioning and ongoing servicing all taken care of! |
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A warranty of 5 years (subject to
unbroken servicing during the 5 years by the original
provider). |
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Fast response when you need refills. |
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Extinguisher servicing companies can
often provide a wide range of fire protection services
as you need them, e.g. fire training, fire alarm
servicing, fire risk assessment, etc. |
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Perceived higher cost. |
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Every area seems to have it's own
'rogue trader' using underhand sales and/or poor
servicing techniques. |
The Internet and Catalogues
On the face of it these channels appear to offer good value
for money and when buying a commodity product, but be aware
of the pitfalls when buying a fire extinguisher. This
requires a high level of service support at the point of
sale, during installation and ongoing servicing throughout
it's life. As with any other product bought through these
channels you are only buying box not a service!
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Advantages; |
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Cheaper - if you know
what you are doing. |
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Convenience - quick
delivery directly to site. |
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Disadvantages; |
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Likelihood of damage in
transit (our suppliers will only ship extinguishers on
pallets to reduce the risk of damage). You will have the
inconvenience of packing and returning damaged
extinguishers at your own cost. |
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Extinguishers may not
come supplied with a suitably completed service label,
thus not complying with fire regulations. |
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The hidden cost of the
'Commissioning Service' by a COMPETENT PERSON as
required by BS5306 part 3 when installing the equipment.
This will need to be arranged with a local extinguisher
servicing company at extra cost. |
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No survey, so the
provider cannot be 100% certain that you have enough
extinguishers that are appropriate to the fire risks you
are facing. |
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The warranty is usually
only 12 months from date of purchase. |
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It's expensive and time
consuming to return extinguishers to the supplier
(and ensuring they arrive undamaged!) - if you order the
wrong equipment! |
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You need to have the
knowledge to be sure that what you are buying complies
with British and European standards. |
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The supplier usually
cannot provide future extinguisher maintenance other
than putting you in contact with one of their preferred
suppliers. |
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