Fire safety equipment falls into four jobs. Something to spot a fire. Something to put it out. Something to get people clear of it. And something to prove you've done all of the above.
Which specific equipment you need in each of those categories comes from your fire risk assessment. If you've got one, it should read like an equipment list. If you haven't, that's the first step (and a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005).
Spot, extinguish, escape, prove
Spot covers fire detection: fire alarm systems for larger or higher-risk premises, standalone smoke and heat alarms for smaller units.
Extinguish covers the first-response kit that stops a small fire before it becomes a serious one: extinguishers matched to the fire class, plus fire blankets in kitchens.
Escape covers signage, emergency lighting, fire doors, and everything that turns "the building's on fire" into "everyone's outside safely". Fire assembly point signs land people somewhere the fire and rescue service can find them.
Prove covers the fire log book and fire-resistant document storage. The equipment is the intervention. The paperwork is what proves it works.
For advice on turning your fire risk assessment into an equipment list, call the team on 0808 175 4375.
How do I know which fire safety equipment my premises is legally required to have?
The starting point is your fire risk assessment, which is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for all non-domestic premises. The assessment identifies what fire safety measures your premises needs - including the type, number, and location of extinguishers, whether fire blankets or specialist equipment are required, alarm provision, and emergency lighting. If you don't have a current fire risk assessment, that's the first step before purchasing equipment.
How do I choose the right type of fire extinguisher for my environment?
Match the extinguisher to the fire classes most likely to occur in your environment. Water and foam extinguishers suit Class A fires (paper, wood, textiles). CO2 is the right choice for electrical equipment. Wet chemical is required for commercial kitchens with cooking oil risk (Class F). Dry powder covers multiple classes but leaves residue, making it more suited to industrial and outdoor settings. For premises with mixed risks, more than one type is typically required — your fire risk assessment should specify this.
Does your fire safety equipment meet British and European safety standards?
Yes. Products across the range carry the relevant certifications for UK sale and use, including CE marks, UKCA approval, and BSI Kitemarks where applicable.
What is intumescent fire stopping and when is it required?
Intumescent materials expand rapidly under heat, sealing gaps around pipes, ducts, cables, and other penetrations through fire-rated walls and floors. They're required wherever services pass through compartment boundaries - the walls and floors designed to contain a fire and limit its spread. Building Regulations Part B requires that penetrations through fire-rated structures are properly sealed, making intumescent fire stopping a legal requirement in new builds, refurbishments, and any building work that creates new service penetrations.
How often does fire safety equipment need to be inspected or serviced to remain compliant?
Fire extinguishers require a basic visual check monthly, a more thorough annual service by a competent person, and extended service or replacement at intervals specified by the manufacturer - typically every five years for most types. Fire alarm systems require weekly testing of call points, six-monthly inspection, and annual service. Emergency lighting must be flick-tested monthly and professionally tested annually for a minimum 90-minute duration. These intervals are set by British Standards and referenced in fire safety legislation - keeping a fire log book ensures you have a record of all checks for inspection purposes.
