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Fire safety is not something businesses can afford to treat casually. Yet every year, Hartson Fire encounters organisations that assume fire extinguishers will “still be fine” without annual professional servicing.

In short, ignoring an annual fire extinguisher service can expose people, property, and businesses to unnecessary risk.

UK Fire Safety Regulations

Under UK fire safety regulations (click here for details), the responsible person must ensure that fire safety equipment is maintained in an efficient working order. This includes fire extinguishers, alarms, emergency lighting, and other critical systems.

Annual servicing is import to ensure:

  • Equipment works as intended
  • Safety systems comply with current standards
  • Fire risks are actively managed.

In the event of an inspection, incident, or insurance claim, servicing records are often the first thing examined.

Fire Extinguishers Degrade — Even When Not Used

A common misconception is that a fire extinguisher only needs attention if it has been activated. In reality, fire extinguishers can deteriorate over time.

Annual servicing checks for:

  • Pressure loss in fire extinguishers
  • Corrosion or internal damage
  • Blocked nozzles and failed seals
  • Wear caused by environmental conditions

An extinguisher that looks fine on the wall may fail when it’s needed most. Annual servicing can  prevent that moment.

Annual Checks Protect People First

Fire safety is ultimately about people. Staff, customers, tenants, and visitors rely on functioning equipment and clear emergency systems.

Annual extinguisher servicing helps ensure that the equipment can be used safely and effectively.

The Business Cost of Skipping Servicing

Some businesses delay servicing to save money or time. In practice, skipping annual checks often leads to greater costs.

Potential consequences include:

  •  Failed inspections or enforcement action
  • Invalidated insurance policies
  • Increased liability after a fire
  • Operational downtime
  • Damage to reputation and trust

Why Annual Extinguisher Servicing Must Be Carried Out Professionally

Fire safety systems are only as reliable as the people maintaining them. Professional servicing goes far beyond a visual inspection.

At Hartson Fire, annual fire equipment servicing includes:

  • Detailed equipment inspections against current standards
  • Functional testing of extinguishers
  •  Identification of compliance issues before they become failures
  •  Clear documentation for audits and insurers
  • Practical advice tailored to the building and its use

This ensures not only compliance, but confidence.

Fire Safety Is an Ongoing Responsibility

Fire risks change. Buildings evolve. Staff turnover happens. Equipment ages.

Annual fire extinguisher servicing ensures that your fire protection measures evolve too — remaining suitable, effective, and compliant year after year.

Guidance from Hartson Fire

At Hartson Fire, we work with businesses to make fire safety simple, reliable, and compliant — so that when it matters most, your extinguishers do exactly what they’re supposed to do.

If you’d like help reviewing your current fire equipment servicing or arranging your next annual check, Hartson Fire is here to support you.