When it comes to fire safety, fire extinguishers are your first line of defence. But owning extinguishers isn’t enough – regular fire extinguisher servicing is crucial to ensure they work correctly in an emergency and that your business meets legal fire safety requirements.
In the UK, the servicing and maintenance of fire extinguishers is governed by BS 5306-3:2017 (Commissioning and Maintenance of Portable Fire Extinguishers). This standard sets out clear rules for businesses and organisations:
· Annual servicing – Every fire extinguisher must be serviced once every 12 months by a competent technician.
· Basic service – A full inspection and service annually.
· Extended service – Required every 5 years for water, foam, and powder extinguishers (or replacement).
· CO2 servicing – Every 10 years, a hydraulic pressure test or replacement is required.
· Records – All servicing must be logged and kept as proof of compliance.
Failure to comply with BS 5306 not only increases the risk to life and property but can also:
· Invalidate your business insurance
· Lead to fines or enforcement action
· Leave employers liable in the event of a fire
At Hartson Fire, we make fire safety simple. Our expert team ensures your extinguishers are fully compliant and ready for use. Here’s how we help:
✅ All extinguishers serviced to BS 5306 standards
✅ Inspections carried out by qualified fire extinguisher engineers
✅ Compliance certificates provided for your records
✅ Equipment clearly labelled, tagged, and ready for use
✅ Rapid response if problems are spotted between annual visits
With Hartson Fire, you can be confident that your fire safety responsibilities are being met, keeping your workplace safe and compliant.
While annual servicing is mandatory, staff can help by carrying out regular visual fire extinguisher checks. Here’s a simple checklist you can use:
🔍 Location – Is each extinguisher in the correct place and easy to access?
📋 Signage – Is the fire extinguisher sign clear and visible?
🟢 Pressure Gauge – Is the needle in the green zone?
💦 Condition – Any dents, rust, leaks, or missing safety pins?
📆 Service Tag – Is the extinguisher in date with the last inspection?
🖐️ Instructions – Are the operating instructions facing outwards and easy to read?
If anything looks wrong, contact Hartson Fire for advice or an urgent inspection.
Annual servicing is not just a legal requirement—it’s about protecting people, property, and peace of mind. Properly maintained extinguishers can prevent a small fire from turning into a disaster.
By choosing Hartson Fire, you’re ensuring:
Stay compliant, stay safe, and let Hartson Fire handle your fire safety.
👉 Contact Hartson Fire today on the number below to book your annual fire extinguisher servicing and ensure your business meets BS 5306 fire safety standards.
