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Sygma Fire, Security & Electrical
Fire Extinguisher Installation and Servicing
At Sygma, we specialise in professional fire extinguisher installation across the UK, ensuring every unit is correctly positioned, commissioned, and certified in line with current fire safety regulations and insurer requirements. Our qualified fire safety engineers provide expert installation, inspection, and maintenance of a full range of commercial fire extinguishers, helping to protect lives, property, and business continuity.
Fire Extinguisher Installation and Location
It is important that before installation a fire risk assessment be carried out by a competent person in order to determine the building’s fire hazard level and to identify the optimal location for each unit to be placed.
Fire Extinguishers must be placed in a permanent location that is clearly visible and available for immediate use at all times. To ensure units are not moved or relocated, they should be mounted to a wall, within a floor bracket or placed within a cabinet. If mounted to a wall or extinguisher stand, smaller units (up to 4kg) must have their handles at least 1.5 meters from the floor and larger units must be mounted at least 1 metres from the floor. This is to prevent people tripping over them in the event of a fire and to ensure they are immediately accessible.
All units should be placed along escape routes to prevent people moving towards a fire in search of an extinguisher. The maximum distance between each fire extinguisher will depend on the hazard level identified during the fire risk assessment.
Fire Extinguisher Requirements for Commercial Premises
The Fire Safety Order 2005 states that commercial premises should be fitted with a minimum of 2 “Class A” fire extinguishers on every floor of a building.
Class A extinguishers are either 3 or 6-litre foam extinguishers or a 9-litre water extinguisher. Your building will need a minimum of 2 of these on each floor. Depending on the activities that you undertake in the building, you are likely to need other classes of extinguishers to combat specific fire risks which may be present.
Commissioning Service
All new fire extinguishers must undergo an initial on-site inspection by a competent person in order to check they are in good working condition and have not been damaged during delivery. Failure to do so may result in your fire insurance cover being invalidated.
Annual Service
It is a legal requirement for non-domestic premises that fire extinguishers must be inspected annually by a competent person to ensure they meet the standards set out by the British Standards Institution(BSi). Annual serving ensures that all fire extinguishers function properly, there is no corrosion to the unit and there has been no partial or complete discharge.We can provide a replacement BS 5306-3-compliant extinguisher should any extinguishers fail the inspection.
Discharge and Pressure Testing
As well as annual servicing, extinguishers must be fully discharged after long periods of inactivity. This is to check that everything still functions properly and there is no internal damage to the unit. We recommend that water, powder, wet chemical and foam extinguishers should undergo this extended service every 5 years and CO2 10 years.
Contact Us
Reach out to Sygma today and let our experts handle all your commercial fire extinguisher needs.
Phone
Address
Sygma - London Office
54 Poland St
London
W1F 7NJ
Sygma - Kent Office
Unit 4A Geerings Business Centre
Kent
TN23 1EP
Sygma - Suffolk Office
Unit K, Blois Meadow Business Centre
Suffolk
CB9 7BN
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Extinguisher Installation & Servicing
What are the UK fire safety regulations for fire extinguisher installation?
Fire extinguisher installation must comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and British Standard BS 5306-8 for selection and positioning. Responsible persons must carry out a fire risk assessment, install appropriate units, and ensure they are accessible and correctly sited.
How often should commercial fire extinguishers be serviced?
In the UK, commercial fire extinguishers require annual servicing by a competent engineer in accordance with BS 5306-3, plus monthly visual inspections by trained staff to maintain compliance and ensure readiness.
What fire extinguisher types are needed for different fire risks?
Fire extinguishers are categorised by fire class: water and foam for Class A (wood, paper), CO₂ for electrical (Class E), dry powder for mixed risks, and wet chemical for cooking oil (Class F). Selection should reflect the specific hazards identified in your fire risk assessment.
Where should fire extinguishers be located on commercial premises?
Extinguishers should be placed in visible, easily accessible locations along escape routes with no obstruction. Wall-mounted units or stands are recommended, with handle heights set for usability. Typically no one should be more than 20–30 metres from an extinguisher.
Can fire extinguishers be refilled after use and when should they be replaced?
Fire extinguishers can be refilled or recharged by a qualified technician after use. Generally, units undergo extended servicing every 5 years (10 years for CO₂ types); replacement may be necessary if they fail inspection, are damaged, or reach the end of their serviceable life.
Still have questions?
Reach out to our Commercial Fire Extinguisher Installation & Servicing team today.