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Fire Safety Equipment2026-11-06T10:29:03+00:00

FIRE SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Essential Fire Safety Equipment to Keep Your Premises Safe

EQUIPMENT TO ASSIST IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE

Why Having the Right Fire Safety Equipment Matters

In the event of a small fire on your premises, the ability to react quickly is vital. Having suitable fire safety equipment readily available can help trained individuals respond safely when appropriate, while supporting the protection of people, property and business premises.

Every building has different fire safety requirements. Therefore, choosing the right equipment depends on factors such as the building’s layout, its use and the potential fire risks identified through a fire risk assessment. From portable fire extinguishers to emergency lighting, each type of equipment plays an important role in your overall fire safety arrangements.

Fire Safety Responsibilities and Equipment Maintenance

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places duties on the responsible person to take appropriate fire safety precautions and ensure relevant equipment is maintained in efficient working order and good repair. Regular inspections and servicing are therefore essential for keeping fire safety equipment ready for use.

SS Systems supplies and maintains fire safety equipment for commercial and other non-domestic premises. Our experienced team can advise on suitable fire extinguishers, explain maintenance requirements and help you choose practical solutions for your building. For more information about our ongoing servicing arrangements, explore our fire and security system maintenance contracts.

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Commercial Fire Safety Equipment

Commercial premises may require a combination of fire safety equipment to support fire prevention, emergency response and safe evacuation. Alongside portable fire extinguishers, this can include fire safety signage, fire blankets and emergency lighting.

Each type of equipment serves a different purpose. For example, safety signs help identify escape routes and firefighting equipment, while emergency lighting helps people find their way when normal lighting fails. The appropriate combination will depend on your building and its fire safety requirements.

Fire Safety Signage

Clear fire safety signage helps people identify emergency exits, escape routes and the location of firefighting equipment. Depending on the premises, this may include fire exit signs, fire extinguisher identification signs, fire action notices and other relevant safety instructions.

Signs should be suitable for their intended purpose, clearly visible and positioned where people need them. The appropriate signage will depend on your building layout, fire safety arrangements and risk assessment.

Firefighting Equipment

Alongside portable fire extinguishers, other firefighting equipment may be appropriate for particular areas of a building. For example, fire blankets can be useful in certain kitchen and workplace environments when selected and used correctly.

The type and location of firefighting equipment should reflect the hazards present and the people who may need to use it. Suitable fire safety training and regular equipment checks are also important parts of effective fire safety arrangements.

Emergency Lighting

Emergency lighting helps illuminate escape routes and other relevant areas when the normal lighting supply fails. Depending on the building, this can include illuminated exit signs, escape route lighting and emergency lighting for larger open areas.

Correct positioning, suitable illumination and ongoing testing help emergency lighting support safe evacuation. SS Systems also provides emergency lighting maintenance services, which are explained further down this page.

Fire Curtains and Smoke Curtains

Fire curtains are an important form of passive fire protection, designed to help limit the spread of fire between different areas of a building. They can be particularly useful in open-plan commercial premises, atriums and locations where permanent fire barriers may not be practical.

Smoke curtains serve a related but different purpose by helping manage the movement of smoke during a fire. SS Systems provides specialist advice and maintenance services for commercial fire curtains and smoke curtains, helping businesses maintain appropriate fire protection arrangements.

Fire Detection and Alarm Equipment

Fire detection and alarm equipment provides an important means of warning building occupants when a fire is detected. Depending on the premises, this may include smoke and heat detectors, manual call points and alarm sounders. SS Systems also designs, installs and maintains commercial fire alarm systems, with solutions tailored to the requirements of each building.

Commercial Fire Extinguishers

Different fire risks require different types of fire extinguishers. Choosing suitable equipment helps businesses prepare for fire emergencies and protect people, property and valuable assets. The correct selection depends on your premises, the hazards present and the findings of your fire risk assessment.

Types of Fire Extinguishers

SS Systems supplies a range of portable fire extinguishers for commercial and other non-domestic premises. Depending on your requirements, suitable options may include:

  • Water extinguishers: Commonly used for Class A fires involving materials such as wood, paper and textiles.
  • Water mist extinguishers: Use fine water droplets to cool and suppress fires. Approved fire ratings vary by model.
  • Foam extinguishers: Suitable models can tackle Class A fires and Class B fires involving flammable liquids.
  • CO2 extinguishers: Commonly used for fires involving electrical equipment and suitable Class B flammable liquid fires.
  • Dry powder extinguishers: Available for different fire risks, although their use may be unsuitable in some enclosed or occupied spaces.
  • Wet chemical extinguishers: Designed primarily for Class F fires involving cooking oils and fats.

Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher

Selecting the right fire extinguisher depends on the risks within your premises. For example, offices, commercial kitchens, workshops and industrial buildings may require different types of equipment.

A suitable fire risk assessment helps identify potential hazards and determine the appropriate extinguisher types, quantities and locations.

In addition, extinguishers should be clearly accessible, correctly positioned and supported by appropriate signage. Staff should also receive suitable training in their safe use.

Professional Fire Extinguisher Advice

SS Systems can help businesses identify suitable fire extinguishers based on their premises, operational needs and fire safety requirements. Our team can explain the available options and provide practical guidance on selecting appropriate equipment.

We also provide fire extinguisher maintenance services to help keep your equipment in suitable working condition. As a result, you can arrange both equipment supply and ongoing servicing through SS Systems.

Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

Regular fire extinguisher maintenance helps ensure that equipment remains in good working condition and is ready for use when needed. Under BS 5306-3:2017, portable fire extinguishers should normally receive a basic service at least once a year, carried out by a competent person with the appropriate training, knowledge and experience.

Regular Fire Extinguisher Inspections

In addition to annual servicing, the responsible person should arrange regular visual inspections of fire extinguishers. These checks help identify missing, damaged or discharged equipment, as well as problems with accessibility, positioning and safety signage.

Monthly visual checks are commonly recommended, although the inspection frequency should reflect the risks and conditions within the premises. Furthermore, any defects or concerns should be reported promptly so that suitable corrective action can be arranged.

What a Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Visit Includes

  • Review relevant fire risk assessment information
  • Check fire safety logbook records and record the maintenance visit
  • Inspect extinguishers for damage, corrosion and signs of use
  • Check pressure gauge readings against manufacturer guidelines, where fitted
  • Complete the relevant maintenance records for each extinguisher
  • Check extinguisher positioning and accessibility
  • Inspect extinguisher signage for suitability and visibility
  • Identify any apparent gaps in extinguisher provision and recommend further assessment where necessary

Emergency Lighting Maintenance

Emergency lighting plays an essential role in keeping commercial premises safe. If the normal lighting fails during a power cut or emergency, it helps occupants identify escape routes, navigate safely and evacuate the building.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, responsible persons must ensure that appropriate fire safety arrangements are in place. Where emergency lighting is required, it must be properly maintained to help ensure reliable operation when needed.

Emergency Lighting Testing and Servicing

Regular testing and servicing help identify faulty luminaires, battery problems and other issues that could affect emergency lighting performance. For example, routine functional checks and periodic full-duration tests help confirm that the system operates as intended.

SS Systems offers emergency lighting maintenance services for commercial and other non-domestic premises. Our team can help arrange appropriate inspection and testing in line with the relevant recommendations of BS 5266-1:2025, supporting your ongoing fire safety responsibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Fire Safety Equipment

SS Systems supplies and maintains fire safety equipment for commercial, industrial and other non-domestic premises.

Our services cover a range of equipment, including:

  • Portable fire extinguishers: Water, foam, CO2, dry powder, wet chemical and water mist options.
  • Emergency lighting: Lighting that helps people find escape routes when the normal lighting supply fails.
  • Fire safety signs: Signs that identify fire equipment, escape routes and relevant safety instructions.
  • Firefighting equipment: Suitable equipment to support the building’s fire safety arrangements.

Our team can assess your premises, discuss the hazards present and recommend appropriate equipment.

SS Systems also offers fire alarm systems, fire risk assessments and planned maintenance services to support wider commercial fire safety requirements.

The right fire extinguisher depends on the fire hazards, materials and activities within your premises.

Different extinguishing agents suit different fire risks:

  • Water: Commonly suits Class A fires involving materials such as wood, paper and textiles.
  • Foam: Can suit certain Class A and Class B fire risks, depending on the product.
  • CO2: Often suits fires involving electrical equipment and certain flammable liquids.
  • Dry powder: Offers protection against specified fire classes but may create visibility, breathing and clean-up concerns in enclosed areas.
  • Wet chemical: Commonly suits Class F cooking oil and fat fires.
  • Water mist: May cover several fire risks, depending on the extinguisher’s tested performance and manufacturer rating.

Use your fire risk assessment and the relevant provisions of BS 5306-8 to guide extinguisher selection and positioning.

SS Systems can survey your premises and recommend equipment appropriate to the identified hazards.

Water mist fire extinguishers release fine water droplets that help cool burning materials and suppress suitable fires.

Depending on the product and its tested fire ratings, water mist extinguishers can offer several practical advantages:

  • Protection against more than one type of fire risk
  • Relatively low residue compared with powder or foam agents
  • Reduced clean-up requirements in suitable environments
  • Compact options for offices and commercial premises
  • Water-based operation without conventional dry powder

However, water mist extinguishers do not all carry the same fire ratings. Some products suit particular cooking oil or electrical equipment risks, while others do not.

Always check the manufacturer’s instructions, independent test ratings and any stated electrical-use limitations.

SS Systems supplies water mist extinguishers and can help you assess whether they suit your premises.

Yes. Relevant fire safety legislation requires businesses and other responsible persons to provide suitable fire safety precautions according to the risks within their premises.

In England and Wales, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 establishes duties covering fire risk assessment, appropriate firefighting equipment and the maintenance of relevant fire safety measures.

The equipment your premises need depends on factors such as:

  • The findings of the fire risk assessment
  • The building’s size, layout and use
  • Potential ignition sources and combustible materials
  • Occupancy and evacuation arrangements
  • Relevant building regulations and fire safety guidance

Different legislation applies in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Not every business needs the same number or type of extinguishers, and equipment alone does not fulfil every fire safety responsibility.

SS Systems can help you assess suitable equipment and maintenance arrangements for your premises.

BS 5306-3:2017 recommends that a competent person carries out basic servicing of portable fire extinguishers at least once every 12 months.

Different extinguisher types may also need additional extended servicing, overhaul or replacement at appropriate intervals.

A typical maintenance programme includes:

  • Routine visual checks: Building staff check for obvious damage, missing equipment, obstructions and signs of discharge.
  • Annual servicing: A competent technician examines the extinguisher and completes the relevant maintenance procedure.
  • Additional maintenance: The provider arranges further work where the extinguisher type, condition or manufacturer instructions require it.
  • Prompt fault reporting: Staff report damaged, discharged or missing extinguishers without waiting for the next service.

SS Systems offers annual fire extinguisher servicing and planned maintenance for commercial premises.

Keep the service records and arrange suitable replacement or corrective action when an engineer identifies a defect.

During a maintenance visit, a competent technician examines your fire extinguishers and checks their suitability and condition.

Depending on the equipment and agreed service scope, the technician may:

  • Review the extinguisher register and previous service records.
  • Check that the equipment remains suitable for nearby fire hazards.
  • Inspect cylinders, hoses, handles and relevant fittings for damage.
  • Look for corrosion, leakage and signs of previous discharge.
  • Check pressure indicators where the extinguisher has them.
  • Inspect seals, safety pins and other relevant components.
  • Check mounting positions, accessibility and identification signs.
  • Complete the appropriate servicing procedure for each extinguisher.
  • Record findings and recommend repairs or replacements where necessary.

The technician should explain any equipment that needs further attention and provide relevant maintenance documentation.

SS Systems offers fire extinguisher maintenance alongside its wider fire safety services.

Yes. Emergency lighting forms an important part of a building’s fire safety arrangements because it helps people navigate escape routes when the normal lighting supply fails.

Depending on the building’s requirements, emergency lighting may provide:

  • Illumination along escape routes and staircases
  • Visibility at relevant exits and changes of direction
  • Lighting around fire safety equipment and important operating points
  • Open-area lighting that helps occupants move safely
  • Lighting for particular high-risk activities where necessary

BS 5266-1 provides guidance on emergency lighting for premises.

Emergency lighting requires appropriate testing and maintenance, including routine functional checks and periodic duration testing.

SS Systems supplies and maintains emergency lighting as part of its commercial fire safety services.

Yes. SS Systems can inspect and maintain suitable fire safety equipment even when another provider originally supplied or installed it.

Before accepting maintenance responsibility, our team may need to review the equipment’s condition, age, type and previous service records.

Our maintenance services can help businesses:

  • Arrange regular fire extinguisher inspections and servicing
  • Identify damaged or unsuitable equipment
  • Review extinguisher positioning and relevant signage
  • Plan replacements and corrective work
  • Maintain appropriate service documentation
  • Coordinate relevant fire safety maintenance activities

Some equipment may require specialist parts, replacement or additional assessment before a technician can complete the relevant work.

Contact SS Systems with details of your existing equipment to discuss suitable maintenance arrangements.

Keep clear records of your fire safety equipment, its location and the maintenance activities your organisation completes.

Useful records include:

  • An up-to-date fire extinguisher register
  • Annual extinguisher servicing reports
  • Routine equipment inspection records
  • Details of damaged, discharged or missing extinguishers
  • Repair and replacement documentation
  • Emergency lighting test results
  • Relevant fire safety training records
  • Outstanding maintenance recommendations

These documents help the responsible person track equipment condition, arrange follow-up work and demonstrate how the organisation manages its fire safety responsibilities.

Store records in a suitable fire safety logbook or digital management system.

Review outstanding defects regularly and keep evidence when contractors complete corrective work.

Contact SS Systems to arrange a discussion about fire extinguishers, emergency lighting or other fire safety equipment for your commercial premises.

Our team offers site surveys to help identify suitable equipment and review existing arrangements.

During the process, we can discuss:

  • The fire hazards and activities within your building
  • Suitable extinguisher types and locations
  • Water mist extinguisher options
  • Existing equipment condition and maintenance needs
  • Relevant fire safety signs and emergency lighting
  • Planned servicing and ongoing support

We can then explain suitable equipment and maintenance options for your premises.

Call 03300 417 170, email sales@sssystems.co.uk or visit our Contact Us page.

Advice When Choosing and Maintaining Commercial Fire Safety Equipment

Review your fire risk assessment before purchasing, replacing or relocating fire safety equipment.

The assessment should identify relevant hazards, people at risk and the precautions your premises need.

Consider:

  • The building’s layout, size and use
  • Potential ignition sources and combustible materials
  • Cooking, manufacturing and other specialist activities
  • Electrical equipment and relevant operational risks
  • Escape routes and evacuation arrangements
  • The needs of employees, visitors and contractors
  • Existing fire extinguishers, signs and emergency lighting

Use these findings to guide equipment selection rather than purchasing extinguishers solely according to the size of your building.

SS Systems offers fire risk assessments and fire safety equipment surveys to help businesses identify suitable precautions.

Review your equipment requirements whenever activities, occupancy or building layouts change.

Select extinguishers according to the types of fire that could occur in your premises.

Different extinguishing agents have different capabilities and limitations, so one extinguisher type may not suit every hazard.

Consider the following:

  • Class A hazards: Paper, timber, textiles and other ordinary combustible solids.
  • Class B hazards: Flammable liquids such as certain fuels and solvents.
  • Class C hazards: Flammable gases, where specialist selection and safety procedures matter.
  • Class D hazards: Combustible metals that require suitable specialist extinguishing agents.
  • Class F hazards: Cooking oils and fats, particularly in commercial kitchens.
  • Electrical equipment: Equipment that may remain energised and requires an appropriate extinguishing agent and safe operating procedure.

Ask a competent provider to assess extinguisher ratings, relevant British Standards and the manufacturer’s operating instructions.

SS Systems supplies several extinguisher types, including water mist, CO2, foam, dry powder and wet chemical models.

Never assume that an extinguisher suits a hazard without checking its specific rating and limitations.

Consider water mist extinguishers where their tested performance matches the fire hazards within your premises.

Water mist technology can offer useful advantages in some commercial environments, particularly where businesses want to limit the residue associated with certain extinguishing agents.

Before choosing a product, check:

  • The fire classes and ratings that the manufacturer specifies
  • Whether the extinguisher suits any cooking oil or fat hazards
  • The conditions and limitations for use near electrical equipment
  • The extinguisher’s capacity and discharge characteristics
  • Relevant maintenance and replacement requirements
  • The suitability of the product for your building’s environment

Some water mist extinguishers offer broader fire coverage than others, but no single rating applies to every model.

Do not treat water mist equipment as universally suitable for every fire class or electrical installation.

SS Systems can explain the water mist options it supplies and help you compare them with conventional extinguishers.

Make sure people can locate and access appropriate fire safety equipment without unnecessary delay.

Use your fire risk assessment, building layout and the relevant provisions of BS 5306-8 to guide extinguisher positioning.

Check:

  • Visibility: People can identify extinguishers and relevant fire safety signs.
  • Accessibility: Furniture, stock and equipment do not obstruct access.
  • Positioning: Extinguishers occupy suitable locations for the risks they address.
  • Mounting: Suitable brackets or stands support the equipment securely.
  • Signage: Clear signs identify equipment and provide relevant information.
  • Protection: Cabinets or other arrangements protect equipment where the environment requires them.
  • Escape routes: Equipment does not obstruct safe evacuation.

Include equipment access in routine housekeeping checks.

Ask a competent specialist to review extinguisher locations if you rearrange rooms, move stock or change work activities.

Review emergency lighting and fire safety signs alongside portable extinguishers so your premises have coordinated fire safety arrangements.

Emergency lighting helps people move towards safety when normal lighting fails, while suitable signs identify escape routes, exits and firefighting equipment.

Consider:

  • Escape route lighting along corridors and staircases
  • Lighting at relevant changes of direction and exits
  • Open-area emergency lighting where the design requires it
  • Suitable illumination around relevant fire safety equipment
  • Clear fire exit and directional signs
  • Identification signs for fire extinguishers and other equipment
  • Regular testing and maintenance arrangements

Ask a competent designer to assess the building’s emergency lighting requirements with reference to the applicable BS 5266 guidance.

SS Systems provides emergency lighting installation and maintenance services alongside fire safety equipment support.

Check that signs remain legible and that alterations to the building do not compromise escape route visibility.

Establish a maintenance programme that reflects the equipment in your building and the relevant British Standards.

For portable fire extinguishers, BS 5306-3:2017 recommends basic servicing by a competent person at least once every 12 months.

Your programme should include:

  • Routine checks: Inspect equipment for obvious damage, discharge, missing components and obstructions.
  • Annual extinguisher servicing: Arrange a competent technician to complete the appropriate maintenance procedure.
  • Additional extinguisher maintenance: Follow the relevant extended service, overhaul or replacement requirements.
  • Emergency lighting: Arrange routine functional checks and the appropriate periodic duration tests.
  • Fault reporting: Record defects and organise corrective work promptly.
  • Documentation: Keep service reports, inspection records and replacement details.

SS Systems offers planned maintenance for fire extinguishers and emergency lighting.

Do not rely on annual servicing alone if equipment suffers damage or develops a fault between visits.

Provide suitable fire safety training so employees understand your emergency procedures and know how to respond when a fire occurs.

Staff should understand:

  • How to raise the alarm and report a fire
  • The building’s evacuation procedures and assembly arrangements
  • Where to find relevant fire safety equipment
  • Which extinguisher types suit different fire hazards
  • Why they must never put themselves at risk to fight a fire
  • When to evacuate instead of attempting to use an extinguisher
  • How to report damaged or missing equipment
  • Who manages fire safety arrangements within the organisation

Only appropriately trained people should consider using portable extinguishers, and only when conditions make an attempt safe.

Everyone should prioritise raising the alarm, escaping safely and following the building’s emergency plan.

SS Systems offers fire safety training services that can support your wider fire safety arrangements.

Review training when staff responsibilities, equipment or evacuation procedures change.

Keep an organised record of your fire safety equipment and the checks, servicing and repairs your organisation completes.

Accurate records help you identify missing equipment, plan maintenance and track outstanding defects.

Include:

  • Equipment type, location and identification number
  • Relevant fire extinguisher ratings and capacities
  • Installation or purchase information where available
  • Routine inspection dates and findings
  • Annual servicing dates and engineer reports
  • Details of repairs, replacements and discharge incidents
  • Emergency lighting testing records
  • Outstanding recommendations and corrective actions
  • Relevant staff training information

Use a fire safety logbook or suitable digital system to keep the information accessible.

Assign responsibility for updating the records and checking that contractors complete outstanding work.

SS Systems can provide relevant maintenance documentation following its servicing visits.

Choose a fire safety equipment provider that understands your premises, the hazards present and the maintenance requirements of different equipment types.

SS Systems supplies fire extinguishers, including water mist options, and provides fire safety equipment surveys and maintenance services.

Before appointing a provider, ask about:

  • Experience with similar commercial premises
  • Knowledge of BS 5306 and relevant equipment standards
  • Competence in extinguisher inspection and servicing
  • The range of suitable extinguisher types available
  • Equipment ratings and manufacturer documentation
  • Clear maintenance reports and recommendations
  • Arrangements for replacing damaged or unsuitable equipment
  • Support for emergency lighting and other relevant fire safety services
  • How the provider handles changes to your premises or fire risks

Review your equipment arrangements after significant changes to the building, its activities or its occupancy.

Ask for practical recommendations that reflect your actual fire risks rather than assuming that more equipment always provides better protection.

Bonus Tip: Create a room-by-room fire safety equipment register that records each extinguisher’s type, rating, location and latest service date. Add emergency lighting and relevant signage to the same register. During routine inspections, compare the register with the equipment on site, record missing or damaged items and assign someone to resolve each issue.

Construction Site Fire Safety Under The Spotlight

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Seven people were hospitalised following a construction site fire in Canning Town, Newham, on June 4, 2024. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) received approximately 30 calls about the fire, which started shortly after 8 am. Ten fire engines and 70 firefighters from Plaistow, Poplar, East Ham, and nearby stations responded to the scene, where they found a ground-floor commercial unit of a 10-storey building under construction engulfed in flames.

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Underground Car Park Fire Highlights A Growing Trend

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In the early hours of the morning, residents were compelled to evacuate their flats as fire crews responded to a blaze in an underground car park in Nottingham. A few weeks ago, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) swiftly reacted to reports of a fire erupting in the underground car park of the Litmus Building in Nottingham.

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SS Systems Adopt The Future Of Fire Inspection Software

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We are pleased to announce that we have taken the decision to switch our current operational management software to Uptick. The team at Uptick are passionate about improving the safety of the buildings that we all live and work within, and believe that there is a better way to maintain building safety, and we at SS Systems share that same passion.

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OUR PARTNERS

SS Systems partner with leading UK based manufacturers to ensure that the fire detection and alarm systems we provide are at the forefront of current technology, along with being the most reliable our industry has to offer.

Externally Monitored to Ensure that we meet a High Standard of Service.

As members of the SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board), We maintain service records and monitor our success. The SSAIB, is a leading certification body for organisations providing security systems and services, fire detection alarm systems, and monitoring services. So, you can be confident that we strive to provide our clients with a reliable and professional level of service.

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