Additional servicing costs

Additional Servicing Costs — What You Might Be Charged For

When comparing fire extinguisher service providers, it's worth understanding what's included as standard and what can attract additional charges elsewhere. Some companies operate on a low headline price but add costs for parts and consumables that quickly inflate the final invoice.

What we include as standard at every service visit:

At Vigil, our service price covers all routine maintenance tasks required under BS 5306-3, including a full visual and functional inspection, pressure check, label and signage check, and the fitting of a new service label and tamper indicator. Standard internal parts such as O-rings, washers, discharge hose checks, and safety pins are included in the price with no nasty surprises on your invoice.

What other providers may charge extra for:

Many service companies charge separately for items and tasks that go beyond the basic inspection. Being aware of these helps you make a fair comparison:

• Replacement CO₂ cartridges. Cartridge-operated extinguishers (those without a pressure gauge) use a separate CO₂ gas cartridge to expel the agent. Where this cartridge requires replacement at service, it is often charged as an additional part.
• Refills. When an extinguisher requires refilling after discharge, the cost of the agent can be significant. In many cases, particularly with smaller units, it is actually more cost-effective to replace the extinguisher with a new one than to pay for a full refill, something not all service companies will tell you.
• Discharge and recharge. Extended services (required at 5-year intervals for most extinguisher types) involve fully discharging, inspecting internally, and recharging the unit. As with refills, the total cost of this process can sometimes exceed the price of simply replacing the extinguisher with a new one.
• Replacement hose assemblies or nozzles. Where a hose or nozzle is found to be cracked, perished, or otherwise defective, replacement parts are typically chargeable.
• New wall brackets or stands. If existing brackets are corroded or inadequate, some companies charge for supply and fitting of replacements.
• Travel and mileage fees. Some providers apply travel charges or a per-mile fee on top of their service pricing, particularly for sites outside their core operating area.
• Remedial works report. A written deficiency report or fire safety recommendation document may be charged separately by some contractors.
• Extinguisher disposal. Condemned units must be safely decommissioned and disposed of in line with environmental regulations, and this is not always included in a service charge.

When you add all of these potential extras together, and that's assuming you can decipher what each line on the invoice actually refers to, the total cost of servicing an older or discharged extinguisher can easily exceed the price of simply replacing it with a brand new one. The problem is that by the time you see these costs, the work has already been done and you have little choice but to pay.

Our promise: Vigil believes in transparent pricing. There are no hidden labour fees, no charges for standard consumable parts, and no pressure to replace units unnecessarily. If an extinguisher is genuinely beyond economic repair, we'll tell you clearly and provide a straightforward replacement option, nothing more.