Frequently Asked Questions

A P50 fire extinguisher is a long-life, service-free extinguisher designed to last up to 20 years without the need for annual engineer servicing. Instead, a simple visual inspection can be carried out in-house by a competent person.

Unlike traditional steel extinguishers that require an engineer visit every year and a refill or replacement after 5 years, P50 extinguishers:

• Do not require annual engineer servicing
• Have a 10-year manufacturer’s guarantee
• Last up to 20 years
• Are corrosion-resistant (ideal for harsh environments)
• Can reduce long-term servicing costs

Yes. P50 extinguishers are fully compliant with UK fire safety regulations. They are:

• BSI Kitemarked
• EN3 approved
• CE / UKCA marked
• Manufactured to recognised British and European standards

They are suitable for use in commercial premises where fire extinguishers are required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.

A responsible person within your organisation can carry out the yearly visual inspection after completing simple training (provided with purchase). No specialist engineer visit is required.

This makes ongoing compliance straightforward and cost-effective.

P50 extinguishers are suitable for most commercial environments including:

• Offices
• Warehouses
• Retail shops
• Schools and community halls
• Construction sites
• Outdoor or coastal locations

Their composite, anti-corrosion design makes them particularly useful where traditional steel extinguishers may rust.

P50 extinguishers are available in different types, including:

• Foam (including Eco-Foam options)
• Powder
• Class F (for kitchen fires involving cooking oils)

We can advise on the correct type and number needed for your premises.

Because there is no annual engineer servicing required and no 5-year refill, many businesses see significant long-term savings compared to traditional extinguishers. Over a 10-year period, P50s often work out more cost-effective.

Yes. A fire risk assessment is still legally required to determine the correct type and number of extinguishers for your premises. P50 extinguishers meet compliance requirements, but correct placement and fire cover must still be assessed.

After 20 years, the extinguisher should be replaced. However, because of their long lifespan and corrosion-resistant materials, they provide excellent value over time.

Fire extinguishers must be serviced once every 12 months by a competent person, in line with BS 5306-3 and UK fire safety regulations.

Regular servicing ensures:

• the extinguisher will work in an emergency
• it remains compliant with insurance and legal requirements
• faults are identified before they become failures

Yes — under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the “responsible person” must ensure fire safety equipment is properly maintained.

While the law doesn’t specify “annual servicing” by name, British Standards do, and these are what enforcing authorities, insurers, and fire risk assessors expect to see.

The responsible person — usually the:

• business owner
• landlord
• managing agent
• employer

They don’t need to carry out the servicing themselves, but they must ensure it’s done correctly and on time.

A qualified engineer will:

• check pressure, weight, and condition
• inspect hoses, seals, and safety pins
• confirm correct type and location
• replace tamper seals
• record the service digitally
• issue certification

If anything needs replacing or refilling, we’ll explain it clearly before proceeding.

Most sites take 10–15 minutes per extinguisher.

For typical offices, shops, or rental properties, servicing is quick and causes minimal disruption.

Our standard servicing includes:

• annual service visit
• extinguisher inspection and testing
• certification and service labels
• digital service records
• compliance reminders

Any potential extras (such as refills or replacements) are priced transparently — not added without explanation.

Unlike many providers, we don’t hide these.

Possible additional costs may include:

• refilling a discharged extinguisher
• replacing obsolete or damaged units
• CO₂ testing (where required)

We’ll always tell you what’s needed, why it’s needed, and how much it costs before any work is done.

Yes — extinguishers can fail due to:

• loss of pressure
• corrosion or damage
• age or obsolescence
• incorrect type for the risk

If an extinguisher fails, we’ll clearly explain your options rather than automatically replacing it.

Yes. Even brand-new extinguishers must be:

• installed correctly
• commissioned
• included in annual servicing

The first annual service is due 12 months after installation.

Maintenance-free extinguishers (such as P50s) do not require annual engineer servicing, but they:

• still require regular visual checks by the responsible person
• must be replaced after their service life

They’re a great option for reducing long-term costs and disruption.

Yes. After each service you’ll receive:

• service certification
• updated extinguisher labels
• digital records for audits, insurers, and fire risk assessments

Everything stored in one place — no paper folders needed.

Missing servicing can:

• invalidate insurance
• cause issues during fire inspections
• increase liability if an extinguisher fails

We send reminders so you stay compliant without having to remember dates.

We provide UK-wide coverage through qualified engineers.

If you manage multiple sites, we can service them all under one account with centralised records.

You can:

• get instant pricing online
• book a service date that suits you
• manage everything digitally

👉 Get prices & book servicing