Are we being conned?

[JeanClements]

We have had regular visited from a reputable company to test  our fire equipment for years. 

Our building is only just over 20 years old. 

One of the visits, the company removed one of our fire extinguishers from our main hall saying that we don't need it, we had two in our main hall and now only have one.

When our annual fire risk assessment was due, including VAT they wanted £711 and given the fact that we are keen to conserve our finances, after investigating I asked my husband to is the fire marshal at his own place of employment to carry out the risk assessment. 

Now the company have been back to check the equipment and told us that the fire alarm and detection units are obsolete and after 10 years they should be changed. 

As our building has been regularly checked for the past 20+ years, why is this the first time that we are hearing this? 

I can't help but thinking that as this is the same company that wanted to charge us over £700 for a risk assessment that the wool is pulled over our eyes in order that someone can make some money from us. 

 

[Mike North]

Smoke detectors degrade with age, the NFCC recommends 10 years

NFCC reminds people to replace smoke alarms every 10 years - NFCC

As for the removal of an extinguisher, with out the building size and complexity I wouldn't like to comment, but there should be a minimum of 2 per floor