Fire Extinguisher Servicing Scam Calls: How to Protect Your Business
We Received a Rather Interesting Phone Call Today…
On Monday 24 August 2026, the Kings Fire office received an unsolicited telephone call from someone wanting to discuss servicing our fire extinguishers.
There was just one fairly significant problem with their sales pitch:
Kings Fire is a BAFE SP101 Registered fire extinguisher servicing company.
Fire extinguisher servicing is one of our core services, and our own experienced technicians service and maintain extinguishers for businesses and organisations throughout Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, London and the surrounding areas.
So, as you can imagine, the call immediately got our attention.
The number displayed on our caller ID was:
0113 447 0981
Rather than simply dismissing it as another badly targeted sales call, we decided to search the telephone number online.
What we found was concerning.
0113 447 0981 – What Did We Find?
A search for 0113 447 0981 produces numerous reports on public telephone-number reporting websites relating specifically to fire extinguishers and fire extinguisher servicing.
At the time we checked, one major call-reporting website showed more than 14,000 searches and 67 user comments associated with the number, with reports categorising calls as relating to fire safety and extinguisher servicing. Other telephone-reporting websites contain similar comments from businesses claiming callers discussed extinguisher servicing or appeared to suggest that an existing servicing relationship was already in place.
It is important to make something very clear.
Online telephone reports are user-generated and cannot, by themselves, prove that a particular person or company is operating a scam. Caller ID numbers can also potentially be spoofed, reassigned or used without the knowledge of the registered number holder.
We therefore aren't claiming that the owner of this telephone number is responsible for fraudulent activity.
What we can say is that the telephone number displayed when Kings Fire was called has been widely reported online in connection with unsolicited fire extinguisher servicing calls.
And, considering they had just called an established fire extinguisher servicing company to ask about servicing its extinguishers, we thought this was a good opportunity to warn other businesses about this type of approach.
Beware of Unsolicited Fire Extinguisher Servicing Calls
Fire safety is an area where an unsolicited caller can easily create a sense of urgency.
A business owner, receptionist or administrator may hear phrases such as:
- "Your extinguishers are due for servicing."
- "We're calling about your annual fire extinguisher service."
- "We serviced your extinguishers previously."
- "We're in your area carrying out the servicing."
- "Your fire extinguisher inspection is overdue."
- "We need to book your engineer's visit."
If you recognise the company and genuinely have an existing contract with them, there may be absolutely nothing unusual about this.
However, if you don't recognise the company, don't assume that the caller has access to your fire safety records simply because they sound confident.
Ask one simple question:
"When did you last service our fire extinguishers?"
If somebody is claiming an existing relationship with your business, they should be able to substantiate it.
You can also ask:
"Can you tell me which extinguishers you serviced and provide our previous service records?"
A genuine incumbent fire protection provider should have records identifying your premises, equipment and previous service visits.
Don't Be Pressured by Fire Safety Terminology
Businesses quite rightly take fire safety seriously.
Unfortunately, that also means phrases such as "legal requirement", "compliance", "overdue service" and "fire regulations" can sound particularly alarming when delivered confidently over the telephone.
Yes, businesses have important fire safety responsibilities.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Responsible Persons have duties relating to appropriate fire precautions and maintenance. Fire extinguishers provided for the protection of people must be properly maintained. Current BAFE guidance, referencing BS 5306-3, states that a basic service should be carried out at least annually.
But that does not mean an unsolicited caller has authority over your fire extinguisher servicing.
You remain free to select an appropriate and competent fire protection provider.
How Can You Check Whether a Fire Extinguisher Company Is Genuine?
Before allowing an unfamiliar company onto your premises, we recommend carrying out some basic due diligence.
1. Ask for the Full Company Name
Don't accept a vague trading name.
Ask for:
- Full business name
- Registered company name
- Business address
- Telephone number
- Email address
- Website
- Company registration number where applicable
Then verify the information independently.
2. Ask Whether They Are BAFE SP101 Registered
For portable fire extinguisher servicing and maintenance, BAFE recommends appointing a BAFE SP101 Registered Organisation.
BAFE SP101 is specifically designed for organisations and technicians undertaking portable fire extinguisher work.
Importantly, don't simply accept somebody saying:
"Yes, we're BAFE registered."
Check.
BAFE maintains a Fire Safety Register which businesses can use to verify whether an organisation holds the appropriate registration for the service being offered. BAFE also advises customers that individual SP101 technicians can be verified using their BAFE identification details.
3. Check Your Existing Fire Extinguisher Service Records
If somebody tells you your servicing is due, look at the maintenance labels attached to your extinguishers and check your previous service certificate.
Your existing records should normally tell you:
- Who carried out the previous service
- When the service took place
- When the next service is expected
- Which extinguishers were inspected
- Details of any work or replacements completed
If the company telephoning you doesn't match the company shown on your records, ask why they are contacting you.
4. Never Be Afraid to Say "Send It to Us in Writing"
There is rarely any reason to commit to fire extinguisher servicing during an unsolicited telephone call.
Simply say:
"Please email your company details, accreditation and quotation to us and we'll review them."
A professional fire safety business should have no objection whatsoever to that request.
In fact, we'd encourage it.
5. Independently Find the Company's Contact Details
Don't rely entirely on telephone numbers, email addresses or website addresses supplied during the call.
Search independently for the company.
Check Companies House where appropriate, look for an established website, check the BAFE Fire Safety Register and make sure the information corresponds.
Watch Out for Claims That They Have Serviced You Before
This is probably one of the biggest warning signs.
If an unfamiliar caller suggests that they already service your extinguishers, check your records before agreeing to anything.
Businesses change personnel. Receptionists change. Facilities managers change. Accounts departments change.
A confident caller may therefore speak to someone who wasn't present when the previous service took place.
That employee may reasonably think:
"They seem to know the extinguishers need servicing, so perhaps we already use them."
Don't assume.
Check.
A legitimate existing provider should be able to demonstrate the relationship.
Who Is Responsible for Fire Extinguisher Servicing?
In England and Wales, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places duties on the Responsible Person in relation to fire safety precautions within relevant premises.
Where portable fire extinguishers are provided, they need to be properly maintained and kept in suitable working condition.
BAFE's current guidance states that fire extinguishers should receive a basic service at least annually, referring to the maintenance intervals within BS 5306-3.
However, compliance isn't simply about getting somebody through the door once a year to put a sticker on an extinguisher.
The competence of the person and organisation carrying out the work matters.
BAFE strongly recommends using an appropriately Third-Party Certificated and BAFE Registered Organisation, with BAFE SP101 being the applicable scheme for portable fire extinguisher servicing and maintenance.
Our Advice If You Receive a Suspicious Fire Extinguisher Call
If you're unexpectedly contacted about your fire extinguishers:
Don't panic. Don't be pressured. And don't agree to a visit simply because somebody tells you your service is due.
Instead:
- Ask for the caller's full company details.
- Ask how they obtained your information.
- Ask when they supposedly last serviced your equipment.
- Check your existing extinguisher service labels and certificates.
- Ask whether the company is BAFE SP101 Registered.
- Independently verify their registration.
- Request all proposals and prices in writing.
- Do not provide payment information during an unsolicited call.
- If you're still unsure, contact your existing fire protection provider.
If you continue to receive nuisance marketing calls, the Information Commissioner's Office provides facilities for reporting nuisance calls. Suspected fraudulent calls should be reported through the appropriate official fraud-reporting channels.
A Cold Call to the Wrong Fire Company!
There was admittedly something rather ironic about today's call.
Cold-calling businesses to offer fire extinguisher servicing is one thing.
Cold-calling Kings Fire to offer us fire extinguisher servicing perhaps suggests that the calling list could have done with a little more research!
But there is a serious point behind the humour.
If Kings Fire can receive this type of call, so can thousands of offices, schools, shops, warehouses, charities, hotels, care facilities and other businesses across the UK.
And someone answering the telephone who isn't familiar with their organisation's fire safety arrangements may understandably assume that an authoritative-sounding caller is genuine.
That's why it's worth sharing this warning.
Need to Check Whether Your Fire Extinguishers Are Actually Due for Servicing?
If you've received an unexpected telephone call about your fire extinguishers and aren't sure whether your equipment genuinely needs servicing, Kings Fire is happy to help.
Kings Fire Ltd is a BAFE SP101 Registered, ISO 9001 certified fire protection company providing professional fire extinguisher servicing and wider fire safety services throughout Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, London and surrounding areas.
Our approach is straightforward:
- Professional fire extinguisher servicing
- Competent, registered technicians
- Clear and transparent pricing
- Digital servicing records
- Fire equipment asset registers
- Proper certification
- No unnecessary pressure
- No pretending we've serviced your premises before!
If you would like us to check your existing extinguisher service dates, review your current provision or provide a quotation for professional fire extinguisher servicing, contact the Kings Fire team.
Call Kings Fire on 01462 337037 or use our website enquiry form.