Service Name
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Service Name
This is the space to introduce the Services section. Briefly describe the types of services offered and highlight any special benefits or features.
Service Name
This is the space to introduce the Services section. Briefly describe the types of services offered and highlight any special benefits or features.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, every non-domestic premises in Liverpool and across England and Wales is required to have appropriate fire fighting equipment in place, maintained in good working order, and serviced by a competent person. In practice this means every commercial premises across Merseyside needs the correct type and number of fire extinguishers positioned appropriately, serviced annually, and replaced or refurbished on the recognised cycle. Getting this right is a legal duty, an insurance requirement, and a genuinely practical protection against fires that can escalate from small to catastrophic in under three minutes.
WOSS:UK supplies, installs, and services fire extinguishers across Liverpool, the Wirral, St Helens, Knowsley, Sefton, Southport, Halton, Warrington, and Wigan. Every extinguisher we supply is compliant with BS EN 3-7 (the manufacturing standard), positioned in accordance with BS 5306-8 (the selection and installation standard), and serviced annually per BS 5306-3 (the commissioning and maintenance standard). Our engineers work to the BAFE recognised service standard, produce a written certificate for every service visit, and update the label on every extinguisher confirming the next service due date. For any Liverpool business needing extinguisher cover as part of the Fire Safety Order 2005 duties, we deliver the supply, installation, servicing, and compliance documentation as a single accountable service.
The extinguisher types you actually need
The correct extinguisher for your premises depends on the specific fire risks identified in your fire risk assessment. Different fires require different suppressants, and using the wrong extinguisher on the wrong fire can make things dramatically worse. WOSS:UK supplies every extinguisher type recognised for UK commercial use.
Fire Extinguishers in Liverpool and the North West
Water Fire Extinguishers
For Class A fires (paper, wood, textiles, cardboard, plastics). Standard cover for offices, retail, schools, hotels, and general commercial premises. Modern water extinguishers include additive versions and water mist versions that extend suitability to Class F cooking oils in some formats. Not suitable for electrical or flammable liquid fires.
Co2 Fire Extinguishers
For Class B (flammable liquids) and electrical fires. Essential for server rooms, plant rooms, offices with significant electrical equipment, and any premises where electrical fire risk is significant. CO2 leaves no residue, which makes it the preferred choice for electronics protection. Sizes range from 2kg for individual office cover to 5kg for larger electrical rooms.
Foam Fire Extinguishers
For Class A and B fires (paper, wood, and flammable liquids including petrol, oils, and solvents). Common in workshops, garages, warehouses handling flammable stock, and premises with vehicle-adjacent operations. Modern AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) formulations are being phased out in favour of fluorine-free foam under evolving environmental regulation, and we can supply both formats depending on your specification.
Powder Fire Extinguishers
For Class A, B, and C fires (solids, liquids, and gases). Multi-purpose ABC powder is commonly deployed in vehicles, garages, workshops, and industrial applications. Specialist D-class powder is available for metal fires in specific industrial settings. Powder is highly effective but leaves substantial residue, which limits its use in office and hospitality settings where cleanup would be significant.
Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers
For Class F fires (cooking oils and fats). Legally required in commercial kitchens under BS 5306-8, and essential in restaurants, hotel kitchens, canteens, and food-preparation premises across the Ropewalks, Cavern Quarter, Albert Dock, and wider Liverpool hospitality scene.
FireXO Fire Extinguishers
A relatively recent multi-class extinguisher approved for Class A, B, D, F fires and lithium-ion battery fires. Firexo is increasingly specified for premises where diverse fire risks exist and single-extinguisher cover would simplify staff response. Also relevant for EV charging areas and premises with significant lithium battery presence.
Extinguisher positioning and signage
BS 5306-8 governs where extinguishers must be positioned within a commercial premises. As a general rule, no person on the premises should have to travel more than 30 metres to reach an appropriate extinguisher for a Class A fire, or more than 10 metres for a Class B fire. Extinguishers must be mounted at accessible height (typically at the top of the extinguisher between 900mm and 1.5m from floor level), positioned on escape routes rather than dead-ends, and clearly signed with the appropriate BS 5499-compliant safety signage identifying the extinguisher type and the fire classes it addresses.
WOSS:UK installs extinguishers on wall brackets with fixed anti-theft mountings, provides all required signage as part of the installation, and produces a site layout document showing extinguisher positions for your fire safety log book. For premises with multiple floors, we produce floor-by-floor layouts.
Annual servicing and the maintenance cycle
Under BS 5306-3, every extinguisher must receive an annual basic service from a competent engineer. Every WOSS:UK service visit covers external condition inspection, weight and pressure verification, seal and pin condition check, safety indicator confirmation, hose and horn inspection, label update, and any recharge or replacement required. Any extinguisher failing the service is either recharged on site, taken away for extended service, or replaced depending on condition.
Beyond annual servicing, extended service is required at five-year intervals for water, foam, and wet chemical extinguishers, which involves internal inspection, pressure testing, and reseal. Full overhaul or replacement is typically required at 10 to 20 years depending on extinguisher type. WOSS:UK operates a scheduled service programme across Liverpool and Merseyside so you never have to remember when the next service is due; we contact you approximately four weeks before the anniversary date to schedule the visit.
Staff training and fire safety awareness
Under Article 21 of the Fire Safety Order 2005, the Responsible Person must provide fire safety information and training to all employees, including practical training on the correct use of extinguishers where the risk assessment indicates staff use is appropriate. WOSS:UK delivers on-site fire extinguisher training across Liverpool and Merseyside, including practical hands-on training with training-grade extinguishers, covering PASS technique (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep), extinguisher selection, when to attempt fire fighting and when to evacuate, and post-fire response protocols. Training is certified for your compliance records.
Extinguisher takeover for existing premises
For Liverpool businesses with existing extinguisher provision from a previous service provider, WOSS:UK can take over the estate without requiring wholesale replacement. Our takeover process includes a full site audit identifying every extinguisher, verifying compliance with current standards, checking service history and next-due dates, identifying any non-compliant or end-of-life units, and producing a takeover schedule confirming the position of every extinguisher and the ongoing service commitment. Where the existing estate is largely compliant, takeover is straightforward and delivers immediate continuity of service. Where the existing estate has significant compliance gaps, we identify these clearly with recommended remediation and pricing so you can plan the fix rather than face unexpected findings later. Takeover typically completes within two weeks of contract signature.
Where We Work?
Our head office is at Russell Hulme Buildings, Shaw Road, Liverpool L24 9JT. We provide fire extinguishers services across Liverpool, the Wirral, St Helens, Knowsley, Sefton, Southport, Halton (Widnes and Runcorn), Warrington, and Wigan as standard, with capacity for contracts across Cheshire, Greater Manchester, and the North West.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How often should fire extinguishers be serviced in the UK?
Fire extinguishers in Liverpool commercial premises must be serviced annually by a competent engineer under BS 5306-3, with an additional extended service at five years for water, foam, and wet chemical types. Every WOSS:UK annual service covers external condition, pressure, seals, and label update, with a written certificate produced for your fire safety log book across Merseyside premises.
The annual service is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and is a standard insurance condition on almost every commercial policy across the UK. Skipping or delaying the annual service can invalidate insurance cover in the event of a claim and is a documented breach of the Responsible Person duty. WOSS:UK operates a scheduled service programme across the Liverpool, Wirral, St Helens, Knowsley, and Sefton area, contacting you approximately four weeks before the service anniversary to schedule the visit. Every service produces a written certificate and label update confirming the next due date. Extended service (internal inspection, pressure testing, reseal) is required at five years for water, foam, and wet chemical extinguishers. Full overhaul or replacement is typically required at 10 years for wet chemical, 20 years for water and foam, and up to 20 years for CO2 and powder types. WOSS:UK service reports identify any units approaching end-of-life so you can plan replacement rather than face unexpected end-of-life failures.
Which fire extinguisher do I need for my Liverpool business?
The correct fire extinguisher for your Liverpool business depends on the specific fire risks identified in your fire risk assessment. Most Merseyside commercial premises need a combination of water or foam (for Class A paper, wood, textiles), CO2 (for electrical), and wet chemical (legally required in kitchens for Class F cooking oils). Retail, office, and general commercial start with water or foam plus CO2 covering electrical.
The BS 5306-8 selection standard identifies extinguishers by fire class and specifies minimum coverage ratios by floor area and hazard type. For a typical Liverpool office you would deploy 6-litre water or 6-litre foam extinguishers at 200 square metre intervals for Class A cover, with 2kg or 5kg CO2 extinguishers positioned near electrical equipment and server rooms. Retail premises follow similar deployment with additional cover appropriate to stock type. Commercial kitchens across the Ropewalks, Cavern Quarter, Albert Dock, and wider Liverpool hospitality scene legally require wet chemical extinguishers positioned near cooking equipment for Class F cover. Workshops and garages typically need foam for flammable liquids and CO2 for electrical. Warehouses handling stock require careful assessment because the fire class depends on what is stored. For premises with lithium battery storage, EV charging, or e-bike storage, specialist lithium-ion extinguishers or Firexo units are increasingly recommended. WOSS:UK provides the extinguisher survey, supply, installation, and signage as a single service, with the specification based on your fire risk assessment rather than a template.
Is my Liverpool business legally required to have fire extinguishers?
Yes. Almost every non-domestic premises in Liverpool and across England and Wales is required to have appropriate fire fighting equipment in place under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The specific types and numbers required are determined by your fire risk assessment, and failure to comply is a criminal offence carrying unlimited fines and up to two years imprisonment for serious breaches, plus the near-certain voiding of your commercial premises insurance.
The premises types covered by mandatory fire fighting equipment requirements across Merseyside include shops and retail units, offices and workplaces, restaurants, cafés and pubs, factories and warehouses, hotels, B&Bs, holiday lets, and guesthouses, schools, colleges, and nurseries, churches and community halls, construction sites and temporary structures, caravan parks, campsites, and holiday parks, and common areas of flats and HMOs. Enforcement is delivered through Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service inspection, and can result in improvement notices requiring remediation within a specified period, enforcement notices requiring immediate compliance, and prohibition notices closing the premises immediately where the risk to life is judged serious. Beyond the criminal exposure, non-compliance almost always voids commercial insurance cover in the event of a fire-related claim. WOSS:UK provides the fire risk assessment, extinguisher supply, installation, ongoing servicing, and compliance documentation as an integrated service so your Liverpool premises maintains full compliance without administrative burden on your team.
Am I or my landlord responsible for fire extinguishers on my Liverpool premises?
For most Liverpool commercial premises the tenant business is the appointed Responsible Person under the Fire Safety Order 2005 and is legally accountable for the fire risk assessment and the fire fighting equipment within the premises. Landlord responsibility typically extends only to common areas of the building. Your commercial lease should specify the exact split, and both parties may share responsibility for shared spaces.
The Fire Safety Order 2005 places the responsibility on whoever has control of the premises for the purposes of the business carried on there, which in most cases is the occupying business. For self-contained single-tenant commercial premises across Liverpool, this is almost always the tenant. For multi-tenant office buildings, retail units in shopping centres, or serviced offices, the landlord or managing agent typically holds responsibility for common areas (stairwells, corridors, plant rooms, reception, shared toilets, escape routes), while individual tenants hold responsibility for the extinguishers within their demised space. For mixed-use developments including residential upper floors, additional considerations apply under the Fire Safety Act 2021 and Building Safety Act 2022 which extend duties to external walls and shared residential areas. Your commercial lease should specify the exact division of fire safety responsibility, and if it does not, both landlord and tenant can be held accountable for gaps. WOSS:UK can conduct extinguisher surveys covering both landlord and tenant responsibilities in multi-tenant buildings, with separate reporting for each accountable party.
How much do fire extinguishers cost to buy and service in Liverpool?
Fire extinguishers in Liverpool typically cost £45 to £85 for a 6-litre water or foam extinguisher, £55 to £95 for a 2kg CO2, £80 to £140 for a 5kg CO2, and £95 to £160 for a 3-litre wet chemical extinguisher. Installation with bracket, signage, and commissioning is typically included in the supply price. Annual servicing costs approximately £8 to £14 per extinguisher for standard service, with recharge or replacement quoted separately when required.
The exact cost depends on quantity, extinguisher type, brand quality, and whether installation is bundled with supply. Bulk supply for multi-extinguisher installations attracts lower per-unit pricing than single unit purchases. Ongoing servicing costs across the Liverpool, Wirral, St Helens, and wider Merseyside area typically fall in the £8 to £14 per extinguisher range for annual basic service, with an additional call-out fee for very small sites (typically waived for sites with more than approximately 8 extinguishers). Extended service (required at five years for water, foam, and wet chemical) is charged separately at approximately £15 to £30 per extinguisher depending on type. Total annual cost of ownership for a typical Liverpool small business with 6 to 10 extinguishers is usually in the £80 to £180 range including annual servicing. This is materially less than the cost of a single fire that could have been contained by extinguisher action, and dramatically less than the cost of an insurance claim voided by non-compliance. WOSS:UK provides fixed-fee servicing contracts across Merseyside so you have predictable annual costs and no surprises.