Should I Buy My Fire Extinguishers Online? Short answer: no – and here’s why.
Buying fire extinguishers online can feel like a quick, cost-effective win. A few clicks, a low price, and a box arrives at your door. Job done, right? Unfortunately, fire safety doesn’t really work like that. At Fletcher Risk, we don’t sell fire extinguishers at all — and that’s precisely why we can give honest, independent advice on this topic. Our role is to help organisations get fire safety right, not to shift products. And in practice, buying extinguishers online can create more problems than it solves. Our recommendation for most businesses is to purchase your extinguishers from an accredited fire extinguisher business - the reasons for which we will explain below.
1. Fire extinguishers are only effective if they’re correctly specified
Not all extinguishers are suitable for all buildings or risks. The type, size, number and positioning of extinguishers should be determined by a proper fire risk assessment — not a product description. For example:
Water, foam, CO₂ and powder extinguishers all behave differently
Some are unsafe for electrical risks
Others are inappropriate for sleeping accommodation
Certain premises require specific types under guidance or insurer expectations
Buying online without this context risks installing equipment that is ineffective, inappropriate, or even dangerous.
2. Accreditation matters more than the price
A reputable fire extinguisher provider will be able to demonstrate:
Third-party accreditation (e.g. BAFE, UKAS-accredited schemes).
Competent technicians trained to current British Standards.
Equipment certified to BS EN standards.
Proper commissioning, testing and documentation.
Online retailers may sell compliant products, but they do not verify whether you are using them correctly or legally. The responsibility — and liability — remains with you.
3. Installation, siting and signage are just as important as the extinguisher itself
Fire extinguishers aren’t simply “put on the wall”. They must be:
Correctly positioned for travel distance and risk type.
Mounted at the correct height.
Clearly signed with compliant signage.
Located in logical, accessible positions.
These details are routinely missed when equipment is bought online and fitted without professional oversight. Poor placement can render an otherwise compliant extinguisher ineffective in an emergency.
4. Servicing, certification and ongoing compliance
Fire extinguishers are not fit-and-forget items. They require:
Annual servicing by a competent person.
Periodic extended servicing or replacement.
Accurate service records and certificates.
Integration into your wider fire safety documentation.
Buying online often leaves building owners scrambling later to find someone willing to inspect, certify or take responsibility for equipment they didn’t supply.
5. Insurance, enforcement and liability risks
In the event of a fire, insurers and enforcing authorities will look closely at:
Whether appropriate equipment was installed.
Whether it was suitable for the risks present.
Whether it was installed, maintained and inspected correctly.
If extinguishers were self-selected and improperly specified, this can complicate claims and expose duty holders to enforcement action.
6. Start with the right question: What do I actually need?
The correct starting point is not “Which extinguisher should I buy?” but: “What fire risks exist in my building, and how should they be controlled?” A competent fire risk assessment will determine:
Whether extinguishers are required at all.
What types are appropriate.
Where they should be located.
How many are needed.
How they should be maintained.
Only then does it make sense to source equipment — ideally through a competent, accredited provider who can supply, install, certify and maintain it properly.
Our recommendation
Fletcher Risk does not sell fire extinguishers. That’s deliberate. It allows us to provide independent, impartial advice focused solely on safety, compliance and suitability — not sales. If you want reassurance that your fire safety arrangements are appropriate, proportionate and defensible, start with a professional fire risk assessment. From there, you can make informed decisions about equipment with confidence. Please contact us today.
Disclaimer
This article is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or technical advice. Fire safety requirements vary depending on building type, use and occupancy. Always seek advice from a competent fire risk assessor or suitably accredited professional before making decisions about fire safety equipment or compliance.
© Fletcher Risk Team - 20 January 2026