Supply of fire extinguishers
Choice of units according to the risks in the room (water, powder, CO2, depending on the case), positioning and installation with signage. Advice on suitability avoids installing an unsuitable unit.
Business services
Fire safety: extinguishers, alarms, smoke control and training
Extinguishers, hose reels, fire alarms, smoke control, emergency lighting, evacuation plans and training: describe your need and compare quotes from specialist suppliers.
- Free, account created only when you publish
- Verified businesses (company number checked)
- Drawings visible to members only
The fire safety of a building combines equipment, regular checks and organisation. On the equipment side there are fire extinguishers, hose reels (RIA), the fire alarm and fire safety system (SSI), smoke control, emergency lighting (BAES), signage and evacuation plans. On the organisation side there are instructions, evacuation drills and staff training.
This equipment is only worth anything if it works the day it is needed: hence the importance of periodic inspection, at least annually for extinguishers, and of keeping a log. In France, public-access buildings (ERP, établissements recevant du public) are subject to their own fire safety regulations and keep a safety register. The precise rules depend on the type and category of the building: ask your safety committee or an inspection body.
This page helps you write a quote request that can be compared like for like: typical services, equipment, price factors, regulatory points and selection criteria. For the associated electrical installation, see building electrical work; for doors and closures, joinery and closures; for signage, printing and signage.
Common services
Annual inspection of extinguishers
Checking of each unit, replacement of wear parts, dated labelling and updating of the register. Faulty units are replaced or serviced.
Hose reels and dry risers
Inspection and maintenance of hose reels and the water installations dedicated to firefighting. The supplier provides a report of any faults found.
Fire alarm and SSI
Installation, maintenance and testing of detectors, manual call points, sounders and control panels. The level of equipment depends on the type of building.
Smoke control
Testing and maintenance of the vents, dampers and controls that clear smoke and heat. This function helps evacuation and the work of the emergency services.
Emergency lighting (BAES)
Installation, inspection and replacement of self-contained emergency lighting units, which mark the exits in a power cut. Checks are recorded in the register.
Evacuation plans and signage
Creation of evacuation and intervention plans, displayed instructions and signs for exits, equipment and prohibitions. The documents must reflect the actual layout of the premises.
Fire training and SSIAP
Extinguisher handling, evacuation, drills with staff, and SSIAP training (French fire safety qualification) for fire safety personnel in public-access buildings and high-rise buildings that require it. Training takes place on site or at a centre.
Equipment and technologies
Portable and wheeled extinguishers, by fire classHose reels (RIA)Smoke and heat detectors, manual call pointsAlarm panels and audible alarm devicesSmoke vents, dampers and smoke control panelsSelf-contained emergency lighting units (BAES)Evacuation plans and intervention plansSafety signage: exits, instructions, equipment locationsFire doors and closing devices
Typical situations
- Annual inspection of a site’s extinguishers
- Equipping new premises before opening
- Updating plans and signage after a refit
- Replacing an obsolete fire alarm
- Public-access building to bring into compliance
- Organising an evacuation drill and staff training
- Preparing for a visit by the safety committee or an insurer’s inspection
- Warehouse or workshop with particular risks to secure
What affects the price
-
1
Number and type of units
The number of extinguishers, detectors and lighting units, and their type, determine the inspection time and the cost of supplies.
-
2
Floor area and layout of the premises
The number of floors, buildings and zones, and the presence of stairs or hard-to-reach areas change the time on site.
-
3
Type of building and requirements
A public-access building, an office block, a warehouse or a workshop do not have the same obligations or the same level of equipment. The higher the requirement, the more thorough the survey.
-
4
New build or existing
Equipping new premises is not the same work as upgrading an old installation, which may be incomplete or undocumented.
-
5
Maintenance contract or single visit
A contract covering several inspections and register upkeep is priced differently from a one-off visit.
-
6
Training: duration and numbers
The content chosen, the number of people to train and the training location all affect the price. Qualifying courses require an approved training body.
Tips for a successful request
Post a request- State the type of building and its use: offices, shop, warehouse, workshop, public-access building, with its category if you know it.
- Give the floor area, the number of floors and buildings, and attach plans if you have them.
- List what exists: approximate number of extinguishers, type of alarm, emergency lighting, smoke control, evacuation plans displayed.
- Say whether the last inspection report, the safety register or a committee opinion contains observations that need to be cleared.
- Mention your constraints for the visit: opening hours, sensitive areas, access, night or weekend work.
- Indicate whether you want training, for how many people and on what topic (extinguishers, evacuation, SSIAP).
Periodic inspections, safety register and public-access buildings
Emergency equipment must be maintained and checked at regular intervals. In France, extinguishers must be inspected periodically (Labour Code); in practice, the inspection is at least annual, as provided by the APSAD R4 rule and the safety regulations for public-access buildings. APSAD is a standard that comes from the insurance world: supplier certification is optional, but insurers often ask for it. So check what your insurer requires.
Public-access buildings (ERP) are subject to safety regulations against fire and panic risks, which in particular require a safety register to be kept. It brings together inspection reports, works, training and drills. In a company, the employer must also define fire instructions and organise evacuation drills. The exact arrangements depend on the type and category of the building.
| Equipment | What to expect from a supplier |
|---|---|
| Extinguishers | Annual inspection, dated label, replacement of defective units |
| Alarm and SSI | Periodic checks, report, repair of faults |
| Smoke control | Operating tests of the controls and openings |
| Emergency lighting | Checking of battery duration and unit operation |
| Register | Recording of visits and observations |
Evacuation, instructions and staff training
The best equipment does not replace prepared teams. A legible evacuation plan, displayed instructions, clear exits and regular evacuation drills are essential. Appoint fire wardens and sweepers, define an assembly point and test the arrangements regularly, including with the visitors and contractors present.
Several types of training are common:
- Extinguisher handling: recognising fire classes, choosing the unit, practising on a real or simulated fire.
- Evacuation: the role of wardens, behaviour on hearing the alarm, assisting people with reduced mobility.
- SSIAP: training for fire safety and personal assistance staff, required in the public-access and high-rise buildings (IGH) concerned in France. Depending on the level, it corresponds to different duties.
Check that the training body is approved to deliver the course requested and that it issues a certificate. For guarded sites, fire safety can be coordinated with security and guarding.
Choosing your supplier and preparing the visit
Ask for an itemised quote: number of units inspected, supplies included, any replacements, provision of a report and updating of the register. Compare offers drawn up on the same basis, with the same equipment and the same obligations. A quote far below the others may not include the full inspection or the documentation update.
- Inventory: list the equipment in place and mark it on a plan.
- Quote request: attach the last inspection report and the register.
- Visit: warn the occupants and ensure access to all rooms and technical areas.
- Follow-up: use the report, have observations cleared, update the register.
Ask for proof of certification if your insurer requires it, as well as the professional liability insurance certificate. Meaflow checks companies’ SIRET numbers, not their insurance or certifications: these must be requested from the supplier. To put your requirements in writing, use our specification generator.
Related expertise
Security & guarding
Security officers, guarding, patrols, alarms, CCTV, access control
Building electrical work
Installations, compliance upgrades, lighting, low-voltage systems
Joinery & closures
Doors, windows, shutters, gates, roller shutters
Printing & signage
Printing, shop signs, adhesives, signage, vehicle marking
Frequently asked questions
A question not answered here? Visit the help centre or write to us.
How often should extinguishers be inspected?
In France, the Labour Code requires periodic inspection of extinguishers; in practice, it is at least annual, as provided by the APSAD R4 rule and the safety regulations for public-access buildings. More frequent checks may be requested in some cases, depending on your activity or your insurers. The supplier fixes a dated label and gives you a report. Keep it with the safety register.
Is APSAD certification mandatory?
No, certification of a supplier to an APSAD standard is optional. However, insurers often ask for it and may take it into account in your policy. Before choosing, ask your insurer what it requires. You can then specify the need in your request.
What is a safety register and who must keep it?
It is the document in which inspections, works, drills, training and observations relating to fire safety are recorded. It is notably required in public-access buildings. The arrangements depend on the type and category of the building: ask your safety committee or an inspection body.
What is SSIAP training and who is concerned?
SSIAP is the training for staff responsible for fire safety and personal assistance in certain public-access and high-rise buildings in France. It has several levels, depending on the duties. It is not needed everywhere: check what the regulations require for your building.
Does Meaflow check fire safety suppliers’ certifications and insurance?
Meaflow checks the SIRET number of registered companies, but does not verify their insurance, certifications, qualifications or approvals. Ask the supplier directly for its professional liability insurance certificate, any certifications and, for training, its approval. Posting a request is free and commission-free.
Can I combine inspection, plans and training in a single request?
Yes. You can describe all your needs in one request, or split it by service. Some suppliers offer a package, others specialise, for example in training. State what interests you so that you receive comparable quotes and can choose with full knowledge.
Need help with fire safety?
Describe your project for free and compare price quotes from business service providers.
Are you a service provider?
Create your profile for free and respond to requests that match your expertise.