Virtus Fire
About Virtus Fire
Here at Virtus Fire we can assist with all elements of Fire Facility Management, Getting you in touch with a local professional who works along side us and will provide the highest of standards. Services include but are not limited to fire risk assessments, fire alarm installation & servicing, emergency light installation & servicing, extinguisher servicing and much more, just ask! We also have in house teams taking care of compliancy testing, serving London and the home counties. We have regular routes that provide weekly fire alarm testing and monthly emergency light (flick) testing.
Services offered include but are not limited to :
Weekly fire alarm testing
Emergency lighting testing
Fire Risk Assessments
Fire door inspections
Fire safety services
Fire compliance testing
Fire protection services
Service areas:
London, Greater London, Middlesex, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Berkshire
Weekly Compliance Testing
Having a well maintained, modern fire alarm system is essential to a safe working and living environment. Alongside six monthly service inspections (as a minimum) you are legally required to run weekly fire alarm tests, as governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) and BS 5839-6: 2019 standards.
To ensure compliance, a weekly manual call point must be operated with a test key using a different call point in rotation. This test should be carried out by a competent or ‘responsible person’ at approximately the same time of day every week. All results, including the location of the call-point tested, should be recorded in a log book.
Monthly Emergency Lighting Testing
As well as fire alarm testing, there is a legal responsibility to complete monthly emergency light testing. This is to make sure systems are in good condition and will properly and where relevant, automatically, operate during emergency situations.
It is the duty of Responsible Persons to ensure monthly testing of Emergency Lighting systems, under BS 5266 part 8 (EN50172.) The duration of the test should be sufficient to ensure the luminaire operates correctly, whilst minimising any damage to the system components, e.g. Lamps, Battery. The result of monthly emergency lighting testing must be recorded in a specified log book. And if failures are established, these must be resolved as soon as possible. Failure to comply with these regulations can put lives at risk and incur severe penalties.
Fire Risk Assessments
If you're responsible for a building, it’s important to do all you can to reduce the risk of fire to keep people safe. It saves lives, it’s your legal duty, and it makes good business sense.
WHY?
A Fire Risk Assessment is a legal requirement. If you are responsible for a building, for example a employer, owner or occupier of premises that aren't a 'single private dwelling' (a private home), you need to make sure a suitably competent person completes a Fire Risk Assessment. It is your duty to identify fire risks and hazards in your premises and take appropriate action.
The Responsible Person must record all findings from their fire risk assessment, regardless of the size or purpose of the premises. This is a new requirement, effective from 1 October 2023. Previously this was only required for certain types of buildings. Responsible Persons must also record their fire safety arrangements.
Make sure you review your risk assessment regularly and whenever significant changes have been made that would have an impact on it. It’s good business sense as well as a legal requirement, often businesses don’t recover after a fire, and effective fire prevention starts with properly understanding the risks.
Broadly speaking, assessments are conducted in five key steps:
-Identify the fire hazards.
-Identify people at risk.
-Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks.
-Record your findings, prepare an emergency plan and provide training.
-Review and update the fire risk assessment regularly.
Contact us for a FREE no obligation Fire Risk Assessment quote on 01895 590212 or use our Online Contact Form for further information.
✅ Why Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Is Essential
Fire extinguishers are a critical part of your fire safety system. But they only protect people, property, and your business if they are regularly inspected, serviced, and kept in full working order.
Below is exactly what the law requires—and why meeting those requirements is so important.
🔒 Legal Requirements
1. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Under the Fire Safety Order, every business must ensure that fire safety equipment is:
“Maintained in an efficient state”
“In working order”
“In good repair”
This applies to fire extinguishers, alarms, emergency lighting, and more.
Failure to maintain extinguishers can lead to:
Enforcement notices
Prohibition notices
Substantial fines
Prosecution of the Responsible Person
Insurance complications if a fire occurs
2. Annual Servicing to BS 5306-3
UK standards require that extinguishers are:
Serviced at least once every 12 months by a competent person
Maintained according to BS 5306-3
Correctly located and accessible
Suitable for the risks present (e.g., CO₂ for electrical, foam for flammables)
This is the recognised benchmark used by councils, insurers, fire brigades, and courts.
3. Monthly In-House Checks
The Responsible Person must perform basic visual checks monthly:
Is the extinguisher present?
Is the pressure gauge in the green zone?
Has it been tampered with?
Is the pin and tamper seal intact?
Is there any damage or corrosion?
These checks do not replace the annual service.
4. Extended Servicing & Replacements
Depending on type:
Foam, water, powder: extended service every 5 years
CO₂: pressure test every 10 years
Failing these tests means the extinguisher must be replaced.
🔥 Safety Reasons to Maintain Fire Extinguishers
Even if there were no laws, maintaining extinguishers is essential for safety.
1. Fire extinguishers can fail without warning
Common issues include:
Loss of pressure
Corroded cylinders
Blocked nozzles
Damaged hoses
Missing safety pins or seals
An extinguisher that “looks fine” can still be completely useless.
2. They help control a fire before it becomes fatal
Most fires start small. A correctly maintained extinguisher can:
Prevent rapid spread
Minimise damage
Save lives
Avoid the need for full evacuation
But only if it works instantly and reliably.
3. Protects your staff and the public
Failing to maintain extinguishers:
Puts employees at risk
Violates your duty of care
Can lead to serious injury or death
4. Reduces business downtime and loss of assets
A functioning extinguisher can be the difference between:
A minor incident
and
A total loss requiring closure, rebuild, or relocation
5. Helps avoid insurance complications
Insurers may:
Reduce payouts
Void claims
Increase premiums
…if safety systems were not properly maintained.
🛠️ What a Professional Service Includes
A proper annual service should include:
Full external inspection
Checking pressure and weight
Checking for corrosion or damage
Confirming correct type and placement
Verifying pins, seals, hoses, and gauges
Updating maintenance tags
Certification for audit and insurance
Fire Door Testing
For fire door (reg 10) enquiries please use the contact form below
General Enquiries
Please complete the form below and a member of the team will be in touch