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.
Fire Extinguisher Servicing and Maintenance
Regular, competent fire-extinguisher servicing is a legal requirement in the UK and essential for ensuring that extinguishers will operate safely and effectively in an emergency. Our professional servicing ensures full compliance with British Standards, eliminates liability risks, and guarantees that your fire-fighting equipment is always ready to perform.
Legal Requirements
1. Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO)
Under UK law, the Responsible Person (business owner, employer, landlord or duty holder) must ensure fire-fighting equipment is maintained in efficient working order.
This includes:
Providing appropriate fire extinguishers
Ensuring they are regularly inspected
Keeping service records
Ensuring extinguishers are ready and safe to use at all times
Failure to comply can lead to:
Prohibition notices
Fines or prosecution
Liability for injury, loss of life or property damage
2. British Standard BS 5306-3:2017
This standard sets out how portable fire extinguishers must be serviced. It requires:
Annual servicing by a competent person
Monthly visual inspections by the responsible person
5-year extended service for water-based, powder and some foam extinguishers
10-year discharge testing / refurbishment depending on type
Replacement of:
Tamper seals
Safety pins
O-rings and washers
Labels and service records if damaged
3. Record-Keeping Requirements
You must keep:
Annual service certificates
On-site service labels with date and engineer signature
Asset lists of all extinguishers
These records are inspected during audits, insurance claims and fire authority visits.
What Our Fire Extinguisher Service Includes:
Annual Service (BS 5306-3 Compliant)
Our competent, trained engineers carry out a full inspection including:
Checking operating pressure
Verifying the safety pin and tamper seal
Inspecting hose, nozzle and body for corrosion or damage
Ensuring the extinguisher type is correct for the area’s fire risk
Checking weight and content levels
Ensuring wall brackets and signage comply
Updating service labels and asset register
Replacing seals, pins, and washers as necessary
Extended Service
For extinguishers over 5 years old, we perform:
Full discharge test
Internal inspection
Refill and recharge
Replacement of essential components
10-Year Overhaul / Replacement
We advise at the correct lifecycle intervals when extinguishers must be:
Discharged
Pressure-tested
Refilled
Or fully replaced to remain compliant
On-Site Report & Certificate
Why Choose Us
1. Compliance First – No Shortcuts
We follow BS 5306-3 to the letter.
2. Honest, Transparent Servicing
No unnecessary replacements. No upselling.
Just proper servicing carried out by engineers who take pride in doing things right.
3. Fully Trained, Competent Engineers
Our team is qualified, insured and experienced in fire-safety compliance across all types of buildings, including:
Offices
HMOs
Schools
Warehouses
Hospitality
Retail
Industrial premises
4. Fixed, Fair Pricing
Clear pricing with no hidden extras. Replacement parts are included where needed to maintain compliance.
5. Fast Response & Reliable Scheduling
We work around your business hours, offer emergency callouts, and ensure your equipment is always up to date.
6. Complete Fire Safety Support
In addition to extinguishers, we offer:
Weekly fire alarm testing
Emergency light testing
Fire risk assessments
Fire door inspections
Logbook management
Everything you need for full compliance — all under one roof.
Perfect For…
Businesses wanting a professional, legally compliant fire-safety partner
Landlords and managing agents needing reliable servicing
Sites preparing for audits or inspections
Organisations wanting clear documentation for 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