Why Are Our Fire Extinguishers So Cheap?

What is different about your fire extinguishers that makes them so cheap?

How can I be sure they are not stolen?

If they are really made by Chubb Fire, why don't they say Chubb on the label?

Do you sell new extinguishers as well as I don't want second hand or refurbished ones?

Above is a list of questions that arrived in our email inbox just this week and, to be honest, most have been asked over and over again.

Why is Fire Protection Online trying to make fire extinguishers affordable?

But first, a quick list of answers to the above questions.

What is different about your extinguishers that makes them so cheap?

Why is Tesco so cheap? Look what Asda has been doing to bring down the price of over-the-counter drugs, look what Amazon did to the book pricing agreement. We make a profit, not a lot, but enough. However, the online selling model reduces overheads such as large premises, sales staff, vehicles, telephone bills and all that goes with it.

We are purely an online company and have been organised with all the modern, super-efficient facilities available, unlike older-style firms that try to change to the modern way. These efficiencies ensure huge stocks so you can order before 1.00pm and you get it the next day (and orders right up to 4pm often go out the same day). Not bad, eh?

The important questions to ask are do they have the BSI Kitemark, the BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) and the CE mark? If they have these, you know they have been tested and are continuously tested in the UK at huge expense. There is no better. Ones that say EN3 approved are NOT the same as BS EN3 approved.

How can I be sure they are not stolen?

That one made us laugh but it's a sensible question. These are all individually boxed and wrapped, filled and ready to go. If you look around the labelling, you will find the date of manufacture.

Chubb Fire Is A Huge World-class Fire Company

If they are really made by Chubb Fire, why don't they say Chubb on the label?

The Chubb factory makes more extinguishers than you could shake a stick at. Over the years they have accumulated their rivals and own the rights to the Pyrene, Thomas Glover, Read & Campbell, Firepower and other famous fire trade names.

At the time of writing, they are owned by the huge American conglomerate, United Technologies Corporation, who also owns their main rival Kidde (not many people realise that the UK's two largest 'rivals' are owned by the same company). But they both operate separately. Amazingly, a few years ago, they were both part of the UK conglomerate, Williams PLC, before being split in two!

To keep a big factory working efficiently, Chubb make extinguishers and sell them wholesale to the 'trade', i.e. their competitors. These are sold via their 'trade' company Thomas Glover & Company and, so that Chubb can continue to price their products highly, these TG models will look slightly different only in the label and the shape of the valve handles.

Ours are branded as FireChief and FirePower ranges.

We Will Never Offer Second-Hand Or Refurbished Extinguishers For Sale

Do you sell new extinguishers as well as I don't want second hand or refurbished ones?

Although many of the cowboy companies do - and the quality is quite often so good that you would not know! Worrying, isn't it?

But, have no fear, Fire Protection Online sells new ones at lower prices than the cowboys sell refurbished ones for!

Plus, look around the labelling on ours and you will see the manufacture date on every item.

That covers those questions for you. There are more frequently asked questions (FAQs) with a link in the lower left column on each page.