Equipment
Can I buy an extinguisher from a hardware shop and put it up myself?
You can, and for a house or a shed that is often a sensible thing to do. For a business or a shared building it is not that simple, because the type, the position and the servicing all matter. Show us what you have bought and we will tell you whether it suits the spot.
Where should a fire blanket go in a kitchen?
Somewhere easy to see and easy to reach, and not right above or behind the cooktop, where a fire would stop you getting to it. The best spot depends on the kitchen. We pick it with you when we install it.
Do fire extinguishers go out of date?
They wear out. How long one lasts depends on its type, its age and how it has been treated. If yours is dusty, dented, missing its pin or has a tag nobody can read, ask us to look at it and we will tell you whether it can be serviced or should be replaced.
Do fire blankets expire?
A fire blanket has no working part to wear out, but the pouch gets knocked, the blanket goes missing and used ones get put back. A blanket that has been used on a fire should be replaced. We check them on a service visit and tell you if one needs to go.
How do I get rid of an old fire extinguisher?
Keep it out of the household bin, because it is a pressurised container. Your local council can tell you what its waste service accepts. If we are fitting the replacement, ask us to take the old one.
I own a rental property. Can you look after the smoke alarms?
Yes. We can supply and fit smoke alarms and give you a written record of what was done. Alarms wired into the house power are a job for a licensed electrician, and we tell you up front how that part will be handled. The rules for smoke alarms in rented homes are set by the NSW Government and cover both landlords and tenants, so check its website or ask your property manager what applies to you.
Servicing
How often will you need to visit?
The cycle for each kind of equipment is set by the Australian Standards for routine servicing, not by us. We work out what applies at the first visit and put the schedule in writing. Our maintenance page explains how the visits run.
What does the tag on my extinguisher tell me?
It is the service history for that one item. Each service is marked on it, so you can see when the item was last looked at. A tag that is missing, blank or badly out of date is a sign the equipment needs attention.
The needle on my extinguisher gauge has dropped. Is that a problem?
Yes. A gauge outside its normal zone means the extinguisher may not work properly. Treat it as out of service and call us to recharge or replace it.
An exit sign has gone dark or is flickering. Is that urgent?
It should be looked at soon. An exit sign earns its keep in the moment the power fails, and a faulty one may not light when it counts. Let us know which sign it is and we will check it.
What does a fire extinguisher service include?
We check that it is the right type for where it sits, that it is in its place and easy to reach, and that the pressure, pin, seal, hose and body are sound. Then the visit goes on the tag and into your report. Anything that fails is listed with what it needs.
Paperwork
What is an annual fire safety statement?
It is the yearly paperwork many NSW building owners complete to say the fire safety measures in their building have been checked. You will often see it shortened to AFSS. Which buildings need one, what goes in it and who may sign it are set by the NSW Government, so we look at your building’s list and tell you which parts we can help with.
What records should I keep?
Keep every service report, defect list, quote and repair note, along with anything from council about the building. One folder, paper or digital, in date order is enough. If the building is sold or the manager changes, that folder is what the next person will ask for.
I have just bought a building. What should I ask the seller or agent for?
Ask for the fire safety records: past service reports, any list of fire safety measures for the building and any open defects. If there is nothing, that tells you something too. We can walk the site and give you a starting list of what is there, which is the first step in our compliance work.
I rent my shop. Is the fire equipment my job or the landlord’s?
Your lease usually says who arranges and pays for it, and it varies. Some responsibilities stay with the building owner regardless, so ask the landlord or agent to confirm in writing. We can work for either side and are happy to talk to both.
Can you send reports straight to my strata or property manager?
Yes. Tell us who needs a copy and we will send the report to them as well as to you. It saves you forwarding emails and keeps everyone looking at the same list.
Working with us
What area do you cover?
The Central Coast to Newcastle, including Lake Macquarie. The service area page has more detail. If you are just outside that, call and ask.
How do I get a quote?
Call Byron on 0483 371 134, email vhfiregroup@hotmail.com or use the contact page. Tell us where the site is and what you need. For anything more than a simple supply job we will want to see the site first, and then you get a written quote.
What does it cost?
That depends on how many items there are, what type they are, what condition they are in and how far apart your sites are. Tell us what is in the building and you get a written price before any work starts.
Is any job too small?
No. One extinguisher for a food van, a smoke alarm in a granny flat or a single sign over a door are all fine. V&H Fire Group is a new local business and small jobs are welcome.
Do you come out in an emergency?
No. We are not an emergency service. If there is a fire, get out, stay out and call Triple Zero (000). Once the fire service has finished and you are allowed back in, call us to replace or recharge what was used.
In an emergency, get out and call Triple Zero (000). This site is general information, not advice for your building. For what applies to your premises, talk to us on site.