1st Protection Systems and Inspection Co.

Businesses should be aware of ongoing fire inspection schemes that primarily target small businesses with unsolicited fire inspections. Typically representatives make unannounced service calls to area businesses claiming to be the authorized service company for their fire safety equipment. Some operators dress in uniforms which resemble local fire official’s uniforms and imply they have been sent by the Fire Department or represent themselves as actual Fire Department officials. They claim they are sent to inspect the company’s fire extinguishers and fire safety equipment. After a brief examination of 5 to 10 minutes the put a sticker on the fire extinguisher ask for a signature on a form to verify that they have inspected the equipment and leave. Within a short period of time invoices are sent out by mail billing the businesses for the inspection service or multiple inspections which can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. Furthermore these schemers are not doing any real inspection and may lead a business to falsely believe their equipment is up to code and operating efficiently. ~~We urge caution. Fire officials nationwide have sent warnings to businesses regarding these scams advising them to contact their local police department if someone shows up to their place of business making claims they have been sent to inspect the company’s fire equipment. Businesses across the nation should caution their employees to be on alert for anyone coming to their offices shops stores or restaurants to service their fire extinguishers to perform service on the hood and duct systems over cooking areas or to conduct maintenance on automatic sprinkler systems. Always ask for identification from any unsolicited visitor claiming to be on official business asking to inspect your property or equipment. Contact the local fire department and confirm if the representative is authorized. Be wary of unfamiliar personnel wearing uniforms with patches similar to those worn by fire department staff giving the impression that they are from the fire department. Official inspectors arrive in official marked vehicles not private unmarked cars.~~Business Consumer Alliance has received reports of fraudulent promoters engaging in high pressure deceptive sales methods to convince business owners to use their service. Most often when officials are done with their inspections they leave a written copy of the findings on a form that has the Fire Departments official seal. Businesses can contact their local Fire Department to verify the validity of any invoice they have received regarding inspection services. Check with the local authority about inspections. In some areas the officials charge nothing for routine inspections.~~Any one contacted or approached by these companies should refuse to do business with them and notify their local police department. Businesses also have the right to dispute any bills for work they did not authorize or that was performed under false pretenses.~