Fire Protection Systems Inspection Co.

This company’s representatives make unannounced service calls to area businesses dressed in uniforms which resemble local fire official’s uniforms and implying they have been sent by the Fire Department. They ask to inspect the company’s fire extinguishers and fire safety equipment. After a short inspection they ask for a signature on a form to verify that they have inspected the equipment and then leave. Within a short period of time invoices are sent out by mail billing the businesses for the inspection services. ~~We urge caution. 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. We have received reports of fraudulent promoters engaging in high pressure deceptive sales methods to convince business owners to use their service. 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. Many are said to claim they are authorized to do an inspection of the fire protection systems and make subsequent repairs. Others might state that they are there to service fire extinguishers or hood and duct systems prior to the date those devices are to be serviced or that have previously been serviced by another company. Our experience with similar offers has been that the “inspector” will only make a brief examination put a sticker on the fire extinguisher and then send business owners a bill ranging from $500 to $1 500 for multiple 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.