Dear Business Owner: Fire extinguishers are a vital means of protecting businesses from serious fire damage. They are required to be serviced annually by a licensed and qualified service company. Unfortunately, many Arcadia businesses have recently been visited by fraudulent fire extinguisher service companies who illegally charge for services they have not actually provided, nor are licensed to perform.
The Arcadia Fire Department has issued a consumer alert bulletin for business owners regarding fraudulent service companies. This bulletin provides useful guidelines for business owners and employees to help protect them from fire extinguisher service fraud. The document has been provided for your information and may be viewed below.
Please contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at (626) 574-5104 should you have any questions. Sincerely, Tony L. Trabbie Fire Chief July 20, 2009
Business owners should pay extra caution to anyone coming to their offices, stores, or restaurants to service their fire extinguishers or to perform service on the kitchen extinguishing systems and have been using high-pressure sales tactics or deceptive methods to convince businesses to purchase their services. Watch out for individuals with the following suspicious characteristics:
• Wear uniforms with patches similar to those worn by Fire Department staff and give the impression that they are from the Fire Department.
• Claim that they are fire marshals and are authorized to close the business if not allowed to do an inspection of their fire protection systems and make subsequent repairs.
• Claim that they are there to service the fire extinguishers or hood & duct systems prior to the service date of the devices.
• Claim they are there to provide service on extinguishers or hood duct systems that have previously been serviced by another company.
The Arcadia Fire Department does not endorse, recommend, or send any fire protection service companies to a local business. It is up to the business owner to seek those services when needed. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a fire protection service company:
• Be sure that the service technician has proper identification and that he or she is from the company that you selected.
• Ask the company to provide verification of a valid and current City of Arcadia business license.
• Do not permit a service company to provide service that you did not request or that is not required.
We want your business to be safe for your employees and your customers. Fire protection systems and fire extinguishers that are properly installed and serviced can save lives and protect property. If you have any questions regarding this matter, or if you require assistance checking the status of a fire protection company, please call the Arcadia Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau at (626) 574-5104.
City web site alert in English and Chinese.