Selecting the right fire extinguisher supplier is very important when dealing with fire safety concerns for your home, office or industrial plants. It’s a fact that fire prevention and protection becomes increasingly crucial in large newly-developed cities like Dubai where towers and industrial facilities are crowded into the large area. Yet with the increased availability of fire extinguisher suppliers, how do you know who among them will be your best supplier? What major aspects can be used to guarantee that you are obtaining nothing but the best gear and services?
This article will give an insight into the aspects that define the reliability of the fire extinguisher suppliers in Dubai and the different aspects that range from the extinguisher types to support services and legal requirements.
Variety should be among the first considerations when it comes to choosing the supplier of your fire extinguishers because they come in various types as we have seen above. Any good provider should have a large portfolio of fire extinguishers ideal for various classes of fires. For instance, the main types of fire extinguishers include:
- Water Extinguishers: For use in Class A fires involving flammable solids such as wood, paper, and textiles.
- Foam Extinguishers: Efficient in extinguishing non-classified Class B fires which involve flammable liquids.
- CO2 Extinguishers: Useable against electrical fire and Class B fire.
- Dry Powder Extinguishers: Very flexible and suitable for class A, B & C fire (flammable gases)
While many fire extinguishers may do the job for offices, Dubai’s business environment is complex and ranges from corporations to factories so a single extinguisher will not cut. A good supplier should advise you on the best extinguisher to purchase in your environment to meet your needs properly.
Quality is equally important. An equally genuine supplier will guarantee that the fire extinguishers used are standard with international norms like BSI or the UL. These certifications assure people that the equipment manufactured is well-built, efficient, and safe.
The DCD enforces some of the most stringent fire safety rules anywhere in the world in Dubai. For a supplier of fire extinguishers to be reliable, then the supplier has to meet the following standards to show that his/her fire extinguishers are DCD-approved.
This is important because a given compliance level may result in legal consequences for the businesses, such as fines or even shutdown. Any reliable supplier offering the products shall fully disclose how they were certified and guide you on local approval, giving you products that are legal in Dubai.
But, owning a fire extinguisher is the first step to taking towards fire protection. Basic periodic maintenance and servicing are required to keep the extinguishers fully functional now and in the future. A reliable fire extinguisher supplier in Dubai will offer:
- Inspection services: For checking fire extinguishers to make sure that they conform to safety essentials.
- Regular maintenance: According to the AS/NZS 1851-2006 COUNTRY requirements, fire extinguishers should be inspected and serviced annually.
- Refilling services: Fire extinguishers require recharging after use or upon expiring of operating time with the correct type of agents.
Best Buy should come with a comprehensive maintenance plan so that the supplier handles this via their technicians. Fire safety is a long-term proposition and your supplier has to be a customer for the long haul.
However, in the current Dubai market, experience counts the most. A fire extinguisher supplier who has been undertaking business for several years will most probably have a clearer perspective of the levels of fire safety within the region or surrounding area and other issues arising from different undertakings. They will also have established good relationships with the leading brands and stand better chances of selling quality products.
Look at the Supplier’s performance by reading customer reviews, ratings and testimonials. Oral recommendations, and written testimonials together with case histories, can be informative regarding the quality of the products as well as services they offer. The best suppliers to transact with are those who have a good record of reliability and professionalism.
The worst thing you can do is have the best fire extinguisher in the world and not be aware of how to use it. Any good fire extinguisher provider must sell good products along with intensive training regarding the proper use of the equipment. These programs should enable your staff to know how best to use the extinguishers in the event of an emergency.
Also, customer support is critical, especially as corporations swell their ranks with tech-savvy employees targeting growing firms and Internet-savvy users seeking business solutions. Is after-sale support available from the supplier? Can you get a hold of them in the event of a problem? A good supplier will thus have a good customer support section comprised of several representatives to help with your inquiries.
Convenience and price should never be the basis of choosing a fire extinguisher supplier, but it’s an essential factor to consider. This implies that any supplier you source your products from should be in a position to offer you cheap products but of high quality. However, one must be careful when a supplier prices their products very low since there might be some flaws in the products or services being offered.
Avoid those suppliers who give hidden charges over the normal prices they show. As such, it may also be advisable to find out whether the supplier also offers added extras such as free delivery, installation, or low-priced services for maintenance of the equipment.
In essence, the fire safety of a facility depends a lot on a supplier of fire extinguishers. The most appropriate suppliers should have many extinguishers of good quality, and have an understanding of and adhere to fire fighting regulations of the local area as well as provide timely maintenance and service for the extinguishers, and more importantly good customer service and support as well as providing relevant training. The experience of a company in the market and its reputation also define the reliability of the company.
More so, in a city like Dubai which has strict fire safety laws and a relatively high chance of fire-related incidences, this situation demands that you have the right fire protection equipment. When you order your fire extinguisher from a reputable supplier, you are safeguarding your property as well as the lives of everyone inside the building.
In regards to something as serious as fire safety, you require a supplier that stands by your side providing you with what you require in terms of equipment, service and consultation all towards ensuring you and your business are protected.
