Fire Extinguisher Technician Careers

[Wilkes]

I am thinking about a change of career, training and working as a fire extinguisher technician, and I would really appreciate some advice about this.

Although my current job has nothing to do with fire extinguishers, I have had an interest in the subject for many years – since I was at school, in fact.  I still have fond memories of a visit as a youngster to Nu-Swift’s extinguisher factory in West Yorkshire, and days out with service engineers from several companies, etc. My ambition at the time was to have a career in some aspect of fire extinguishers, but school and university ended up taking me in a different direction – namely teaching.  After around thirteen years in my current job, I have become rather restless, and I feel that the time has come to revisit this interest in extinguishers.  In July I am taking the FETA extinguisher technicians four-day course and exam, run by Chubb Fire, which I hope will be a step in this direction.

It has been great coming across the Firenet Forum, especially reading the contributions from undoubted experts in the area of fire extinguishers.  It has really persuaded me to pursue this career path.  My concern, though, is whether or not the job of an extinguisher technician today is increasingly more of a salesman job than a technician.  Obviously, any technician job will involve some sales work, but are most extinguisher technicians dependent on achieving a hefty commission each month in order to make a living or keep their job?  If so, is there a great pressure on them to replace equipment unnecessarily rather than service or recharge it?  I would want to work for a company which prided itself on offering its customers an honest, professional service.   Does it depend to some extent on whether you work for a nationwide company or a smaller independent one?  

Any advice which you can offer me on the above query would be really useful.  Would you recommend such a career move?  If so, how frequently do such vacancies appear?  In addition to passing the FETA exam, is there anything else I could do in order to maximise my chances of securing such a job?

Thanks very much for your help.

[Psuedonym]

Well??     Come on guys....After 34 viewings ... Is'nt SOMEBODY going to tell him?  :lol:

Oh, very clever, it's a bloody wind up isn't it? :rolleyes:

[nim]

I just thought that Wilkes must already be a service technician judging by what he (assuming you are) wrote. Either that or Wilkes is very intuitive.

And if you are not already a service technician. When I was young and fit I loved the job. 25 years on. Not so much.

[Wilkes]

Sorry if I have misled anyone. I can assure everyone that my original post about a career as an extinguisher technician was totally genuine, and certainly not a wind-up.  I simply wanted to ask existing technicians and other experts in the field if they considered the job to be a worthwhile one, and the extent to which the job revolved around achieving a commission each month.

[AnthonyB]

I've been on hols so only just seen this.

I'll be sending a PM to the poster

[The Reiver]

Hi Wilkes,
I read your post with great interest. Don't know why AB's sending you a PM. Why go all private when you're about to embark on such a life changing and - if I may be so bold - life enhancing career change.

As a 20+ year veteran, I can honestly say that you are about to make the best decision of your life so far. You will find no finer and honourable path as that taken by an extinguisher technician. The nearest analogy in this modern world would be its remarkable closeness to medieval chivalry.
And in future times, once established in the position, the attainment of BAFE ST 104 will raise your honour level to almost that of a daiety in the eyes of other less worthy technicians.
The companies you need to start your career with are - as always - the tried and tested heirachy of our trade. We do not like to name drop on this forum as they are mighty but modest creatures who take ill of praise being heaped upon them. But a little homework (of course being a teacher, that will be second nature) will soon bring them to light.
These companies will soon set you on the straight and true path of (self)righteous technicianhood. After a short and intense period of training, they will send you forth to do battle weilding the mighty sword of 5306 and protected by the holy shield of BAFE.
I have worked for one of these companies, and let me tell you, it was an absolute pleasure. My life has been one of utter misery since I realised I could never attain the level of chivalrous works that they wished me to reach.
Every single minute of every single day of my life is spent regretting that I was never good enough to gain foothold on the moral high ground that they so gracefuly stand upon and sneer down at the rest of us from.
Because although my sword was made of finest 5306 and my shield buckled with the emblem of BAFE I could never quite smite the blow that would hit the target.

[Psuedonym]

Don't be misled by such frivolous meadering such as is brought forward from some of these posts!

Read between the lines and you will see it's not a bad career. As for your choice of employer, I'm pretty sure AB has pointed you in the right direction, he seems to be an honourable type of chap!
There are cowboys and rip off merchants as well as the odd decent firm, as with any industry.

Do be warned though..to much ABC powder is not too good for the old brain cells..ask the Rivier!!

Good luck

[AnthonyB]

I was going to PM as I received one, but will gladly air my views on here.

But not yet as I've got a lot of work to do by first thing monday & am in rush mode & will wait til I have a spare moment so I can do a better reply!

[AnthonyB]

I must admit I'm a bit of a history buff with extinguishers although if I was born in more recent years this may not have ended up the case as they are all virtually identical & bland now, with none of the craftmanship and even artistic input in some models from the old days.

It was an interesting job then with all sorts of premises to see & all sorts of varied kit to look at, but it's far less so now.

I still dabble in the extinguisher side because of my personal interest, but prefer being a fire consultant when it comes to bringing home the pennies.

It's always been a competitive industry with pressures, but these days with new equipment prices at their lowest ever (not helped by China & the internet) and no statutory regulation to rid the undercutting cowboys who haven't a clue how to service it's at it's worst.

It is still possible (just) to make a fair living whilst doing an honest job, but it isn't an easy path. Although several companies still have separate reps, they mainly get the initial work and the engineer generates ongoing income.

The FETA exam helps, but field experience counts as well and if you can get to accompany an engineer on visit that helps & indeed with a reputable company you would have to do this before being let loose anyway.

If you want to be really good research your field - not just the FETA paperwork but read BS 5306-3 & 8 and any manufacturers stuff you can get hold off.

I can't give you a definitive answer if you should go into the industry as it isn't my full time job, but if you do go that way I can help technically if you have any questions - especially if you come across any unusual old stuff

[Wilkes]

Really helpful, Anthony.  Thanks very much indeed - and thanks to others who have offered advice.

Andrew Wilkes.

[nim]

The job is a fantastic job. Just physically harder when you are older.

With regards to selling. It should really be telling. When you maintain a customers extinguishers you should also be doing an assessment of the customers premises to establish whether they have sufficient extinguisher cover for the size of the premises and  the risks on the premises. Although a FRA should identify the risks on a customers premises I have seen enough where in my opinion the person who carried out the FRA has not identified all of the risks and yes, Service Technicians (me too) can miss these as well.

Sometimes just asking an obvious question like "Is there anywhere else, upstairs, downstairs, another unit, open a door?" will sometimes  expose risks which no one was ever told or shown previously. Suddenly the customer needs 1-2 half a dozen additonal extinguishers.

BRITISH STANDARD BS 5306-8:2000
Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises
Part 8: Selection and installation of portable fire extinguishers -
Code of practice

5 Suitability of extinguishers for various classes of fire
5.1 Classes of fire
Portable fire extinguishers should be provided for dealing with any potential classes of fire identified in the
risk assessment

The job does involve selling/telling and there is nothing wrong with that. As long as you maintain the extinguishers correctly and the advice you give the customer is good advice then you will be fine.

It would be your responsibility to tell the customer whether they had sufficient extinguisher cover or not. Whether the extinguishers are correctly sited and signed. Safety signs. Nothing wrong with giving the customer good advice. And if someone has to supply it why not you. Just do it at a sensible price.

Even though you should/would get the relevant qualifications a lot of the knowledge you acquire will be from on the job training. Just servicing extinguishers day in, day out will give you the majority of your knowledge. Regular training and talking to other service technicians will also help. And twenty years on you will still be learning.

[Psuedonym]

Don't forget there are also other avenues to take within the fire protection industry. Extinguishers will give you an excellent base for understanding your responsibilities, the customers needs and legislitive requirements.
You can move across to training, alarms, lighting, suppression, design, installation etc. So best advice would be to look at a company who diverse, competently, within fields.
One huge advantage within this job is the diversity of clients. You will see the biggest variant possible of other industries and businessess. Enjoy.