Before requesting prices
Turn the FRA into a purchasing brief
List the premises use, people, storeys, floor area, sleeping risk, processes, existing systems and defects. State whether the requirement is supply only, replacement, a new design, extension, monitoring or ongoing maintenance.
A responsible supplier should challenge an incomplete brief. A basket of products selected only by price may leave gaps, incompatible devices or unnecessary equipment.
- Current FRA and action plan available
- Premises plans and occupancy described
- Existing alarm category and cause-and-effect identified
- Extinguisher ratings and locations scheduled
- Installation, commissioning and records included
- Maintenance and warranty arrangements priced
Portable equipment
Compare extinguisher ratings, not only agent names and capacities
Ask for each unit’s agent, capacity, fire rating, product conformity, position and sign. Confirm the calculation for Class A provision and separately identify electrical, cooking, liquid, gas, metal and battery hazards.
The quote should state whether survey, delivery, wall mounting, commissioning, disposal and the first service are included.
Detection and warning
An alarm quotation needs a design basis and responsibility boundary
Identify whether the system is domestic or non-domestic, the intended category, coverage, audibility and visual warning requirements, power supplies, zones, monitoring and interfaces. Extensions should be compatible with the existing control equipment.
Clarify who designs, installs, commissions and certifies each stage and who updates drawings, zone plans, device lists, cause-and-effect and the logbook.
Provider checks
Verify competence, current scope and aftercare
Ask for relevant experience, insurance, named designers or engineers and third-party certification where applicable. Check the current certificate and scope directly with the issuing body.
Agree fault response, routine test support, service intervals, replacement availability, software or access-code ownership and what happens if the original installer stops trading.