Commerce Commission takes action over false fire extinguisher claims

Monday, 27 November 2017

Owners of fire extinguishers might have been misled about what was actually happening.

A company that charged customers to refill, test or recharge their fire extinguishers – but did none of those things – has copped a warning from the Commerce Commission.

The watchdog has issued a 'stop now' letter to Aero Fire, for business practices it says may be harmful to consumers.

It operates predominantly in Auckland and Hamilton and charges customers for servicing fire extinguishers.

But the commission found Aero Fire charged customers for refilling, pressure-testing or recharging more than 300 fire extinguishers – when it admitted it performed none of those services.

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'From information obtained, it appears that only two of those extinguishers were pressure-tested and recharged by a third party for Aero Fire. In our view the conduct may breach the Fair Trading Act,' commissioner Anna Rawlings said.

Aero Fire has been asked to immediately stop making false or misleading representations relating to the servicing of fire extinguishers, including that it operates in accordance with the relevant New Zealand Standard. It does not.

The letter also requests that Aero Fire cease misleading conduct, including the punching of maintenance tags to indicate pressure testing has been done, when it has not.

'By issuing a 'stop now' letter the commission requires Aero Fire to stop any non-compliant conduct in order to prevent further harm to consumers or to competitors who are complying with the law, Rawlings said.

'The commission's investigation is ongoing, and this letter does not prevent the commission taking enforcement action in future.'

Aero Fire told the commission it would comply with the request.

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