Consumer Alert - Fire Extinguishers

The Burnet Fire Marshal’s Office has been made aware that a Central Texas based company is visiting local businesses asking to inspect and offering to sell fire extinguishers.  Some business owners are under the impression that this individual is representing the local or state fire marshal’s office.

If your business already has fire extinguishers that are being annually serviced, verify that the individual is with the company that you have contracted with for that service.  If you do not have fire extinguishers, be very careful of what size and type you purchase and who you purchase them from.

The Burnet Fire Marshal’s Office conducts periodic inspections of commercial businesses in the city limits and extra territorial jurisdiction of Burnet.  In doing so we may note violations of the adopted fire code that are required to be corrected. However, we will never attempt to sell you fire safety equipment (smoke alarms, exit lights, fire extinguishers, etc.) or our services to correct your violations.

No fire inspector for a local, county or state agency will perform an inspection and attempt to sell you fire protection equipment that will correct the violation.  Any representative of one of these agencies will be wearing official uniforms and possess adequate identification (ID card and/or badge) for the agency they represent.  Do not hesitate to ask for their credentials to prove who they work for.  There are no local, county or state agencies enforcing the fire code by sub-contracting to private vendors.

If you are visited by or have already been visited by a fire inspector who has attempted to sell you fire safety equipment (particularly fire extinguishers) please contact the Burnet Fire Marshal’s Office as soon as possible at 512-553-3492.