Fire Extinguisher Inspection & Recharging
OSHA requires annual inspection for every extinguisher in every commercial building — you visit, you bill
Fire extinguisher service companies inspect, recharge, and certify the fire extinguishers in commercial buildings — restaurants, warehouses, offices, schools, hotels — under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157, which mandates annual inspection for every extinguisher. A technician drives a route of accounts and earns $20–$50 per extinguisher per visit, plus recharge fees ($25–$75) when units are used or fail inspection. A solo operator with 500 commercial accounts — each with an average of 10 extinguishers — generates $100K–$250K/year in highly predictable, legally mandated revenue. Startups are cheap: a route van, basic tools, and recharging equipment run under $15K.
Avg Revenue
$200K
Profit Margin
40%
Acquisition Multiple
2x - 3x
Startup Cost
$8K - $25K
Difficulty
2/5
How It Works
Technicians visit commercial accounts annually, visually inspect each extinguisher for pressure, damage, and accessibility, affix a dated inspection tag, and recharge or replace any non-compliant units. Accounts typically sign annual service agreements covering all units in a building. Pricing is per-unit ($20–$50/extinguisher/year for inspection; $25–$75 for recharging). OSHA fines for non-compliance run $15,625 per violation — building owners cannot afford to skip this service.
Revenue Range
Pros
- +OSHA mandates annual inspection — this demand is legally guaranteed
- +Extremely low startup cost under $15K for a solo operation
- +High margins at 40%+ — mostly labor, minimal materials
- +Annual recurring revenue with accounts that auto-renew and rarely cancel
Cons
- -Revenue per visit is modest — scaling requires many accounts or acquiring existing routes
- -State-level licensing and certification requirements vary significantly
- -Physically a driving-heavy route business — fuel costs and wear on a van
Best For
Operator-investors who want a compliance-driven route with near-zero churn and ultra-low startup costs
Operating Costs
Van ($15K–$25K), CO2 recharging station ($1,500–$3,000), hydrostatic testing equipment, state licensing (~$200–$500), and liability insurance. Cost per visit is mostly fuel and labor. Margins improve significantly with route density — accounts clustered in a geographic area minimize drive time.
Where to Buy
Find fire extinguisher and fire safety businesses for sale
National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors — industry body for fire extinguisher service companies
Browse fire safety and compliance service business acquisitions
Quick Facts
- Category
- route
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Acquisition Price
- $400K - $600K
Share This Business
Know someone who'd love a fire extinguisher inspection & recharging? Send them this page.
BizBite.io
Fire Extinguisher Inspection & Recharging
$200K/yr • 40% margins • 2x–3x multiple
Get the full breakdown in your inbox
Join 500+ boring business enthusiasts