Morgan Fire Protection – 30 Year Anniversary

On Saturday 13th August, Morgan Fire Protection Ltd, held an event on the Thames to mark 2016 as the company’s 30th anniversary. 

From small beginnings in a garage adjoining a Hertfordshire family home in the 1980s, Morgan Fire Protection has expanded with industry demand and currently manages the fire protection of around 25,000 customers nationally.

Now located across four units on the Hillgrove Business Park in Nazeing, Essex, Morgan Fire is led by Directors Paul and Tanita Creasey and employs 70 staff across fire protection engineering, administration and warehousing. Fire extinguisher servicing has been the mainstay since the early years and Morgan Fire extinguisher engineers are now located nationwide, helped by the acquisition of some twenty-five fire protection businesses. Paul Creasey, Managing Director says “in purchasing small fire protection businesses across the UK we have been able to increase our customer base while continuing to provide customers with the personal service and attention they were used to. Acquisitions have included businesses in Essex, Bournemouth, Norfolk and Scotland and we continue to look for new opportunities.”

Alongside extinguisher servicing, Morgan Fire offers installation and maintenance of fire alarms and emergency lights, dry riser testing, staff fire training, fire risk assessment, sprinkler servicing and portable appliance testing (PAT).

Tina Wood, Service Desk Manager “We are always interested to hear from individuals with a fire service background, as well as those already holding a qualification. With new contracts being added every day we are keeping our engineers very busy and need to ensure that our customers’ servicing dates are met. As well as shops and offices, this can involve a large number of assets for a borough council or ensuring that a school has work carried out during the holidays”.

Each service mode has a dedicated account handler giving customers personal contact and continuity. The majority of Morgan Fire customers hold a maintenance agreement so ensuring that work and service meets or exceeds their expectations is a high priority. In 2012, the company launched an online customer portal giving customers secure access to live asset and servicing information. This followed a long period of development and investment to ensure that the bespoke software fulfilled the needs of the company and its customer base.

Tanita Creasey, Director, who managed the development project, reports “Morgan Fire extinguisher engineers have been working on pda’s for several years now. Digital recording and reporting has had a huge impact on paper usage and the company is now virtually paper free. Long gone are the duplicate pad sets with a paper trail from service department to accounts and to file. In addition man hours on the service desk have been vastly reduced. We are able to see in real time each job status, which gives greater ability to plan and schedule work. Indeed, we have seen huge improvements in the efficiency and communication skills of all staff”.

Environmental concerns and health & safety are areas that have changed considerably since the early years. Recycling of fire extinguishers and the acquisition of electric vehicles are just two of the steps taken to reduce waste and carbon footprint. Morgan Fire currently holds ISO14001 accreditation and progressed from Bronze to Silver level FORS (Freight Operators Recognition Scheme) last year. As well as FORS, Morgan Fire has recently signed up to Go Ultra Low, a joint government and car industry campaign to encourage even more drivers to switch to electric. Go Ultra Low are currently supported by leading
car manufacturers, the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT), and the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles.

Paul Creasey, Managing Director says “I would welcome the addition of hybrid vans to the market. We have successfully reduced carbon footprint with low emission, cleaner and quieter electric vehicles and running costs are far cheaper than diesel or petrol models. Electric vehicles, however, have restrictions in their range and limited access to charging hook-ups outside London and the major routes. As a national fire protection company, hybrid vans would be the ideal solution for our fleet.”

Legislation surrounding fire protection has changed dramatically since Morgan Fire was first established. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies across England and Wales, and came into force on 1st October 2006. In addition there are British Standards appertaining to each service provided, as well as method statements and risk assessments.

Morgan Fire has external and internal audits to ensure the company is working within the legal framework. Service intervals are generally prescriptive but there are occasions where longer or shorter timescales are recommended or requested by an organisation. Standard service intervals are given on Morgan Fire’s website (http://www.morganfire.co.uk/services/servicing-maintenance) and customers can check
special observations on their fire risk assessment (FRA).

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a duty on the ‘responsible person’ to carry out a fire risk assessment of their premises. In the workplace this is the employer or any other person who may have control of any part of the premises, eg the occupier or owner. According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order the responsible person is responsible for all “general fire precautions’ in relation to the premises and its occupants.”

For businesses requiring a new FRA or a Review, please contact the FRA team at Morgan Fire for a no obligation quotation. Our qualified risk assessors will provide you with an easy to understand document, free of jargon. You will also receive information regarding reviewing your assessment, staff training, your emergency fire plan.

As well as current staff and supporters, the 30th anniversary event was attended by former founding Director, Dennis Morgan, and representatives from company accountants Wilkins Kennedy, and signage supplier Jalite.

Morgan Fire would like to thank existing customers for their continuing support, and looks forward to ongoing success and innovation in the years ahead. The company welcomes all new enquiries and can offer a no obligation survey, free of charge, of fire protection assets and safety signage to callers on 01992 893498 or freephone 0800 0856381. Alternatively please visit www.morganfire.co.uk and complete the online enquiry forms or email servicedesk@morganfire.co.uk and we will provide a speedy response.

Published August 2016