Michael Beckter can charge $80 to $100 for a fire extinguisher service that takes about 10 minutes, then stack a couple more quick fire jobs on the way home. This Jim’s Group ride-along follows Michael as he shifts from a warehouse and office test-and-tag run to fire safety checks, with office work hitting 20 to 25 tests an hour. Here’s what a full working day actually looks like when you run a Jim’s Test and Tag and Fire Safety business.
Watch the video above, or keep reading to see what a full working day actually looks like.
Morning: Getting On The Road And Setting Up (Quarter To Nine To Mid-Morning)
Michael’s day starts with variety, not one repetitive run. The plan for this ride-along includes testing and tagging at a factory and an office, then servicing fire extinguishers and running exit and emergency discharge tests.
On repeat sites, he loads previous test data into the tester first. That lets him move faster with barcodes instead of re-entering everything.
He carries standard gear, including a tester and printer, plus a trolley setup that gives him a work surface on-site. He also runs his own power source in the vehicle so he can charge printers and work on the road.
On a warehouse or factory job, the first run is practical and safety-focused:
- Visual checks for damage to cables, leads, and equipment
- Insulation and earth tests
- Extra care around forklift areas and three-phase gear
He follows testing frequency based on the environment, not the appliance. Warehouses, factories, and workshops run on a six-month cycle. Offices can sit anywhere from 12 months to five years under the standard, depending on the environment.
Midday: Pace, Customer Communications, And Leads (Mid-Morning To Early Afternoon)
The pace changes depending on where he is.
A warehouse can feel slower because appliances are more spread out. An office can move fast. Michael describes a typical workstation as monitors, a heater, power boards, and a printer. That can be 10 tests in one spot. In those environments, he says, you might be doing 20, 25 tests an hour.
When he finds issues, he does not create chaos. If a fix could stop production, he talks to the manager or supervisor and keeps communication tight. If it is a smaller gear, like an extension lead, he tags it, keeps it with him, takes a photo, and tells the supervisor at the end.
He also calls out the “wrap a tag and walk out” problem in the market. Some operators do not test anything. He sees proper testing, clear reporting, and on-site communication as the difference.
Midday is also when leads show up. In the video, he gets a voicemail from a previous client, Old Fleet Rentals. He says he has not serviced them for maybe 12 to 18 months, and they have called again wanting testing and tagging, and their fire extinguishers.
He also describes simple local visibility. After finishing a job, he might walk across the road and introduce himself. He does not pitch hard. He offers help and leaves it there. He also shares a story where someone asked for a business card just because a franchisee was wearing the shirt.
Afternoon And Wrap-Up: Fire Safety Checks And Back-End Admin (Early Afternoon To Finish)
The second half of the day includes fire safety work, often bundled for business clients:
- Portable fire equipment checks
- Exit and emergency lights
For exit and emergency lights, he runs a discharge test for 90 minutes. He checks the units on mains power, then isolates them and turns the power off so they run on batteries. If a light does not illuminate, that is a fail. Hardwired replacements need an electrician, unless the operator is already qualified.
For portable fire equipment, he checks details that matter in a real emergency:
- Location, signage, and type sign
- Height and accessibility
- Date, including the five-year window from the manufactured date
- Condition, including powder that can be compressed and fail when needed
At a dentist site, he spots missing signs after repainting and flags them. He also notes extinguishers due for replacement and explains what needs action versus what can wait.
Then he still has work to finish after the last site. He goes home and does the invoice, issues reports, gives quotes on anything that needs replacing, and handles rescheduling and emails. He prefers invoicing the same day, not at the end of the week.
What The Day Pays: Jobs, Hours, And Typical Job Values
- Day mix shown: testing and tagging at a factory and an office, plus fire extinguisher servicing and exit and emergency light testing
- Testing and tagging pace in offices: 20, 25 tests an hour
- Fire service time after first visit: five to ten minutes
- Exit and emergency light discharge test: 90 minutes
- Fire extinguisher service pricing example: anywhere between $80, $100 for two fire extinguishers
- Quick add-on earnings example: $200 in 15 minutes
- Testing and tagging cycle in warehouses, factories, workshops: six months
- Office testing and tagging cycle under the standard: 12 months to five years
- Territory size described: around a postcode, generally a thousand businesses
Would Michael Beckter Do It Again?
Michael came into this after working as an engineer in Thailand. He left because “the demands of emails and things that were coming online then were just astronomical.”
He wanted something not too hard on his body, but still mentally stimulating. He also likes the mix of mentoring other franchisees and working solo on-site, where he can listen to podcasts or cricket.
What’s hard is the overflow. He feels obligated to service customers, and the back end still needs discipline. He says you do a full day, then you still have reports, invoicing, rescheduling, and emails at home.
He also says the first 12 months can feel awkward. You build confidence, learn the work, and learn how to approach customers.
Who suits it? He puts it down to attitude and a business mindset. You do not need to be an extrovert, but you do need to speak to people and stay visible.
He also describes real flexibility, especially once established. He gives a clear example schedule: out by quarter to nine, finish by three o’clock to pick up the kids.
What Should You Know Before Starting A Jim’s Test And Tag and Fire Safety Franchise?
How physical is a day in Jim’s Test and Tag and Fire Safety?
Michael describes it as not heavy work. He chose it because he wanted longevity and something not too hard on his body.
Do you only do testing and tagging, or do you also do fire safety work?
Michael mixes both. He services fire extinguishers and runs exit and emergency discharge tests.
Where do the day-to-day jobs come from?
He describes repeat customers and simple visibility. A previous client called again after 12 to 18 months. He also describes walk-ups triggered by wearing the uniform.
When does the day actually finish?
On-site work ends when you leave the last customer. The back end continues at home with reports, invoicing, rescheduling, and emails.
How do earnings show up on a normal day?
Michael gives a fire example: two fire extinguishers can take 10 minutes and cost anywhere between $80, $100. He also describes making another $200 in 15 minutes on the way home from two fire jobs.
Want to see if a Jim’s franchise fits your lifestyle?
Call 131 546 or head to jims.net and submit a franchise enquiry. You will get a clear view of training, lead flow, and the support system behind the brand.