Britannia Fire sees 40 percent rise in production after P50 shift

Production growth driven by composite extinguisher focus

Britannia Fire has reported a 40 percent increase in fire extinguisher production one year after halting traditional metal unit manufacturing in favour of its P50 composite range.

The UK-based manufacturer said it made the switch in July 2024 in response to rising demand for cost-efficient, lower-carbon alternatives.

The company stated that this strategic change has been supported by a recent factory refurbishment, doubling its capacity and enabling it to produce more units in the last quarter than it did in the whole of 2020.

Britannia Fire added that the P50 model has attracted widespread interest due to its reduced environmental impact, extended lifespan and reusability.

According to the manufacturer, the production line is now partially powered by solar energy and operates at a lower energy intensity than its previous processes.

Environmental impact and regulatory context

The company said the composite-based P50 extinguisher is PFAS-free and made using a low-carbon, low-energy manufacturing process.

According to Britannia Fire, the extinguisher’s components are fully recyclable or reusable, with no material sent to landfill.

Andy Spence, Joint Managing Director at Britannia Fire, said: “The decision to focus solely on our P50 range was an easy one. It’s what customers wanted and has been a win, win for the environment!

“A year on and business continues to go from strength to strength.

“The switch and subsequent £1m factory upgrade has enabled us to double capacity, reduce delivery times and keep up with unprecedented demand.

“This move was as much about future proofing our business as it was becoming more sustainable and supporting the circular economy.

“The benefits of embracing new technology and doing things differently were also a big draw but the industry has been slow to catch-up.

“As PFAS regulations come into force and awareness grows, the shift toward more sustainable fire safety is a must.

“We have a real opportunity to reduce our environmental impact without compromising on protection.”

Employment growth and company expansion

Britannia Fire confirmed it has increased its workforce by eight people over the past year, bringing its total headcount to 54.

The company said it has invested in new machinery and added vehicles to its delivery fleet to support distribution across the UK.

According to the manufacturer, further plans are underway to add a new administration centre as part of its site development programme.

It said this expansion is intended to meet growing demand and improve internal operations as part of its long-term development.

The company stated that its latest investments will also reduce delivery lead times and streamline customer service.

Customer perspectives on P50 extinguisher use

Nick Greenwood, Fire Safety Manager at the University of Brighton, commented on the benefits of the P50 compared to previous imported models.

Greenwood said: “Our previous fire extinguishers were non-recyclable, inferior imports from abroad that required costly servicing.

“Sustainability is one of the University’s core values. We opted for the P50 due to its impressive environmental credentials.

“Its carbon footprint is less than steel alternatives and it’s also suitable for a multitude of fires, including electrical fires, meaning we only needed one at every fire point rather than two.

“This streamlined things considerably and now makes it easier for the end user, who can simply point and shoot!”

Britannia Fire said the extinguisher’s extended lifespan and low servicing requirements are among the features driving uptake in education, commercial, and public sector settings.

It added that the P50’s suitability for electrical fires means customers can reduce the number of extinguishers required per site.

Large-scale real estate application and regulatory preparedness

Billy Cunningham, Director of Fire Safety at Landsec, said the organisation saw clear value in switching its estate to P50 extinguishers.

Cunningham said: “For a large company like Landsec, the benefit of switching to the P50 was huge.

“The fact that the water mist P50 is so versatile and can be used to tackle all types of fires experienced in office and public spaces, including live electrical equipment fires, means that we’re typically halving the number of fire extinguishers needed at sites and cutting costs considerably.

“We’re always looking for innovative solutions to reduce our carbon footprint.

“The P50 meets all our requirements thanks to its low-carbon, low-waste manufacturing process and servicing requirements.

“It’s also long-lasting, non-toxic and recyclable. The switch to P50 also means we’re ahead of the game and ready for the impending PFAS ban.”

Britannia Fire said growing awareness of incoming PFAS-related restrictions has contributed to increasing demand for its composite extinguisher range.

The company stated that regulations around PFAS and material disposal are likely to shape procurement decisions over the coming years.

NEW: Listen to the latest episode of The IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety Podcast, featuring Britannia Fire’s Andy Spence in conversation with Duncan J. White!

Britannia Fire reports production boost after metal extinguisher phase-out: Summary

Britannia Fire has reported a 40 percent increase in production following its July 2024 decision to stop manufacturing traditional metal fire extinguishers.

The UK manufacturer said the shift was driven by demand for sustainable products and enabled by factory upgrades.

The company stated that its P50 extinguisher is made using a low-energy, solar-assisted process and is fully recyclable.

According to Britannia Fire, more P50s were produced in the last quarter than in the whole of 2020.

The manufacturer said it has added eight new staff and expanded its delivery fleet.

Andy Spence said the change supports both environmental goals and business growth.

Nick Greenwood from the University of Brighton cited the extinguisher’s reduced footprint and simplified fire point setup.

Billy Cunningham from Landsec said the company was reducing its extinguisher count and preparing for PFAS regulation.

Britannia Fire said demand for the P50 continues to grow across sectors.

The company confirmed plans for further expansion including a new admin centre.