Fire safety training initiative introduced by Britannia Fire

Andy Spence (above, left), the managing director at Britannia Fire, welcomes Ben Goldsborough MP to the company’s headquarters

As one of the largest employers in Norfolk, Britannia Fire continues to expand as demand for its lightweight and composite P50 fire extinguishers accelerates, driven not only by increased sales in the UK, but also thanks to successful expansion into the European and Middle Eastern markets.

The company’s new state-of-the-art 350 m² Administration Centre has been designed and constructed to achieve a Grade A energy efficiency rating, duly reflecting the importance of sustainability to the business, and provides office space, meeting rooms and staff amenities for upwards of 50 employees.

As part of its commitment to supporting the local business community, Britannia Fire is launching a dedicated fire safety training initiative designed to help organisations better understand their legal responsibilities and improve workplace fire safety. The initiative will provide practical and easy-to-understand guidance on fire extinguisher selection, placement, inspection and maintenance, ensuring businesses have the appropriate equipment to protect their premises and people.

Further, the new initiative will assist organisations to prepare for the imminent PFAS ban, which will see them having to phase out PFAS-containing fire extinguishers completely.

Refurbishment project

Only last year, Britannia Fire invested more than £1 million in the refurbishment of its factory, which involved a total reconfiguration of the layout and the installation of new machinery to increase P50 production by 150% and significantly reduce lead times. The company also made a substantial investment in solar energy generation to help reduce its environmental impact, while in tandem supporting long-term operational resilience.

Traditional steel fire extinguishers are prone to corrosion and must be serviced annually to ensure they remain fit for purpose. In contrast, Britannia Fire’s P50 composite extinguishers last for 20 years and only need professional servicing every decade, saving customers considerable time and money.

Free from PFAS chemicals and easily recyclable, these extinguishers are better for the environment. They’re also multi-purpose and can be used on Class A, B and electrical fires, reducing the number of extinguishers needed in each location and eliminating confusion during emergencies.

Recent product launches have contributed to Britannia Fire’s continued growth, among them the P50 AVD for lithium-ion battery fires, PVSTOP (a light-blocking coating that safely shuts down solar panels during emergencies) and the P50 Monnex for high-risk industrial facilities. These innovations are expanding the company’s product offer, supporting growth in new markets and reinforcing its position as a leader in the domain of fire safety innovation.

Clear and practical advice

Andy Spence (managing director at Britannia Fire and the driving force behind the company’s expansion) said: “Our innovative P50 fire extinguisher has taken the market by storm and continues to drive strong year-on-year revenue growth, enabling us to invest in the future of Britannia Fire and the local economy. That growth has seen us create new jobs, expand our operations and launch our new fire safety training initiative that directly benefits businesses in our community.”

Spence continued: “We are committed to sustainable, long-term growth and, as the fire safety industry prepares for the transition away from PFAS-containing fire extinguishers, we want to ensure local businesses have access to clear and practical advice to help them understand the changing regulatory landscape and plan with confidence. Through our training programme and our continued investment in innovative and environmentally responsible solutions, we're helping customers to stay compliant, while also making the transition as straightforward as possible.”

In conclusion, Spence noted: “Innovation has always been at the heart of Britannia Fire. We’re proud that our success is creating opportunities for our employees, supporting the wider local economy and enabling us to raise standards of fire safety for businesses across the region.”

Ben Goldsborough MP responded: “It was fantastic to visit Britannia Fire and see first-hand how a South Norfolk business is leading the way in innovation, sustainability and manufacturing. Companies like Britannia Fire are exactly why our area has such a strong reputation for engineering excellence, creating skilled local jobs, while exporting British-made products around the world.”

The Labour MP added: “I was particularly pleased to hear about the launch of the company’s new fire safety training initiative, which will help local businesses in understanding their responsibilities and preparing for future changes such as the move away from PFAS-containing fire extinguishers. Supporting businesses to stay safe, reduce costs and become more sustainable is a win for everyone.”

Further, Goldsborough noted: “Seeing Britannia Fire continue to invest in its workforce, facilities and new technologies is a real vote of confidence in South Norfolk. I’ll continue championing businesses like this one in Parliament and work to ensure they have the support they need to keep growing, innovating and creating good local jobs.”