The Challenge
Building trust and credibility in an innovative new product
As a British manufacturer, Britannia Fire is unable to compete on cost with cheaper foreign imports, so thinking outside the box to design better products is a key driver for the business.
Until now, fire extinguishers have been made from steel, which is corrosive and one of the main reasons why fire extinguishers must be serviced regularly. In developing a fire extinguisher cylinder made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), Britannia has overcome the issue of corrosion. Together with a foam, safe for direct use on electrical fires and created to last 10 years without requiring discharge, cost to service the new extinguisher is low. The challenge was to assure customers of the credibility and performance of this unique product.
The Solution
Pushing the boundaries of testing
The first of its kind ever to be tested to the Kitemark, the new HDPE cylinder required extensive assessment.
The company’s first step was to carry out internal concept testing to prove market need for the product, and that the proposed extinguisher would have the desired characteristics. BSI then conducted further detailed independent product tests, including 1000-volt electrical fire tests at our specialist laboratory. With robust processes already in place from achieving the Kitemark for its steel extinguishers, all testing was successfully completed, and BSI Kitemark certification was achieved in just three months.