Currently Britannia manufactures 6 and 2 litre metal fire extinguishers in Norfolk. These have to be externally inspected on an annual basis and every 5 years inspected internally to see if there has been corrosion due to the fire retardants attacking the steel. We estimate that over the 10 year life of any metal extinguisher these inspections cost up to £200 per device. The cost of servicing and inspection also applies to our competitors’ steel cylinders. 3 years ago after a 4 year development project we launched a 6 litre composite non-metal extinguisher which has steadily found acceptance in both UK and overseas. We now export to UAE, Singapore, Germany, BENELUX regions primarily as, since there is no danger of corrosion, there is no need for the internal inspection by specialist contractors. Through our existing business we are aware there is an opportunity for a composite 2 litre cylinder which, through its lower inspections costs, would replace the metal cylinders, and rapidly expand the market. Changes in fire prevention practices mean there is a push towards providing small fire extinguishers in the domestic market whilst more countries, including the UK, are likely to follow Germany and France in making such extinguishers compulsory in all vehicles as opposed to just HGV and service vehicles. This project is to see if it is feasible to “downsize” our unique and patent protected technology from 6 litres to 2 litres, the output will be a proof of concept extinguisher that can discharge at a rate that will put out a 13a – 55b fire and withstand a test pressure of 55 bar and a burst pressure of 85 bar, the pressure needed to achieve British Standard rules.