Semmco LPS

What Semmco LPS does

Semmco Life Protection Systems Ltd (trading as Semmco LPS) is a UK-based specialist manufacturer of short-duration chemical oxygen escape and working rescue breathing apparatus, headquartered in Woking, Surrey with approximately 12 employees. The company designs, manufactures, refurbishes, and trains on two core product platforms: the HEAD range (10, 15, and 30-minute head-worn chemical oxygen escape and working rescue sets, including a specialized HEAD15 RPE/CSRE variant for prison and detention cell-snatch rescue) and the EEBD range (15-minute MED-approved Marine and 20-minute Industrial Emergency Escape Breathing Devices). Underlying technology is a closed-circuit chemical oxygen rebreather using potassium superoxide (KO2), which absorbs exhaled CO2 and liberates oxygen on demand, eliminating compressed air cylinders and yielding 12-15 years of maintenance-free shelf life with visual viability indication and a three-stage safety alarm system.

The company serves safety-critical verticals including prisons and detention/immigration centres, military, fire and search-and-rescue, marine (SOLAS-compliant), railroads, water utilities, and chemical/pharmaceutical facilities, with named customers spanning UK and Irish government (HM Prison & Probation Service, Northern Ireland Prison Service), major facilities-management and security operators (Serco, G4S, Mitie, Sodexo), and enterprise utilities (Centrica, Thames Water). Products are certified to ISO 9001:2015 (SGS, 2025), MED/UKCA/CE Wheelmark (BSI), EN13794, PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425, and ATEX Directive 94/9/EC.

Revenue is generated through direct enterprise hardware sales (quote-based pricing, £250 minimum order, 30-day validity, ex-works UK delivery with international Incoterms support) and ancillary professional services (half-day and full-day product training delivered on-site or virtually, plus dedicated training-set and alarm-trainer products). Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting government and institutional buyers, supplemented by sector-specific trade show presence (notably SMM 2026 Hamburg for marine) and a content-led website. The business is privately held with no disclosed parent company, investors, or M&A activity.

Name

Semmco LPS

Legal name

Semmco Life Protections Systems Ltd

Website

https://semmcolps.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Semmco LPS is a UK-based specialist manufacturer of short-duration KO2 chemical oxygen escape and working rescue breathing apparatus, serving prisons, military, marine, fire, rail, water, and chemical sectors with MED-, UKCA-, and EN13794-certified products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Breathing Apparatus

NAICS

Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)

SIC

Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)

akta.pro primary industry

Submarine Safety, Escape & Rescue Systems Manufacturing (IMAJAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Emergency Response, Fire Safety & Evacuation (EDABAEAE)

Keywords

• Escape breathing apparatus
• Chemical oxygen rebreather
• Emergency escape devices
• Working rescue breathing apparatus
• Confined space protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Woking

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Breathing Apparatus Equipment Sales: Sale of escape and working rescue breathing apparatus equipment including EEBD and HEAD product lines. Products are sold as one-time purchases with long shelf lives (12-15 years) and minimal maintenance requirements.
2. Training Services: Professional training services including half-day and full-day training sessions for product usage. Training can be conducted on-site or virtually via video. Includes use of training sets for realistic practice.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Semmco LPS designs and manufactures short duration escape and working rescue breathing apparatus (HEAD and EEBD product lines) using potassium superoxide (KO2) chemical oxygen rebreather technology to protect workers in confined spaces and hazardous environments. Products provide 10-30 minutes of oxygen for escape and working/rescue operations and are sold to government, military, marine, water, chemical, rail, and detention/prison sectors. Complementary training services and accessories (training sets, alarm trainers, storage brackets, belt clips) are also offered.

Product overview

Semmco LPS offers a unified portfolio of short-duration escape and working rescue breathing apparatus. The product line centers on two core platforms: the HEAD range (chemical oxygen rebreathers available in 10, 15, and 30-minute durations) and the EEBD range (Emergency Escape Breathing Devices in 15-minute marine and 20-minute industrial variants). The HEAD platform serves both escape and working/rescue applications, with specialized CSRE (Cell Snatch Rescue) variants for prison and detention sectors. Supporting the core apparatus are training products including replica sets and alarm trainers. The portfolio is complemented by storage and carrying accessories. All products use potassium superoxide (KO2) chemical oxygen generation technology rather than compressed air systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HEAD: Head-worn chemical oxygen escape and working rescue breathing apparatus range, providing 10, 15, or 30 minutes of oxygen supply for escape from contaminated or oxygen-deficient environments. Includes HEAD10, HEAD15, HEAD30 escape sets and HEAD15 Working/Rescue sets and HEAD15 RPE/CSRE sets.
• EEBD

Products and services

• HEAD Escape Breathing Apparatus Head-worn chemical oxygen rebreather available in 10, 15, or 30 minute durations that protects the wearer against smoke, toxic contamination, and oxygen deficiency. Leaves both hands free for escape, with automatic start, panoramic visor, and built-in three-stage safety alarm system. Targeted at military, fire/rescue, marine, water, chemical/pharmaceutical, and rail personnel needing a fast-don, easy-to-use escape set.
• HEAD Working Rescue Breathing Apparatus 15-minute chemical oxygen rebreather rated for higher breathing rates, enabling rescue and working operations in hazardous environments. Head-worn design leaves hands free and allows users to enter contaminated or oxygen-deficient spaces to complete rescue work. Aimed at prison, detention, fire, and other rescue teams.
• EEBD Marine 15 Self-contained closed-circuit chemical oxygen rebreather providing 15 minutes of escape duration (60 minutes at rest) for marine applications. MED approved (UKCA and CE Wheelmark), fits existing ship storage brackets, includes visual viability indicator, and offers a 15-year shelf life. Targeted at ship operators, vessel owners, and naval buyers needing SOLAS-compliant escape sets.
• EEBD Industrial 20 Single-use industrial emergency escape device providing 20 minutes of escape duration, designed for quick donning and simple use in contaminated or oxygen-deficient environments. Targets industrial operators in chemical, pharmaceutical, water, and rail settings.
• HEAD15 RPE/CSRE Working Rescue Breathing Apparatus Specialised 15-minute chemical oxygen breathing protection for prison officers and detention centre staff conducting cell snatch rescue procedures. Uses a latex neck seal and oronasal mask with no fit test required, maintenance-free for 12 years with revalidation at 6 and 9 years. Targeted at prison services and contracted detention operators.
• HEAD Escape Breathing Apparatus Training Set Specially constructed replica of the HEAD Escape Breathing Apparatus for realistic, repetitive training. Can be worn and breathed through normally for hands-on familiarisation, with clear marking distinguishing it from operational sets. For organisations needing to deliver operator training internally.
• EEBD Training Set Replica Emergency Escape Breathing Device for training purposes, built for multiple sessions with an easy-to-clean mouthpiece and hose. Markings distinguish it from live operational sets. For organisations delivering EEBD training to ship crews and industrial personnel.
• HEAD Escape Set Alarm Trainer Simplified trainer replicating the audio and visual alarm stages of the HEAD Breathing Apparatus. Familiarises trainers and users with the three alarm stages (initiation, two-thirds duration warning, end-of-use) so they can recognise alerts during real-world use. Sold to training coordinators across sectors.
• EEBD Storage Bracket Wall-mounted bracket that enables quick, accessible storage of EEBD devices for emergency retrieval. Designed to integrate with existing shipboard and industrial mounting points. Sold alongside EEBD units to enterprises and ship operators.
• EEBD Belt Clips and Belt Carrying solution for EEBD devices; clips snap onto carry case for waist-mounted carry with belt, enabling hands-free wear for personnel who need to keep their EEBD on their person during shifts.
• Product Training Sessions Professional half-day and full-day training sessions delivered on-site or virtually covering use of Semmco LPS breathing apparatus. Includes use of dedicated training sets for realistic hands-on practice, helping customers achieve operator proficiency in line with the minimal-training product proposition.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12-year maintenance-free operational life with visual revalidation only at 6 and 9 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SMM HamburgminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 September 2026SMM 2026 maritime trade fair in Hamburg where Semmco LPS exhibited at Hall B1 Upper floor – 318 to showcase EEBD Marine products and share expertise in short duration escape breathing apparatus for the marine industry.
• G4ScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorG4S, a major security services provider, is a trusted customer of Semmco LPS for RPE/CSRE breathing apparatus used in prison security operations. G4S operates prison contracts requiring reliable breathing protection equipment.
• MitiecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMitie, a facilities management company, uses Semmco LPS breathing apparatus for detention centre support services. Represents the facilities management channel serving justice sector.
• SodexocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSodexo provides catering and facilities services to immigration detention centres, using Semmco LPS RPE equipment for officer safety during emergency procedures.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• MSA Safety: American safety equipment manufacturer with a major respiratory protection portfolio including SCBA and escape breathing devices. Competes directly with Semmco in industrial, fire service, and confined-space applications.
• Interspiro: Swedish manufacturer of breathing apparatus for fire, marine, and industrial applications including SCBA and EEBD products. Directly comparable in product category and target customer segments.
• Ocean Safety: UK-based marine safety equipment supplier offering EEBD, lifejackets, and survival equipment. Competitor in the UK marine safety market particularly for SOLAS-compliant escape devices.
• 3M Scott Fire & Safety: Division of 3M manufacturing SCBA, emergency escape breathing apparatus, and respiratory protection products. Direct competitor in fire service, marine, and industrial safety markets served by Semmco.
• SHIGEMATSU Works: Japanese manufacturer of respiratory protection equipment including SCBA and emergency escape breathing devices. Directly comparable in product category with presence in Asian marine and industrial markets.
• Drägerwerk AG: German safety and medical technology company and a global leader in respiratory protection, including SCBA and escape breathing apparatus for marine, fire, and industrial use. Direct competitor across Semmco's marine, industrial, and emergency response verticals.
• Avon Protection: UK-based specialist in respiratory and ballistic protection for military, law enforcement, and first responders. Comparable product lines in escape breathing apparatus and tactical respiratory protection, with overlapping government and defense customer base.
• Survitec Group: Global survival and safety solutions provider with marine safety equipment including EEBD products. Directly competes in Semmco's marine segment and offers broader safety and survival equipment.

Broad incumbents

• Honeywell Safety Products: Division of Honeywell manufacturing a broad portfolio of personal protective equipment including respiratory protection, gas detection, and head protection. Overlaps with Semmco's product line but offers a much wider safety portfolio.
• Sperian Protection (now Honeywell): Legacy respiratory protection brand now part of Honeywell's safety portfolio. Comparable in product category with established positions in SCBA and escape breathing apparatus for industrial and fire service markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/semmco-lps

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Semmco LPS