Abstract: A gas generator or inflator 10 preferably contains a housing 12 formed from welding a cap 14 and a base 16 in nested and coaxial relationship. Welding a first wall 15 of the cap 14 with an adjoining and substantially coextensive second wall 17 of the base 16 forms a structural girth. An annulus 36 is preferably formed centrally within the cap 14 thereby providing a seat for an igniter mount 22. An igniter mount 22 is fixed within the annulus 36, and houses an igniter 18 fixed therein.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing and fire retarding method is provided comprising the step of confining a fire extinguishing and fire retarding agent in slurry, liquid or gaseous form within a shell wherein the shell comprises such an agent in solid form. An agent such as ice water, or liquid carbon dioxide is useful when employing the shell as “non-lethal” device. The solid shell is sublimable and will burst upon impact or upon exposure to the environmental conditions at the target site to release the contents of the shell as well as the fragments of the shell onto the target site.