Fire Blanket Safety Information

A fire blanket is a simple, effective piece of fire safety equipment that should be in every home and office. It is your go-to equipment for small, enclosed fires like a pot of oil on fire. Let’s discuss what they are and how to use them so you can understand their importance in your fire armoury.

What Is A Fire Blanket?

A fire blanket is a 1.8 m x 1.8 m sheet of woven fibreglass. Its composition makes it significantly fire-resistant but not fire-proof. It is enclosed in a sturdy pouch and should be wall-mounted in the home or office. It is effective up to 900 degrees Celsius. House fires are estimated to reach between 800 and 900 degrees Celsius.

How Does This Safety Equipment Fight A Fire?

The fire-fighting action of the fire blanket is to restrict oxygen (fuel) from the fire by smothering it. As the tightly woven fibreglass is not permeable, it cuts off the oxygen supply when placed over the contained fire and the fire burns itself out. Timing is imperative in the early application of this equipment.

How Do You Use The Fire Blanket?

The sturdy pouch has one or two fabric tabs or handles protruding from the bottom. These should be grabbed and firmly tugged to free the blanket from the pouch. The blanket should fall over your hands ‒ this is the correct way to keep it to protect your hands from being burnt. If there is a mechanical source of heat, e.g. a stove plate or gas burner, turn it off before reaching for the blanket ONLY IF you do not run the risk of being burnt. Release the blanket from the pouch. Raise your hands and arms with a piece of the blanket folded back over your hands. This is your shield from the fire. Slowly approach the fire and place the blanket over the fire in the most controlled manner that you can. Allow for cooling time and ensure the fire is completely out. You can also use your fire blanket to save a person whose clothing has caught on fire. Get the person to lie on the ground and wrapping the ignited area within the blanket to smother the fire. Lying down is important because fire burns and climbs upwards, so a horizontal attitude forces the fire to remain in one spot and removes the risk of hair catching on fire or burns to the face.

When Should You Not Use The Fire Blanket?

If the fire is contained but the height of the flames or the width of the containment is larger than your fire blanket, then this is not the right application for a fire blanket. The use of a portable fire extinguisher would be more appropriate. A water fire extinguisher is not suitable for oil fires, so talk to our fire experts about the right extinguisher for specific areas. Get in touch with Fyrepower today to order your fire safety equipment.