At Firechief® Global, we’re committed to a world where fire safety isn’t just a goal—it’s a given. As the landscape of mobility evolves with the rapid rise in popularity of electric vehicles (EVs), it brings unique fire safety challenges. Germany recently introduced the DIN SPEC 91489 draft as a groundbreaking standard for fire protection blankets in electric vehicle fires. This new standard will likely influence the future development of similar pan-EU and UK standards in this increasingly important risk area.

This blog will take you through the significance of this standard and the key points of understanding.

It’s worth noting that the term "fire blanket" doesn’t quite capture the full story regarding EV fires. Lithium-ion battery fires are not extinguished simply by cutting off oxygen; they are (to some extent) self-oxygenating, meaning they can reignite themselves. This blog uses the term 'fire blanket' as it's commonly understood.

Why Electric Vehicle Fires Require a New Approach

Although EV manufacturers prioritise safety, lithium-ion battery fires from accidents or technical faults present unique challenges for first responders and firefighters. These fires are extremely hot, and intense and can reignite even after appearing to be extinguished. That’s why a reliable, standardised fire protection blanket is crucial for handling EV fires efficiently.

Why Are Standards So Important?

The introduction of DIN SPEC 91489 is a game-changer for several reasons:

1. A Known Safety Standard: Before this draft, there wasn’t any specific standard for fire blankets used in electric vehicle fires. The DIN SPEC 91489 sets clear, uniform safety benchmarks that manufacturers must meet, ensuring products are effective and reliable when you need them most.
2. User Protection: When tackling a lithium-ion battery fire, fire blankets must work as intended. This standard helps ensure that products carrying the certification have undergone rigorous testing, providing greater peace of mind to both emergency responders and bystanders.
3. A Collaborative Approach: Experts from the automotive industry, fire safety, and disaster control collaborated to develop the standard. This broad range of input creates an effective, practical solution, ensuring fire blankets meet the task and the standard's purpose.
4. Product Comparability: With a recognised standard in place, it’s easy to compare fire blankets across the market. This makes it simpler for users to identify the most suitable option for handling EV fires, and specify a certified product that they can have confidence in.

Key Requirements of DIN SPEC 91489

The draft lays out essential requirements that fire blankets must meet, focusing on three critical areas:

1. Thermal Resistance: Fire blankets are exposed to temperatures cycling between 700°C and 1000°C over a prolonged test period. To pass, they must withstand both direct flame exposure and indirect heat with extinguishing agents (like water), without any holes or seam failure, and without allowing flames to escape for more than 5 seconds.
2. Mechanical Stability: This ensures the blanket's durability during deployment. The blanket must pass tests for cut resistance, withstanding forces greater than 5N for medium protection and over 15N for high protection. The stability of loops, seams, and eyelets is also rigorously checked to ensure they remain intact during use.
3. Chemical Resistance: Given that EV accidents can involve a mix of chemicals like oil, grease, water, extinguishing agents, and battery acids, the fire blanket must be resistant to these substances to remain effective in a real-world scenario.

Essential Information for Users

The draft also specifies that manufacturers must provide detailed information sheets, including model details, material specifications, cleaning instructions, and usage tips. Clear pictograms should be included to ensure safe and effective use during an emergency.

Why This Matters for You

The introduction of DIN SPEC 91489 marks a significant step towards improving safety in EV fires. As the use of electric vehicles continues to grow, having clear standards ensures that fire protection blankets are reliable, effective, and ready to perform when it matters most. At Firechief® Global, we’re dedicated to staying ahead of these developments and our range of specialist lithium-ion vehicle fire blankets has successfully passed the DIN SPEC 91489 testing protocol. With these fire blankets, we have developed a proactive approach ensures that when the heat is on, you have the fire safety solutions you can trust.

View the full standard here.