Originally published on 16 April 2021, updated 9 December 2024
A fire blanket is an adaptable and flexible piece of fire-fighting equipment. It can be used for more than just extinguishing a cooking fire, it can also be used to smother the flames on a person whose clothes have caught fire for example.
A sheet of flame retardant material designed to extinguish small fires as soon as they start, fire blankets are made of either fibreglass or woven-nylon coated material with a silicone-based flame retardant. They work by stopping the airflow to the fire, starving it of oxygen – one of the vital ingredients that a fire needs to keep burning.
Fire Blankets for domestic use
Fire Blankets for use in kitchens and around the home are folded and stored in a quick, easy-release container which enables the blanket to be pulled out and placed over a fire to smother it. Â Ideally, a fire blanket should be mounted on the wall to assist easy release and (generally speaking) should be replaced every five years to ensure the flame retardant coating is still effective.
Having a fire blanket in a kitchen provides homeowners with peace of mind. If a pan catches light when cooking, under no circumstances should water be poured onto the flames. This will result in the fire spreading rapidly, often resulting in devastating consequences.
Instead, you should use a fire blanket big enough to cover the full area of the fire, thereby cutting off the supply of oxygen to the flames.
Fire Blankets for commercial use
For restaurant kitchens and those in office and commercial premises, a fire blanket will have been specified as part of the fire safety measures for the building. For fires in commercial kitchens, it is also recommended to have a wet chemical fire extinguisher at hand as these are the only type of fire extinguisher designed specifically for use on fires in the kitchen involving volume of cooking oil as in deep fat fryers.
A hard case fire blanket is preferable in a commercial kitchen as it is better protected against the constant coating of grease in the atmosphere which will be caused by frying.Â
The hard case fire blanket is also easier to clean down in this environment. Fire blankets in commercial kitchens need to be replaced more often than every 5 years because of the potential damage from the grease and oil.
How to use a Fire Blanket
- Turn off the source of heat if it is safe to do so
- Pull the fire blanket out of its container and stretch it out fully, ensuring it will cover the size of the fire
- Keep the blanket at arm’s length and using the tabs on the edge, hold it up to shield you from the flames and heat
- When approaching the fire look over the top of the blanket so you maintain a clear view
- Cover the burning pan with the blanket to smother the flames. It is important to place (not throw) the blanket over the pan
- Leave the blanket in place for at least 30 minutes (often up to 1 hour) before removing to avoid the risk of re-ignition
- After putting the blanket on the flames you should leave the room, shut the door, and call 999
Firechief Fire Blankets come in a range of sizes and are manufactured from either K40 or K100 glass fibre cloth, both equally effective. All our Fire Blankets are kitemark certified to BS EN 1869 and carry a 5-year guarantee for peace of mind.
The Firechief® range includes high-performance fire blankets for home, commercial and leisure use. For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.
Disclaimer
The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult any and all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and where felt necessary to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader's risk.