At Firechief® Global we’ve always set the highest standards for products and customer service. This has never been more evident than with our expanding range of EV fire blankets which have achieved DIN SPEC 91489 certification.
As electric vehicle (EV) adoption continues to rise, so does the need for cutting-edge fire safety standards. This (still) emerging market continues to present new challenges to manufacturers and firefighters alike, meaning that it has never been more important to deliver only the highest-quality and most reliable fire safety products, such as our EV fire blankets.
The DIN SPEC 91489 framework was developed in Germany and sets the benchmark for fire blankets specifically designed to handle high-intensity Lithium-ion battery fires which are becoming increasingly common due to their widespread adoption in everyday devices, including EVs.
At Firechief® we’re proud to lead the way with a collection of EV fire blankets that have been meticulously researched and developed, then rigorously tested to meet this critical standard. All of our EV fire blankets are independently tested in extreme temperatures and while monitoring toxic off-gassing, ensuring compliance with DIN SPEC 91489 – the gold (and only) standard for EV fire blankets. This isn’t just a badge that’s nice to have, however. It is peace of mind for every customer and assurance of proven performance when the heat is on and safety matters most.
Why EV fire blanket standards are important
It’s easy to say that you aim for the highest standard when it comes to products and services, but when it comes to safety no other standard is good enough.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the number of new cars sold in the UK rose by 2.6% in 2024 to 1.95m if which 19.6% were electric. This is an increase of 3.1% year-on-year which shows the shift from internal combustion to electric, making the UK one of the world leaders for EV adoption, but still behind the likes of Norway and China.
Of course, this increase in sales also generates an increased risk of fires. While data does suggest that internal combustion vehicles are twenty times more likely to catch fire than electric vehicles, the risk is still – and will always be – present. According to data collected by QBE in 2023 and published by the British Safety Council, 921 fires in the UK were attributed to Lithium-ion batteries – of which 125 involved EVs. This makes the need for quality, reliable EV fire safety products vitally important, along with gold standard certification for quality and performance, as achieved by the Firechief® range of EV fire blankets.
What is the difference between BS EN 1869:2019 and DIN SPEC 91489?
Since the release of DIN SPEC 91489, there are now two main fire blanket standards for customers to be aware of.
The first, and the older of the two, is BS EN 1869:2019 which, according to BSI, is “a European Standard that specifies requirements for fire blankets that are not reusable and that are intended for use by one person. The main objective is to ensure fire blankets offer optimal protection during a fire emergency and this applies to fire blankets usable to control small fires.”
Examples of products that have achieved this particular standard include the Firechief® soft case fire blanket and the Firechief® rigid case fire blanket which are available in a range of colours and sizes and are suitable for use in domestic and commercial kitchens.
The second standard is, of course, DIN SPEC 91489. This was introduced in 2024 and was specifically developed for EV fire blankets as, before its launch, there was no official standard in place for fire blankets used in electric vehicle fires. An example of a product that has achieved DIN SPEC 91489 certification is the Firechief® car fire blanket which is suitable for all vehicle types but tested and developed around EVs.
How do EV fire blankets work?
Put in the simplest terms, an EV fire blanket works by cutting off the oxygen supply to the fire, thereby preventing the flames from spreading to other vehicles, buildings or objects.
A key part of the fire triangle, you cannot have a fire without oxygen and by cutting off the supply the fire will be suppressed and extinguished.
In an ideal situation, the fire blanket should always be used by two trained people, placing the blanket on the ground and rolling it out. Then, the two people should take hold of the handles, pulling the blanket up and over the vehicle ensuring that it is tight to the ground all the way around before leaving it in place until firefighters arrive to deal with the fire professionally.
Click here if you’d like to see how to use an EV fire blanket on our YouTube channel, or watch the video below.
The Firechief® range features fire safety products and equipment including fire extinguishers, fire blankets, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, signs and fire safety bundles. 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 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.