Everything You Need To Know About Fire Blankets

Fire safety in any building is only as strong as the knowledge and equipment you provide. The more suitable the equipment, and the better the understanding of how to appropriately use it, the more chance you have of stemming the spread of fire and keeping people safe.

It’s with this in mind that this month at Fire Safety Equipment, we wanted to give you a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about fire blankets.

As just one of many essential pieces of fire safety equipment, the people in your building must know what fire blankets are and what they’re for. We’ll also cover additional topics like where they should be located and how often they need replacing.

What are fire blankets used for?

Fire blankets should only be used on small fires in an emergency. They are great for quickly extinguishing flames in commercial settings, predominantly in kitchens where Class F fires (involving cooking oils, for example) are more common.

You can also use a fire blanket to smother fires in small waste bins or within textile fires, but you should only use them if you feel confident you can tackle it safely. Never attempt to smother a fire if you are not sure how to use the fire blanket, or if the fire has become too large — in these instances, you should raise the alarm, evacuate safely and alert the local fire and rescue services.

How do fire blankets work?

Fire blankets work as a fire-resistant sheet that can be placed over flames. Because they’re made from specially woven fibreglass, along with a fire-retardant coating applied, they can cut off the oxygen supply of a fire quickly and easily.

By removing oxygen from the fire triangle formula (oxygen, heat and fuel) you can stop a fire before it has a chance to spread further. This makes fire blankets useful to have within quick reach.

You can read more advice on when to use fire blankets and extinguishers in our recent article.

How to use a fire blanket

Depending on the type of fire you’re faced with, including what materials are involved and where the fire is located, there are different ways of using a fire blanket.

The following are general steps for how to use a fire blanket, but always be aware of any unique risks in each situation.

Turn off any heat source, such as gas cooker rings, where safe to do so
Locate the fire blanket and pull the tapes downwards to release it
Hold the blanket in a way that covers your hand to protect yourself
Calmly place the blanket over the flames to smother the fire
Leave the blanket in place to cool the area and ensure flames are fully extinguished

Where should fire blankets be located?

As a rule of thumb, you should locate fire blankets in your building within the rooms where any potential fire may occur. This could be within a kitchen or other room, but it should be affixed to the wall, slightly removed from where the main risks are. This is to ensure you can safely reach the equipment if a fire does start.

What size fire blanket do I need?

Fire blankets come in a range of sizes, so it’s important to consider the risks that you’re faced with in your premises. The following are our key sizes for standard fire blankets:

Heavy-duty lithium battery fire blankets are also available in the following sizes

When should fire blankets be replaced?

Fire blankets are not subject to any specific laws in terms of how often you should replace them. Instead, you should adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines, which usually recommend replacing your fire blanket every five to seven years.

It should go without saying that if your fire blanket has been used – or has been damaged – then it should be replaced straight away to ensure you have adequate equipment on hand in an emergency.

Here at Fire Safety Equipment, we stock a wide range of fire blankets to help you keep your premises safe. From offices and HMOs to warehouses and commercial kitchens, we only provide quality equipment, all with fast, free delivery in the UK and a five-year guarantee.

Browse our fire blankets range online and place your order today for speedy service on all your essential fire safety equipment.