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All About Fire Blankets and How to Use Them

December 14, 2021

How to Use a Fire Blanket. A Handy Guide

Fire blankets are simple yet powerful fire fighting equipment. But how do you use one?

Fire is an unpredictable force of combustion that can have destructive effects. It is hot, and its heat is more threatening than flames. In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can turn into a major fire – and within that time frame, you need to act to survive.

In the event of an open fire, there are go-to tools for fire safety, including fire blankets.

This post will give you quick pointers on how to use one. As you read ahead, you will also be introduced to the basics of this fire protection piece.

Fire Blankets Explained

These are no ordinary blankets. Fire blankets are high-resistant fabrics designed to extinguish small fires. They are blanket-like sheets made of wool or woven fibreglass fabric. The inner layers are made of fire retardant film, which is a flame-resistant chemical.

This long, rectangular piece of cloth can also be wrapped around a person who catches on fire. It helps smother the flames to protect the individual and before the fire spreads and causes further damage.

But keep in mind that this alternative is not for fighting a fire that is already spreading. It is always best to pair them with fire extinguishers for emergency purposes.

How do fire blankets work?

Oxygen is not flammable, but fire needs it to burn. Just about 16% of it, paired with fuel, and there is fire. To smother the flame, you need a tool that can reduce the amount of oxygen available. This is where fire blankets come into play.

Fire blankets are nonflammable and provide enough barriers for heat and oxygen. This leads them to a simple working principle: put out the fire by depriving it of oxygen.

The protective covers come with instructions guiding the user to extract the blanket. The common way to do so is the ‘simple grab and pull the handles’ method. This makes fire blankets straightforward to use even without any special training. But familiarising yourself with the instructions beforehand helps.

Generally, they are mounted on a wall nearby where they might be needed, such as in the kitchen.

Fire Blankets vs Fire Extinguishers

When it comes to kitchen fires, you may be wondering what is better: a fire blanket or an extinguisher. Your choice will depend on the type of fire, but both are capable of putting down such small fires.

To differentiate, fire extinguishers are best known for ‘tackling’ a range of fires. They work on fires involving flammable liquids, gasses, and electrical equipment.

There is a fire extinguisher for different structures and threats. The smaller units are ideal for vehicles, and home or office use. Whereas the larger ones suit bigger areas like warehouses.

The range also varies with its size and capacity. The larger it is, the heavier it will be. But all are one-use items and must be replaced or recharged after every use. Moreover, using one does call for training. The cleaning required after using one is something to consider, too.

Fire blankets, in contrast, are an excellent option for ‘containing’ fires. Although not ideal for a fire that has spread already, they make for excellent self-protection.

For instance, if a person’s hair or clothing is on fire. Wrapping them up in a fire blanket will extinguish the building flame. To minimise burns and injury, the “stop, drop, and roll” method helps. With proper training, anyone can perform this technique in no time.

Fire blankets are also helpful if the person involved is not physically able to move due to:

  • Age
  • Medical condition
  • Physical limitations

A fire extinguisher is a better choice when you cannot get close to the fire. Meanwhile, a fire blanket is safer for smothering smaller fires, be it on appliances or humans. Regardless, it is best to have both nearby in case of an emergency.

How to Use Fire Blankets

Should you ever have to do so in an emergency at home or work, you must know the correct ways of using one. You also need to be confident that it will do its job.

There are different techniques and processes to follow depending on the nature of the fire. But below is the standard:

  1. Turn off the heat source if it is safe to do so (i.e. gas or electricity supply)
  2. Remove the fire blanket from its container
  3. Hold the blanket in a shield position and by the fabric straps
  4. Place the fire blanket over the flame to smother the blaze
  5. Cover the whole area to cut off the airflow
  6. Leave it to cool entirely and ensure the fire is fully extinguished

Things to consider

  • If the fire is larger than the blanket, do not attempt to put it out.
  • Do not touch the fire blanket or anything underneath it. Wait for at least 60 minutes after the fire has been extinguished.

Also, ensure everyone knows where the fire blanket is stored and how to remove it from the packaging. Add a sign alongside the blanket for easy identification.

Now, for someone whose clothing has ignited, here is what you should do. Wrap the person in the blanket to diminish the flame. Being horizontal helps prevent the flame from reaching the victim’s face and hair.

Fire blanket regulations state that your fire blanket should be Australian Standards approved. AS/NZS 3504:2006 – Fire blankets. One also must measure no less than 1 metre by 1 metre, as per FEMS.

The Bottom Line

Ideally, every home should have a fire blanket, particularly in the kitchen. Garages, exit areas, and somewhere with high chances of a fire breakout are also worth noting. Overall, ensure fire blankets are easily accessible.

We hope this quick guide has given you enough tips on how to use fire blankets effectively.


© Wiltronics Research Pty Ltd 2021


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