Fire blankets like these 1.2 and 1.8 metre square version are a simple but effective
fire extinguishing device manufactured in flame proof materials, typically containing
glass wool cloaked in a fire proof plastic envelope.
For storage purposes and to keep the unit compact and unobtrusive fire blankets come
folded and pre-packed in a protective rigid plastic case or in a soft plastic sleeve like
this 1metre square economy blanket.
The containers are provided with a hanging loop or fixed anchor points for wall mounting
adjacent the fire risk.
In the home kitchen where wall hanging may be obtrusive the blanket can be hung on the
inside of a kitchen cupboard door or stored in a drawer close to the cooking area provided
the location is positioned for easy access in a fire emergency.
To use a fire blanket you first remove it from its protective container using the quick
release pull tapes provided.
This is faster and easier to do if the outer container is fixed.
Unfold the blanket to its full extent.
Next using both hands grip the top adjacent corners on one side of the blanket so that
no part of your hands or body is facing the fire side of the blanket.
Raise the blanket so it hangs in front of you and approach the fire.
Once you are close enough place the blanket over the fire or allow it fall gently to completely
cover the source of the fire.
Throwing the fire blanket from distance is not a good idea as for one thing you may miss
the target in your panic and secondly the whoosh of displaced air may spread the fire.
If possible pat down the edges of the blanket onto any adjacent hard surface to minimise
any air flow to the fire.
Leave the blanket in place for at least 10 minutes to be sure the fire is completely
out and the temperature of the remaining materials have cooled.
Cooking fats in particular are prone to spontaneously reignite if the liquid is still hot when air
is reintroduced.
Normally fire blankets are not reusable if the outer sleeve has been significantly damaged
by the fire.
Fire blankets provide an alternative to class F fire extinguishers for combatting cooking
oil and fat fires.
Chip pan fires are one of the most common causes of fire in the home so unless you are
prepared to invest in an ABF or wet chemical fire extinguisher a fire blanket is the only
economical alternative.
In large commercial kitchens and food retail outlets fire blankets are used just as effectively
to extinguish fires in large deep fat fryers and hobs.
Fire blankets may be most commonly used in kitchens - However because the blanket works
by smothering the fire and creating a non-combustible barrier from the oxygen in the air they also
have wider applications for extinguishing Class A and Class B fires such as burning
waste baskets, solid fuel fires, barbeques, electrical equipment, and flammable liquid
fires.
In fact most businesses would be well advised to have at least one fire blanket on the premises
to counter small accidental fires without the cost and potential mess of using a fire
extinguisher.
A fire blanket, particularly the larger sizes, can also be used as a fire proof protective
body wrap to shield you from a fire and aid your safe escape.
This is doubly useful in confined high risk areas such as boats, caravans, cars and motorhomes.
This overall versatility and the ability to deploy the blanket in seconds surely makes
a fire blanket the most cost effective fire safety device available.
For assurance on the quality look out for the Kitemark to BSEN 1869:1997 and BAFE approval.
And remember when it comes to your safety come to fireandsafetycentre dot co dot uk.