Fire blanket
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
A fire blanket is a piece of fire protection equipment made from fabric that can be used to control or extinguish small fires.
[edit] History
Conceptually, it’s difficult to determine the first time someone used a heavy piece of fabric to manage or extinguish a fire. One of the earliest patents for a fire blanket was filed in 1911 by Ephriam Bishop of Kingston, New York, who presented an example of a piece of heavy, flexible material (more than likely wool or felt) which had been “properly treated to fireproof.” Bishop then specified the supports and containment system for the fire blanket, but did not go into details regarding the fireproof treatment process.
In 1953, Theodore Harry Diacos of Chicago, Illinois filed another patent that specified “non-combustible material, preferably of a fabric somewhat light in nature, for which purpose I prefer the modern fiberglass materials.” (Fiberglass is also known as glass wool or glass fibre.)
Early fire blankets in the UK included asbestos, particularly up until the 1970's. Asbestos has since been phased out of modern fire blankets, but older ones should be decommissioned in accordance with modern regulations regarding hazardous waste. All asbestos containing materials and asbestos contaminated waste - including old fire blankets - must be disposed of in an Environment Agency licensed asbestos landfill site and carried by vehicles marked with hazardous waste signage.
Wool and leather fire blankets were also common.
[edit] Modern materials
As with earlier versions of this form of effective, yet low-tech fire prevention equipment, modern fire blankets also incorporate some type of fire resistant or fire retardant material. This material, which can withstand high temperatures, essentially cuts off oxygen to the fire in order to smother and extinguish the flames.
Glass fibre is still commonly used in fire blankets, but now is usually layered with other fire retardant materials rather than used as a single layer.
Kevlar (poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide) is also popular for its inherent heat-resistant characteristics. Kevlar is a low weight, high strength material that is stable at high temperature and whose fibres are five times stronger than steel per unit weight (in tension). It is used for heat- or flame-resistant fabrics. An inner layer of fire retardant film is incorporated into two layers of glass fibre or kevlar.
[edit] Uses
Fire blankets can help to smother and extinguish fires. They are easier to operate than other fire prevention devices, and can be particularly effective when a person’s clothing catches fire.
They are most commonly used in homes, laboratories, workshops or kitchens. They are suitable for small contained fires in Class A (flammable solids), B (flammable liquids) or F (cooking oils) fires, being tested on a container of 345mm diameter, 100mm depth and containing 3 litres of fuel. Fire blankets are not considered suitable for larger fires where the appropriate extinguisher should be provided. Fire blankets are also considered unsuitable for fires caused by flammable gases.
Most fire blankets are usually 1m x 1m or 1.2m x 1.2m.
There are larger fire blankets available for use on clothing fires, from 1.2 x 1.8m size up to 1.8 x 1.8m .
Fire blankets should be placed close to areas where a fire is most likely to occur, but not where it would be dangerous to reach (e.g. over a cooker that may have a burning pan on it).
[edit] Care and regulations
Fire blankets should be permitted to cool after being used, and should be disposed of properly. Fire blankets should be inspected at least annually and replaced after they are used. They also have a maximum lifespan of 7 years
'BS EN 1869:2019 Fire blankets' specifies requirements for fire blankets used to control small fires. The standard indicates that the blankets should not be reused after being deployed in a fire extinguishing capacity. The guidance recommends indoor use only. The 2019 standard replaces BS EN 1869:1997 and adds a test on a Class B fire and traceability/batch marking requirements. Prior to that, fire blankets were covered under BS 6575:1985.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
Grenfell Tower fire – eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.