fire blanket

A fire blanket is a sheet of woven fire-resistant material designed to extinguish small fires. Fire blankets are usually made from woven fibreglass and work by smothering the fire and cutting off its oxygen supply. Fire blankets are stored in a wall-mounted case or pouch for quick access in a fire emergency.

Fire blankets are usually used for putting out small fires in or around the kitchen and are particularly useful for Class F fires involving cooking oils. They can also be used for waste bin fires and to extinguish clothing fires. Fire blankets are suitable for use in the home, commercial and public environments.

Fire blankets should be located in or near a kitchen but not too close to the fire hazard, as a fire may prevent you accessing the fire blanket. They are best fixed to the wall in an easily identifiable location. Fire blankets should be installed as an additional precaution alongside an appropriate fire extinguisher

In a business or public setting, fire blankets should be commissioned when they are first installed and serviced annually to check they are well maintained. The fire blanket should be visually inspected to make sure it is not damaged or worn and is clean. The blanket must be replaced in the container according to the manufacturers instructions in order that it can be swiftly deployed if needed.

There is no set time that a fire blanket can be used for although it is usual to replace a fire blanket every 7 years from the date of purchase. You should refer to the manufacturers guidelines for when to replace the blanket. If the fire blanket is damaged or used to put out a fire it should be replaced immediately