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Fire blanket being used to smother flames Extinguishing of a fire with a fire blanket Fire blanket cabinetA fire blanket is a safety device designed to extinguish incipient (starting) fires. It consists of a sheet of a fire retardant material that is placed over a fire in order to smother it.
Small fire blankets, such as for use in kitchens and around the home are usually made of glass fiber and sometimes kevlar, and are folded into a quick-release contraption for ease of storage. Larger fire blankets, for use in laboratory and industrial situations, are often made of wool &#; sometimes treated with a flame retardant chemical such as hexafluorozirconate and zirconium acetate.[1] These blankets are usually mounted in vertical quick-release containers so that they can be easily pulled out and wrapped round a person whose clothes are on fire.
Fire blankets, along with fire extinguishers, are fire safety items that can be useful in case of a fire. These nonflammable materials are stable in temperatures up to °C for Nextel ceramic fibres,[2] °C for glass fibers,[3] Kevlar (480 °C),[4] and wool (570 °C).[5] These are useful in smothering fires by reducing the amount of oxygen available to the fire. Due to its simplicity, a fire blanket may be more helpful for someone who is inexperienced with fire extinguishers.
Dangers
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Asbestos in old blankets
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Some older fire blankets were made of woven asbestos fibres and are not NFPA rated. This can pose a hazard during the decommissioning of old equipment.[6][7]
Extinguishing oil/fat fires
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After initial investigation in , and later in , the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority issued a statement that fire blankets should never be used to extinguish an oil/fat fire such as a chip pan fire, even if the icons or text on the blanket indicates the blanket may be used in such a case.[8][9][10] This includes fire blankets which have been tested according to BS EN .[11] In the investigation out of the 22 tested fire blankets, 16 of the fire blankets themselves caught fire. In the other 6 the fire reignited when the blanket was removed after 17 minutes. The Dutch Fire Burn foundation reported[12] several accidents involving the use of fire blankets when extinguishing oil/fat fires. Consumers may send in their existing fire blankets, which will then receive a sticker stating 'niet geschikt voor olie- en vetbranden' ("not suitable for oil and grease fires"). New products will have this text printed, rather than stickered.[13]
Operation
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For a fire to burn, all three elements of the fire triangle must be present: heat, fuel and oxygen. The fire blanket is used to cut off the oxygen supply to the fire, thereby putting it out. The fire blanket must be sealed closely to a solid surface around the fire. Fire blankets usually have two pull down tails visible from outside the packaging. The user should place one hand on each tag and pull down simultaneously removing the blanket from the bag. The tails are located near the top of the fire blanket which allows the top lip of the fire blanket to fold back over the users' hands, protecting them from heat and direct contact burns. Cover the fire with the fire blanket, and it will help cut the oxygen supply and extinguish the fire. You can also use this method when a part of the body catches fire. The fire blanket must be sealed closely to a solid surface around the fire.[14]
Electric vehicles fires
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EV fires can be extremely difficult to extinguish as lithium batteries can self-reignite. "Up to 150 000 liters of water needed to put out a fire in an electric car ...Teslas may take up to 30,000-40,000 gallons of water, maybe even more, to extinguish the battery pack once it starts burning..."[15] However, a typical larger fire truck carries only a few thousand liters of water.
A fire blanket is so large that a burning vehicle can be completely covered with it (typical size is e.g. 6 m x 9 m to cover large SUVs) - and are extremely heat-resistant ( to + degrees). Also one has to consider the difference between allowed short-term peak temperature and long-term temperature.[16]
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By putting on a fire blanket, the flames are supposed to be smothered. In a fire test with the fire brigade, experts from the ADAC[17],the General German Automobile Club, were able to see how the fire blanket actually significantly delays the development of the fire and thus increases the fire brigade's scope for action.
The use of the fire blanket can prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent vehicles or surrounding objects - which is of great importance in an underground car park, for example.
In addition, the removal of an electric vehicle that has been involved in an accident or has been extinguished can be secured with a fire blanket. Another field of application of the blanket is the quarantine of crashed electric cars at an accident site of towing companies or workshops.
Maintenance
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The Fire Industry Association (FIA) publish a "Code of Practice for the Commissioning and Maintenance of Fire Blankets Manufactured to BS EN ".[18] The FIA's code of practice recommends that the responsible person ensures that such fire blankets are subject to annual maintenance by a competent service provider. It also recommends that consideration should be given to the replacement of fire blankets after seven years from the date of commissioning (or as otherwise specified by the fire blanket's manufacturer).
See also
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References
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While handy for extinguishing small fires, they aren't a substitute for solid prevention strategies or good safety habits, says Burlington Fire Department
The fire department has been getting a lot of questions about what we think about fire blankets.
As we head into the holiday and gift-buying season, more and more people are seeing advertisements for this product and are wondering what exactly they are, how they work and if they are as effective as the commercials claim.
Here&#;s our take:
A fire blanket is made from fire-resistant material, usually woven fibreglass. They work by smothering the fire and cutting off its oxygen supply.
While they may be a helpful tool to extinguish small and contained fires, they may not be suitable for larger or more intense fires. As with any product available on the market, buyers need to be cautious and aware of product risks and limitations before making any purchase.
First and foremost, the focus should be on fire prevention strategies &#; adopting fire-safe habits and reducing risks at home, including having working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and a family home escape plan.
Think of fire blankets as one tool in the home safety toolbox. They are designed to smother small fires, preventing them from spreading further and are typically made from non-toxic, fire- resistant materials. However, as with any product on the market, not all are manufactured with the same materials, quality standards and certification.
The online market can be flooded with counterfeit or substandard products. Considering the quality of the fire blankets being sold is something to keep top of mind if considering buying one for your home or as gifts. It's essential to ensure that the product meets Canadian safety standards and regulations so always purchase from a reputable and reliable source.
Check the product for a certification label and be sure to read the manufacturer&#;s instructions before use. While they may be relatively easy to use if they are kept in an easily accessible spot, there&#;s always a chance of user error and product malfunction, which may not extinguish the fire and could lead to injury. To use on a fire, you must move close to the fire, making your hands particularly vulnerable. Plus, you will likely have one shot at putting the fire out; if the blanket doesn&#;t work and the fire is not extinguished on your first attempt you can&#;t necessarily retrieve it.
Knowing the facts about any safety product requires some homework and buyer discretion, especially when product marketers make bold, sweeping claims to get your attention and into your wallet. Take the time to research the product and read reviews from other customers to gauge its effectiveness and reliability. There is no silver bullet when it comes to fire safety.
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