A fire blanket is one of the simplest pieces of fire equipment you can own. There is no gauge and there are no moving parts. It hangs on the wall in a pouch until the day it is needed.
What a fire blanket is
It is a sheet of fire-resistant fabric, folded into a wall-mounted pouch or box, usually with two tabs hanging out the bottom so it can be pulled free quickly. It works by covering a small fire and cutting off its air.
Kitchens are the usual home for one, because a small fire in a pan on the stove is the kind of fire it is suited to. Water is the wrong thing to throw on burning oil or fat, which is part of the reason blankets are so common in kitchens.
What it is for, and what it is not for
A fire blanket is for a small, contained fire that has just started. Think of a pan on the stove, not a fire that has reached the rangehood, the cupboards or the curtains.
Your own safety comes first, every time. A blanket is only worth reaching for if:
- the fire is small and is not spreading
- you can get to the blanket without going near the flames
- you have a clear way out
- you feel able to do it
If any of those is missing, leave it. Get everyone out and stay out. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
Nobody should feel they have to fight a fire at home. Getting out and calling for help is always a sound decision.
For guidance on how to use a fire blanket, go to Fire and Rescue NSW. It is worth reading before you ever need it. Read the instructions printed on the pouch of your own blanket as well, while things are calm.
Where to keep it
Placement matters more than people expect. The common mistake is to mount the blanket right beside or above the stove, because that is where the fire would be. The trouble is that you would have to reach over or past the fire to get it.
A better spot is:
- near the way out of the kitchen, so you collect it on the side of the fire that leads to the exit
- away from the stove and oven, and never above them
- at a height every adult in the house can reach
- in plain view, not inside a cupboard or behind the tea towels
- clear of hooks, aprons and shopping bags that end up hanging over it
Once it is up, make sure everyone in the house knows where it is and what it is for. The same goes for staff who use a workplace kitchen or tearoom.
Looking after it
A fire blanket needs very little attention, but a quick look now and then is worthwhile.
- Check it is still on the wall, in its pouch, with the tabs hanging free.
- Check nothing has been stored in front of it.
- Look for damage to the pouch, or grease and grime building up on it.
- Read the label for any instructions or dates from the manufacturer.
In a workplace, fire blankets are generally looked after along with the other fire equipment. Ask whoever services your extinguishers whether the blanket is on their list.
Replace it after use
Treat a fire blanket as a single-use item. Once it has been used on a fire, replace it, even if it looks fine. Heat and burning oil can damage the fabric in ways you can’t see, so don’t fold it back into the pouch.
It is also worth replacing one that is damaged, heavily soiled or missing its pouch. A blanket stuffed loose in a drawer is slow to find and slow to open.
If you would like advice on fire blankets or other equipment for a kitchen at work, V&H Fire Group can help between the Central Coast and Newcastle. Byron is on 0483 371 134.
This article is general information, not advice for your building. For what applies to your premises, talk to us on site.
