A fire blanket is a simple yet essential type of fire safety equipment expressly designed to tackle Class A (carbonaceous), Class B (flammable liquid), and Class F (oils and cooking fats) fires. Designed to withstand temperatures of up to 900 degrees Celsius, fire blankets are considered an essential safety measure for workplaces across Australia, and are required by law for installation in commercial kitchens, laboratories, workshops, and other environments with a higher risk of small fires involving flammable liquids or cooking fats.
Alongside correct installation and maintenance, it’s essential for you and your team to learn how to use a fire blanket correctly to make sure that this fire suppression system is as effective as possible in the event of a fire-related emergency.
Today, our team of fire safety specialists at Alexon break down how to properly use fire blankets, so you can be prepared and ensure safety in your home or workplace.
Fire blankets are a simple but powerful fire suppression system. They're made from layers of fire-resistant material, including woven glass fibre, and aramid fibres or silicone-coated fabrics that are non-combustible and able to smother fires fast. By smothering fires, fire blankets are able to cut off the supply of oxygen to quickly snuffle out flames.
According to our fire safety specialists, most small fires can be controlled early with the right equipment - if they’re caught quickly enough. That’s where fire extinguishers and blankets come in, but not every fire can be tackled with an extinguisher. Fires involving cooking oils and fats (known as Class F fires) burn at extremely high temperatures and aren’t suitable for extinguishers. This is why fire blankets were also developed to not only smother fires, but also to protect users from radiant heat when approaching flames.
As per AS/NZS 3504:2006, one of the Australian Fire Safety Standards that outline the requirements for fire blankets, fire blankets must measure at least 1 metre by 1 metre in size. These minimum size fire blankets are often referred to as ‘economy blankets’, and are suitable for most residential kitchens.
The different types of fire blankets available don’t just differ in size. Fire blankets are available in varying levels of thickness and material compositions as well.
Recommended for residential kitchens and smaller commercial cafe or office kitchens.
These fire blankets provide a slightly larger coverage area, making them suitable for larger residential or smaller commercial kitchens.
With a wider span, these fire blankets are suitable for commercial kitchens with 5-6+ burners, or laboratories and warehouses with risks of larger fires.
The largest of the standard fire blanket sizes, as outlined in AS/NZS 3504:2006, these fire blankets are suitable for commercial kitchens, laboratories, warehouses, or other commercial environments where there are risks of larger fires.
There are also car fire blankets which refer to AS2444:2001 covering portable fire equipment, not to AS/NZS 3504:2006 that relates specifically to the installation and maintenance of fixed fire blankets.
The most common material found in fire blankets, fibreglass is non-combustible and highly durable, making it an optimal material for fire blankets. Fibreglass blankets can, however, become brittle when exposed to heat over time, which is why routine fire blanket testing and maintenance is essential.
Renowned for their high heat resistance, aramid fibres are also durable and less susceptible to wear and tear when compared to fibreglass.
As well as providing increased heat resistance, silicone-coated fire blankets are also water resistant and reduce risks of irritation caused by fibreglass splintering. Their improved durability and performance against Class F fires make silicone-coated fire blankets ideal for larger commercial kitchen and laboratory environments.
Fire blankets are designed to be quick and easy to use, especially important in a high-stress situation. In the event of a fire, all it takes is a simple grab and pull of the handles to release the blanket from its wall-mounted container. As it drops, the fire blanket naturally folds over the user’s hands, offering protection from heat and flames while moving in to smother the fire.
Although fire blankets are expressly designed to be easy to use, it’s still essential to ensure you and your team are trained in not only how, but also when to use their fire blankets. Reviewing the instructions printed on your fire blanket container can help make sure your team can act correctly when needed.
In fact, reviewing simple safety equipment like fire blankets can be part of your Annual Fire Safety Statement process, helping ensure that everyone on-site knows what to do when every second counts.
Fire blankets are most commonly used in kitchens when dealing with cooking oil or grease fires. These types of Class F fires can become much more dangerous if exposed to water, but a fire blanket can smother the flames safely without making things worse.
In offices or homes, small electrical fires can happen too, maybe from an overloaded power board or a faulty appliance. In these cases, a fire blanket is a safe option as they do not conduct electricity.
Fire blankets are also really useful if someone’s clothes catch fire. You can wrap the person in the blanket to cut off the supply of oxygen and help put the flames out quickly. Here, fire blankets provide a fast, effective way to prevent serious burns, and in more serious situations, like if you need to move through a smoky or fire-affected area, wrapping yourself or someone else in a fire blanket can give you an extra layer of protection from the heat while you find a way out.
Before a fire emergency occurs, it’s essential that everyone in your home or workplace knows how to safely exit the building. In our experience, having a strong evacuation plan is always a good idea, with everyone knowing where the fire blanket is stored and how to use it.
Here’s a simple guide on how to properly use a fire blanket in an emergency.
If a fire breaks out in the kitchen or involves something like a toaster or stovetop, and it’s safe to do so, one of the first things you should try is switching off the heat or unplugging the appliance. Cutting the source of power helps make sure the fire doesn’t flare back up once it’s out.
Fires need heat to keep going, so taking that away, even after you’ve smothered the flames, gives you a better chance of stopping it for good. Just remember: only do this if you can reach the switch without putting yourself at risk. Staying safe is always the top priority.
When a fire breaks out, head straight to the spot where your fire blanket is stored - this might be in a kitchen cupboard, mounted on the wall, or in an easy-access drawer. Before you get too close to the fire, take a moment to protect your hands. In our experience, grip the corners or tabs of the blanket and fold the top edge back over your hands, almost like you're creating makeshift mitts. This extra layer helps shield your skin from the heat and gives you a more secure hold on the blanket.
Not only does this reduce your risk of burns, but it also gives you better control as you move in. With your hands protected and your grip steady, you’ll feel more confident getting close enough to safely smother the flames.
It’s important not to panic or rush - we know staying calm in an emergency will help you stay in control. When you're close enough, resist the urge to throw the blanket. It might feel like the faster option, but tossing it can leave gaps or even make the flames worse.
Instead, carefully place the blanket over the fire, starting from the edge closest to you and working forward to cover the entire flame. Make sure the blanket fully smothers the fire - this is key. The blanket acts like a seal that cuts off its air supply. If even a little bit of flame is exposed, it can keep burning or reignite. So our best recommendation is take your time to get full coverage and let the blanket smother effectively.
Do not attempt to move the blanket after covering the fire completely. Place the blanket over the fire for at least 30 minutes - we understand that even though this seems like a long time, it’s essential. This additional time allows the fire to burn out completely and prevents any remaining embers from reigniting.
You should resist checking too soon because taking off the blanket prematurely might let oxygen reach the fire, causing it to burst into flames unexpectedly in front of you.
It is important to contact your local fire brigade even when it appears that the fire has been fully extinguished. Fires may continue to smoulder and have hidden areas where they reignite even after we believe they have been extinguished. Your local fire officials will inspect the area to verify safety after arriving at the scene.
If your attempts to control the fire fail and it starts spreading further, you must act immediately. Leave the area at once to reach a secure location. As soon as you get to safety, call emergency services immediately.
You should dispose of a fire blanket after one-time usage. In compliance with Australian fire safety standard AS1851, used fire blankets must not be reused. While the fire blanket may appear undamaged externally, the materials inside could suffer damage from the fire, causing potential future performance issues.
Quickly purchasing a new fire blanket puts you in the right state of mind because you’ll know you’re ready for any emergency. Proper maintenance of your fire safety equipment helps ensure its readiness when emergencies arise.
At Alexon, we’re committed to making fire safety straightforward, and that includes making sure your fire blanket is ready when it counts. Fire blankets are an essential part of any safety kit, especially in kitchens, caravans, offices, and other high-risk spaces. But just having one handy isn’t enough.
Like all fire alarms and other safety equipment, fire blankets should be checked regularly to ensure they’re in good condition, properly stored, and like having a new fire extinguisher installed, compliant with Australian fire safety standards.
Routine fire blanket testing must involve visually inspecting fire blankets for signs of damage, checking the container and mounting, and ensuring everyone on-site knows where it is and how to use it. These routine checks are a small step that makes a big difference in the event of a fire-related emergency.
If you’re not sure whether your fire blanket is due for replacement or need guidance on best practice for testing and storage of fire blankets, contact our team at Alexon today. We’ll help you make sure you’re covered (literally) and give you peace of mind that your fire safety plan is up to scratch.
Complete the form to request a call
from a friendly Alexon team member.
