If a site already meets fire compliance standards, does adding fire blankets help?
Fire blankets do help improve fire safety, but they only cover gaps where extinguishers and alarms are limited. Here’s a look at when they make a difference and when they don’t.
Key Takeaways
Fire blankets don’t replace fire-compliant systems
They’re used for small, contained fires and clothing fires
Their effectiveness depends on placement and basic training
What Do Fire Blankets Do in a Fire
A fire blanket smothers small and contained fire by cutting off oxygen. It’s most effective for:
Small Class A fires (paper, fabric)
Small Class B fires (flammable liquids)
Cooking-related fires
Fires involving clothing or hair
No pressure, chemicals, or aiming needed. If the fire is safe to reach, the blanket can be used straight away. On a compliant work area, that can mean action is taken before fire alarms escalate or fire extinguishers are used.
When Fire Blankets Improve Safety
Fire blankets aren’t a replacement for main fire protection systems, but they come in handy as an extra measure in:
Early, contained fire situations
In kitchens, labs, workshops, and electrical maintenance areas, fires start small but can intensify in a short time if there’s no immediate action. Fire blankets are used in these early moments.
This helps in two ways:
It gives a faster response at the point of ignition.
It helps limit fire spread while further action is being taken, like isolating the hazard.
However, timing is critical. Fire blankets allow immediate response when quick physical action is possible.
In confined or sensitive areas
In tight spaces or around sensitive equipment or materials, using a powder or CO₂ extinguisher can create side effects like residue, reduced visibility, or contaminate nearby surfaces.
Fire blankets cover the fire at the point of ignition. Nothing is discharged around the area, keeping everything contained. This is useful where nearby equipment or finished surfaces need to be protected, such as electrical systems or completed work areas.
Fire on clothing
Fire blankets aren’t just for putting out fires on equipment or surfaces. They can also be used if someone’s clothing catches fire.
If that happens, the blanket is wrapped around the person to put the flames out. This fits in areas where people work near heat sources, open flames, or flammable materials.
Where Fire Blankets Are Less Effective
Fire blankets are used as support, not as the primary defense. They are limited to usage, including:
Large or spreading fires (fire covering a wide area rather than a single point)
Fires involving gases or pressurised systems (flames from a gas cylinder or pipe)
Situations requiring distance between user and fire (if the risk is too high at close range)
Instead, these fire safety solutions are employed alongside appropriate protection equipment (PPE) and well-planned emergency procedures.
Why Training Still Matters
A fire blanket is only useful if people know when it should and shouldn’t be used. Without the basic know-how, people are more likely to hesitate, use the blanket incorrectly, or try to use it in situations it wasn’t designed for.
Training doesn’t need to be extensive. A simple site briefing or toolbox talk is enough to cover correct use, limitations, and safe handling.
Get the fire protection you need to ensure safety and maintain compliance. For enquiries and fast quotes, email our team at customercare@s-pgroup.com or call 028 9411 0032. SP Group is a temporary protection and scaffold supplier based in the UK and Ireland.