Fire Blankets
Fire blankets are non-flammable safety items that can combat temperatures up to 900 degrees F.
They smother small fires by not allowing any oxygen in to fuel the flames.
Due to its simplicity, a fire blanket may be more helpful to someone who is inexperienced with fire extinguishers. Learn how to use a fire blanket in case of fire and protect your home and office.
- If a small fire breaks out, a fire blanket can be released from its bag by pulling on the two white tabs at the base of the casing.
- Roll the corners of the blanket over your hands before gently placing it over the flames for a minimum of fifteen minutes.
- Never use a blanket- when the fire is out, douse the blanket with water, then dispose of it.
Fire safety is crucial in any working environment. Educating your employees about how to use a fire blanket is just as important as regular equipment and is standard in any Irish workplace. If your business is in the retail food industry or located in a commercial kitchen, you need to have a fire blanket installed in the cooking area immediately.
Unnecessary harm can be avoided by knowing which equipment to use with the different classes of fire and how to use the equipment during an emergency.
After you have confirmed that the fire is a ‘Class F’ in nature, use a fire protection blanket to suffocate the flame. Make sure every member of your team knows how to use a fire blanket correctly in order to avoid harm. Your staff can effectively reduce risk by following these steps:
- Turn off the source of the heat, if safe to do so
- There are 2 tabs on the bottom of the blanket packaging. Remove the blanket with a simultaneous sharp pull on each tab. This will release the blanket
- Place the blanket over the fire gentle, keeping your hands and face away from the flame. Do not throw material on the flame
- Lay the blanket over the fire from the closet edge of the flames. Do this to avoid fire running up the far side of the blanket and on to your hands
- Leave the blanket on the heat source until you are sure the flames have been suffocated and the heat has dissipated. You should leave the blanket in place for at least 15-30 minutes to ensure the fire is completely gone.
- Leave the building and call the fire brigade. Even if you think the fire is under control, there is a chance of the fire re-igniting so you should have a professional assess the situation.
If you feel at risk during any of these steps, remove yourself from the situation by using the nearest exit and call the emergency services.
The following steps should be followed when using a Fire Blanket on a Person:
- Wrap the blanket around the person. Protect your hands by rolling the material over them before approaching the flame.
- Roll the blanket around a person the person until the fire is covered.
- Try to remain calm and instruct the person to STOP, DROP + ROLL. This means that the person wrapped in the blanket should Stop trying to walk or run, DROP to the floor and ROLL around until the fire is extinguished.
- Call emergency services and seek medical attention immediately.
Precious seconds can be saved when your fire safety equipment is accessible. With a fast response to a clothing fire, a member of your staff could safe a life. If you are an employee, and you aren’t sure where the equipment is located, ask your employer to make each fire blanket readily available.
As an employer, you have a duty of care to inform your staff of equipment locations, effective protection and risk management equipment.
Equipment the functions and works correctly, not only reduces potential disaster, it also reduces property damage loss to productivity. It is in the interest of every business owner to install and maintain fire safety devices.
Get in touch with the Fire Direct team for more information about our services plus a free quote.
Fire Direct- The Fire Protection People. www.firedirect.ie