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Ruth Das - 25th November 2021
What are Fire blankets and what are they made of?
Let’s talk fire! And Blankets?
Fire blankets are a top priority when it comes to fire safety. They are easy to store and use as your first line of defense against nascent fires. It is important to consider the various fire blanket materials available in the market. With so many options, it can be quite confusing to make the right pick. To make the process easier, we will be going through everything you should know about these materials. So, let’s begin!
Fire blankets are typically used in food preparation areas and are used to tackle Class B (flammable liquid), Class F (Cooking fats and oils), and Class A (carbonaceous) fires. A Fire Blanket is essentially a highly flame-resistant material, which can be used either to extinguish a minor fire or to wrap around an individual that has caught alight. A fire blanket is made of two layers of intricately woven glass fiber fabric and an inner layer that’s made of fire-retardant film. Fire blankets work very effectively by cutting off the supply of oxygen (which the fire needs to burn) and smothering the fire.
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As fire blankets are effective protection in case of a minor fire, you must know how to use them either during an emergency in your home or office
- Turn off the gas/electricity supply that may be causing the fire e.g. the gas on the stovetop
- Remove the fire blanket from its container and hold it firmly by the fabric straps
- To prevent burns on your hands and arms, ensure you wrap the top edges around your hands; this will keep them protected.
- Roll up your sleeves so that they don’t catch fire
- Carefully cover the flames with your fire blanket; ensure that you’ve covered the entire area as this will help you effectively cut off the airflow and extinguish the flames
- If the fire is out of control contact the BOMBA (999) immediately
Wool vs. Fiberglass Fire Blankets
Wool Fire Blankets
Wool is naturally high in nitrogen and water content. This trait makes this fire blanket material highly flame-resistant. Another important thing to note is that wool does not melt, drip, or stick to the skin as it burns. Thus, wool is an excellent fiber for fire protection.
Some key features of wool fire blankets include:
- High ignition temperature of 550-600°C.
- High limiting oxygen index (the level of oxygen needed for the material to combust).
- Self-extinguishing
- Low heat of combustion (amount of heat released in the combustion process).
- Best to be used in electric fires.
Fiberglass Fire Blankets
On the other hand, we have the fiberglass fire blanket. This is perhaps the most effective and commonly used fire blanket material yet.
Fire blankets made of fiberglass act as a shield against fires, protecting you from not just the flames but also the heat. Fiberglass blankets are used in houses, offices, manufacturing plants, welding shops, etc. Fiberglass blankets protect you from a higher intensity of heat than wool. You can use fiberglass fire blankets against flames of over 260°C. They can also withstand a molten metal splash of up to 1200°C, which is way higher than most houses, offices, or even industrial fires. The fiberglass material is made of woven strands of glass yarn intertwined in a flexible state. The material is a practical fire retardant substance made out of a mixture of silicone or graphite-coated fiberglass yarns. This makes it perfect for incipient fires of higher temperature levels too.
- Compact and soft texture.
- Higher heat tolerance than wool.
- Strong and chemical resistant.
- Superior heat containment and flame protection.
- Best for fires caused by grease, oil, or gasoline.
Things to Remember
Keep in mind that if the fire’s larger than the size of the blanket, don’t try to put it out. Move safely out of the area and contact the fire brigade without delay. Once you’ve used the blanket don’t touch either the fire blanket or anything that’s below it for at least an hour post extinguishing the fire. You can also use these as a thermal barrier against heat, as well as to prevent people’s clothes from catching fire. Once you have used a fire blanket you must discard it and contact us for a replacement. Although fire blankets form a essential part of a fire safety kit, they are not the do all end all. To effectively protect your home from fire you need fire extinguishers as well as fire safety plans. More information about them can be found in the link below!
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