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Fire blankets are an essential fire safety product that every home and business should have on hand. As a top fire protection company in Dubai, Prime Phoenix wants to educate our community about the importance of having fire blankets readily available.
What is a Fire Blanket?
A fire blanket is a piece of fire retardant fabric that is used to smother flames. It effectively cuts off oxygen supply to fire so it cannot continue burning. They are typically made of fiberglass, wool, or cotton fabric that is treated with fire retardant chemicals. This allows the blanket to resist catching fire while extinguishing flames.
These blankets come in different sizes ranging from 1 x 1.5 feet up to 6 x 8 feet. They are usually brightly colored red or orange with trim around the edges so they can be easily located in an emergency. Most fire blankets are stored in a protective bag or pouch that keeps the blanket clean and well maintained when not in use.
Why Have a Fire Blanket?
There are several key reasons why having one or more fire blankets is an important fire safety precaution:
- Smother Fires – Fire blankets are very effective at quickly smothering fires before they grow into an unmanageable emergency. They cut off the fire’s oxygen supply faster than using water or fire extinguishers.
- Protect Yourself – Having a fire blanket handy allows you to safely approach and extinguish a small fire without risk of burns. You can hold the blanket as a shield between you and the flames.
- Prevent Flashovers – Covering a small fire prevents it from flashing over into a larger blaze. This protects your home or business from extensive fire damage.
- Portable & Reusable – Unlike a fire extinguisher that needs recharged after use, a fire blanket is endlessly reusable. It’s also more portable and easier to use than a fire extinguisher.
- Cooking Fires – Many kitchen fires start from cooking accidents. Having a fire blanket next to the stove allows you to quickly smother grease or oil fires.
Fire Blanket Materials
The material a fire blanket is constructed from is important. Common materials include:
Fiberglass – Provides excellent heat resistance up to 1,000°F. It is durable and blankets contain no asbestos. This makes fiberglass a popular choice.
- Wool – Natural material that resists catching fire. Wool extinguishes flames by forming an oxygen excluding char. It’s a more eco-friendly option.
- Cotton – Inexpensive natural fiber that can be chemically treated to be fire retardant. However, cotton is less effective than fiberglass or wool at high temperatures.
- Silica Fabric – Made from silica filament fibers woven into a fabric. Silica has extremely high heat resistance so these specialized blankets can withstand over 2,000°F.
Installing Fire Blankets
Proper installation is key for fire blanket effectiveness. Recommendations include:
- Hang blankets on the wall whenever possible using dedicated brackets. This makes them faster to grab than having to open a cabinet or pouch.
- Anchor pouches or bags tightly to the wall at least 5 feet above floor level so blankets are visible and accessible.
- Place signage or red reflective tape near blanket storage areas for high visibility.
- Avoid installing blankets close to where a fire may start as you don’t want to reach into flames to access them.
Where to Keep Fire Blankets
It’s essential to keep fire blankets in easily accessible locations around your home or business based on potential fire risks. Some key places to store fire blankets include:
Kitchen – Next to the stove and areas where cooking fires may start.
- Garage – Near locations with flammable materials like chemicals, fuels, tools that can spark.
- Workshops or Warehouses – Any facility dealing with machinery, electronics or chemicals.
- Furnace or Water Heater Room – Near heat and ignition sources that could ignite a fire.
- Bedrooms – To assist in emergency exit if fire blocks primary paths of egress.
- Vehicles – Keep a fire blanket in the car trunk along with a first aid kit for roadside emergencies. A car fire blanket is an essential element at the time of an emergency.
Using a Fire Blanket Properly
It’s important to understand how to safely and effectively use a fire blanket when faced with an emergency:
- Quickly grab the blanket by the exterior trim using the loops or handles. Never open it inside a room with fire as oxygen will fuel the flames.
- Hold the blanket up shielding your face and approach the fire keeping as low as possible to avoid inhaling smoke.
- Place the blanket gently over the burning area. Move slowly to avoid splashing or spreading the fire.
- After covering the fire, allow the blanket to smother flames for at least 15-20 minutes before removing.
- Once fire is extinguished, leave the blanket in place until the fuel source cools down to avoid re-ignition.
- Use multiple blankets if needed for larger fires, placing them gently over the fire without gaps for oxygen.
Fire Blanket Pros & Cons
Fire blankets provide many advantages for fire protection but also have some limitations to be aware of:
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Reusable
- Easy to use
- Quickly smothers fire
- Effective for small fires
- Portable storage
Cons:
- Small size limits use for larger fires
- Not effective on chemical or electrical fires
- Requires getting close to flames
- Improper use can spread fire
- Top Fire Blanket Products
Alternative Uses of Fire Blankets
While designed for fire safety, fire blankets have some additional handy uses including:
Keeping warm outside by wrapping around your body similar to an emergency blanket.
- Picnics or camping as a waterproof and fire resistant ground cover.
- Protecting items or yourself from welding sparks or metal casting splash.
- Covering flammable items like car paint or wooden furniture when using a grinding tool or torch.
- Drape over skin when applying self-tanning lotions to avoid staining furniture or clothes from overspray.
Top Fire Blanket Products
When selecting a fire blanket for your home or business, Prime Phoenix recommends choosing professional quality blankets that meet safety certifications. Some top fire blanket options to consider include:
- Prime Guard Fire Blanket – Our heavy duty 6′ x 8′ stainless steel trimmed wool blanket with corner loops for easy gripping.
- Heat Shield Safety Blanket – A compact 3′ x 4′ fiberglass blanket in a rigid case suitable for vehicles.
- Safe-T Fire Blanket – Budget 1.5′ x 2′ cotton blanket with sewn on trim and strap perfect for the kitchen.
- Outflame Fireproof Blanket – A large 8′ x 8′ blanket that can cover two adults made of proprietary fire retardant materials.
- Firemaster Blanket – High quality large 6′ x 6′ commercial blanket with reinforced edges tested to extinguish 1000°F fires.
Key Fire Blanket Safety Tips
To properly protect your Dubai property with fire blankets, Prime Phoenix recommends these additional safety tips:
- Check the expiration date and replace old blankets. The fire retardant chemicals can wear down over time.
- Store blankets in an easily accessible location, not inside cabinets or drawers. Hang on wall brackets if possible.
- Attach blanket pouches securely so they don’t fall and get damaged.
- Label blanket storage areas with signage for high visibility.
- Demonstrate proper use of blankets to family members or employees.
- Inspect blankets regularly for any rips, tears, or damaged edges that could reduce effectiveness.
- Consider having small back-up blankets in vehicles and sleeping areas in case primary blankets are blocked during a fire emergency.
Order High Quality Fire Blankets from Prime Phoenix
As Dubai’s premier fire protection company, Prime Phoenix supplies businesses and residences with the very best fire blankets and accessories. We have the best blanket offer in Dubai. Also, we offer fast delivery of top brands and custom fire solutions. Our team is always standing by to help assess your facility and provide recommendations on the ideal type, size, and placement of fire blankets. Investing in the proper fire safety equipment can prevent immense property damage and save lives. Contact our safety experts today to order fire blankets and arrange a fire risk assessment for your Dubai property. Stay safe with Prime Phoenix!
