Spotting genuine fire blankets
At risk
It is very easy to purchase a sub-standard fire blanket in the UK. This is due to the nature of online shopping and a lack of adequate regulation over the selling of fakes. In 2015 the BBC’s consumer programme Fake Britain exposed the sale of cheap fire blankets with false safety claims. During one programme West Midlands Fire Service put some of the suspect products through a real fire test and the results were worrying: flames instantly broke through the material of one sample.
What to look for
Tip 1. When purchasing a new fire blanket, ensure that it is kitemarked with the British Standard reference BS EN 1869:1997 (see The next step ). Don’t just rely on product information which mentions the British Standard, check for a marking on the case.
Tip 2. Be extra cautious due to the prevalence of fake products on the market. Do your shopping with a UK-based company which has a good reputation; don’t google “cheap fire blankets” .
Tip 3. Other indications that it meets the Standard are: (1) it is indelibly marked with either the supplier’s or manufacturer’s name and address; (2) it displays the model or type number; and (3) there is a pictogram of how to use the product, including information which states that it is to be discarded after use. All written instructions must be in English.
Tip 4. If you have any queries call the supplier direct. Any reputable company will be easy to contact and readily answer your questions.
Product options
Fire blankets come in soft packs or hard plastic cases. You may find that a hard case is easier to keep clean if the environment is very dirty or greasy, but either type is fine.
Tip. They come in various sizes. When making a purchase think about what it’s potentially going to be used for. For small pan fires a basic 1m x 1m or 1.2m x 1.2m will be suitable. Larger sizes, i.e. 1.2 x 1.8 and 1.8 x 1.8m, are intended for extinguishing clothing on a child or adult.
Warning. Be careful about straying into the specification of fire extinguishing equipment if you don’t know what you’re doing. For example, commercial kitchens at risk of oil fires generally require an F-type extinguisher as well as a fire blanket. Leave these decisions to your competent fire risk assessor. Our advice here is intended to help those who have already established that they need a fire blanket and want to choose the right product.
When must you replace it?
You might want to replace your fire blanket between servicing visits by your fire engineer for a number of reasons, e.g. it’s been used on a fire, damaged or lost.
Tip. If you are replacing your fire blanket because you’ve been told that it is too old, ask for further justification.
For a Code of Practice for the Commissioning and Maintenance of Fire Blankets, visit http://tipsandadvice-healthandsafety.co.uk/download (HS 16.16.03).
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