When and how do I use fire blankets correctly in the event of a fire?

For effective firefighting in laboratories, the correct choice of extinguishing agent is crucial. In addition to carbon dioxide extinguishers and any special extinguishing agents available, such as those used to fight metal fires, many laboratories also provide fire blankets. Fire blankets are flame-resistant blankets made of materials such as fiberglass, nylon, or Kevlar.

The problem, however, is that hardly anyone knows when and how to use fire blankets correctly in the event of a fire. The Fire Brigades, Emergency Services and Fire Protection Department of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) published a specialist department update ( FBFHB-006 ) on the topic of "Use of fire blankets" in April 2020. According to this, the use of fire blankets is particularly beneficial in the event of a Personnel fire additional dangers for the rescued and burning person For effective use of a fire blanket, the burning person would have to be wrapped as much as possible and the blanket pressed tightly against the person to extinguish the fire. However, people caught in fire tend to panic, and pressing the blanket against the person would cause additional severe burns. Extinguishing a burning person In addition to emergency body showers, Carbon dioxide, foam or powder extinguishers When using a fire extinguisher, a distance of at least 1.5 m should be maintained from the burning person and the extinguishing jet should never be directed at the burning person's face. Fighting grease fires , which mostly occur in catering establishments (e.g. deep fryers) but are also conceivable for specific laboratories, are Fire blankets are not suitable . For effective firefighting of grease fires, suitable grease fire extinguishers (fire class F) must be provided.

The effective use of Fire blankets is only in the case of very small object fires or incipient fires possible. When covering the burning object with the blanket, care must be taken to ensure that the flame does not blow toward a person, and that hands do not come too close to the flame. It is also important to note that the fire blanket must be replaced after use in a fire.

By the way : According to Section 22 DGUV Regulation 1 “Principles of Prevention” and the Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances (TRGS) 526, employees must be familiarized with the handling of the available fire extinguishing equipment through repeated instructions and practical exercises.