You should use a fire blanket to extinguish small fires, particularly those in or around the kitchen, involving cooking oils, waste bins, or clothing.
Fire blankets are essential safety tools designed to smother fires by cutting off their oxygen supply. They are highly effective for specific types and sizes of fires, making them a valuable addition to fire safety equipment in various locations.
Suitable Applications for Fire Blankets
Fire blankets are primarily intended for dealing with minor fires before they escalate. Based on standard guidance and the provided reference, here are the key situations where a fire blanket is appropriate:
- Kitchen Fires: They are especially useful for fires that start on stovetops or within ovens, often involving cooking grease or oil.
- Class F Fires: Fire blankets are particularly recommended for Class F fires, which involve burning cooking oils and fats (like vegetable oil, olive oil, butter, etc.). Attempting to use water on such fires can be extremely dangerous.
- Waste Bin Fires: Small fires contained within a waste bin can often be safely extinguished by covering the bin with a fire blanket.
- Clothing Fires: If a person's clothing catches fire, a fire blanket can be used to wrap around them and smother the flames.
Where Fire Blankets Are Useful
Due to their effectiveness against common small fires, fire blankets are suitable for use in a range of environments:
- Homes: Ideal for kitchen areas where most domestic fires start.
- Commercial Kitchens: An important safety measure alongside other fire suppression systems.
- Public Environments: Useful in areas where small fires might occur, though often complemented by other extinguisher types.
By understanding when and where to deploy a fire blanket, you can effectively manage certain types of small fires and prevent them from becoming larger, more dangerous incidents.
