Fire blanket: how to use it and where to put it
A fire blanket smothers a small fire by cutting off its oxygen. It is the right tool for a small pan fire or for a person whose clothing is on fire. Turn off the heat if it is safe, pull the tapes, hold the blanket in front of you to protect your hands, lay it over the fire and leave it in place until everything has cooled.
How to use a fire blanket
- Raise the alarm and turn off the cooker or fryer if you can reach it safely.
- Pull both tapes sharply down to release the blanket from its case.
- Wrap the top edges around your hands and hold the blanket up as a shield.
- Place it over the pan, don’t throw it, and leave it there for at least 30 minutes. Lifting it early can let the fire reignite.
For a person whose clothes are on fire: stop, drop and roll, then wrap the blanket around them and call 999. Never use water on burning oil or fat.
What fires is it for?
| Fire | Fire blanket? |
|---|---|
| Small pan of oil or fat on a hob | Yes |
| Burning clothing | Yes |
| Small waste bin fire | Yes, if you can cover it completely |
| Commercial deep fat fryer | No, use a wet chemical extinguisher and the fixed suppression system |
| Fire that is spreading or bigger than a waste bin | No, get out and call 999 |
See fire extinguisher colours for which extinguisher suits which fire.
Standard and placement
- Buy a blanket marked BS EN 1869. Light duty blankets are for kitchens; heavy duty ones are for workshops and labs.
- Mount it on a wall near the exit of the kitchen, about 1.5 m from the floor and not directly above or beside the hob, so you don’t reach over the fire to get it.
- Fit a fire blanket sign above it so it can be found quickly.
Checks to record
- Monthly: in place, case undamaged, tapes hanging free.
- Annually: checked by a competent person with your extinguisher service.
- After use: replace it. A fire blanket is single-use.
Is a fire blanket in your risk assessment? The free fire risk assessment asks about kitchens and firefighting equipment, and the fire log book has a line for monthly blanket and extinguisher checks. Pro keeps every record in one place.
Free fire log book See ProQuestions
Is a fire blanket a legal requirement?
No law names fire blankets specifically. Under the Fire Safety Order 2005 you must provide appropriate firefighting equipment based on your fire risk assessment, and for most kitchens that includes a fire blanket.
Do fire blankets expire?
Many manufacturers give a life of about 7 years. Replace it sooner if the case is damaged or it has been used.
Do I need training to use one?
It is simple to use, but include it in your fire safety briefing so staff know where it is and how to release it.
Checked against BS EN 1869 product guidance and fire and rescue service advice, November 2026. Related: fire risk assessment checklist · small business fire risk assessment.