A fire blanket is a sheet of fire-resistant fabric, usually woven glass fibre, folded into a wall-mounted pouch and released by pulling two tabs. It puts out a small fire in a frying pan or oil pot by smothering it and cutting off the air, and it can be wrapped around a person whose clothes are on fire. It needs no pressure and no workshop servicing, but it does not replace a fire extinguisher or the hood suppression system in a commercial kitchen.
AZEIDK supplies fire blankets as part of its safety equipment range for homes, restaurants and facilities in Saudi Arabia. This guide covers when to use a fire blanket, how to deploy it correctly, where to mount it in kitchens and buildings, and how it differs from an extinguisher and a fixed kitchen suppression system.
For the full picture of the fire and security systems restaurants and commercial kitchens need and the Civil Defense requirements that apply, see our safety systems guide for restaurants and commercial kitchens.
Key Takeaways
- A fire blanket smothers a small fire by cutting off its air. Its best uses are a cooking oil fire in a pan or pot, and burning clothing.
- Place the blanket over the fire, never throw it. Turn off the heat if it is safe, and leave the blanket in place until the pan has fully cooled.
- Mount it near the kitchen entrance or on the way out, away from the cooker, so the fire itself cannot block your access.
- The European standard EN 1869:2019 covers non-reusable fire blankets, so replace the blanket after any use.
- A blanket does not replace a wet chemical kitchen extinguisher or the hood suppression system required under the Saudi Fire Code SBC 801 and Civil Defense requirements.
In this article
- What is a fire blanket and how does it work?
- When should you use a fire blanket?
- How to use a fire blanket step by step
- Where should a fire blanket be mounted in kitchens and facilities?
- Fire blanket vs extinguisher vs kitchen suppression system
- How to choose a fire blanket
- Common mistakes with fire blankets
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
What is a fire blanket and how does it work?
A fire needs fuel, heat and oxygen. A fire blanket removes the oxygen: once it covers the burning oil or clothing, air can no longer reach the flame and the fire goes out. Australian fire services (CFA Victoria and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services) describe it as a fire-resistant fabric, usually woven glass fibre, suited to cooking fat fires and to wrapping people whose clothes have caught fire.
The blanket is folded inside a soft pouch or a rigid case, with two tabs hanging below. A sharp pull on the tabs brings it out ready to use within seconds. Anyone at home or in a restaurant can use it without long training, as long as they know the steps before the day they need them.
What does EN 1869 cover?
EN 1869:2019 “Fire blankets” was published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) in August 2019 and supersedes the 1997 edition. It sets requirements for fire blankets that are not reusable and are intended for use by one person to control small fires. Its scope notes that blankets large enough are suitable for smothering a person whose clothing is on fire. When buying, ask for the datasheet or product label to see which standard the blanket was tested to and its actual size, rather than relying on marketing text.
When should you use a fire blanket?
Pan and oil pot fires
This is the main use. Burning cooking oil must never be put out with water: Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service warns that water on a burning pan makes the oil erupt and spreads the fire around it. A blanket smothers the flame without disturbing or scattering the oil. Tasmania Fire Service notes that a multi-purpose powder extinguisher is not suitable in kitchens with cooking oils and fats, and that a fire blanket should be used on that type of fire at home.
Clothing on fire
If someone’s clothes catch fire, wrap the blanket around the flames and the person, get them to drop to the ground and roll until the fire is out, then seek medical help immediately. Do not let them run, as movement feeds the flames.
Very small fires at the start
A blanket also works on a small fire on a worktop or in a small waste bin, as long as the fire is smaller than the blanket and can be fully covered. If an electrical appliance is involved, cut the power first where it is safe. A fire that has reached cabinets, the hood or the ceiling is not a blanket fire: get out, close the door and call Civil Defense on 998.
How to use a fire blanket step by step
These steps combine guidance from Australian and UK fire services. The manufacturer’s instructions printed on the pouch remain the reference for each product:
- Pull both tabs down sharply to release the blanket.
- Protect your hands: hold the blanket by the tabs in front of you and roll the top edge over your hands so the blanket shields you from the flame.
- Approach calmly with your arms stretched out and the blanket covering your face and chest.
- Place it, do not throw it: lower the blanket over the pan starting from the side nearest you until it is fully covered. Do not flick the far edge over the fire, as flames can run up the blanket towards your hands.
- Turn off the heat (gas or electricity) at the cooker or the main supply if it is safe, and never lean over the pan to reach the controls.
- Leave it in place: CFA Victoria advises at least 15 minutes or until the heat has gone, and Tasmania Fire Service advises at least thirty minutes. Do not lift it to check, as fresh air can reignite the oil.
- Do not move the pan or touch the blanket until it is cool.
- Call Civil Defense if the fire does not go out or spreads, then leave and close the door behind you.
Replace the blanket after use. CFA Victoria and Tasmania Fire Service both state it is designed to be used once, which matches the scope of EN 1869 for non-reusable blankets.
Where should a fire blanket be mounted in kitchens and facilities?
Fire services repeat one rule: close to the kitchen but away from the cooker. A blanket hung above or right beside the hob may be out of reach once the hob is burning. CFA Victoria recommends mounting it near the kitchen entrance, so you collect it on your way out and keep the exit behind you if the fire grows.
At home
- On the kitchen wall near the door, at a height an adult can reach without a step.
- Away from the cooker and oven, not inside a closed cupboard or behind a door.
- Everyone who cooks in the house, including domestic staff, knows where it is.
In restaurants and commercial kitchens
- Near the exit from the cooking area, where trays and trolleys will not block it.
- Next to the wet chemical kitchen extinguisher, so staff find first-response tools in one place.
- Clearly separated from the hood system’s manual pull station, with signage showing which tool is for which situation.
In other facilities
Office pantries, staff accommodation, schools, laboratories and small workshops commonly add a fire blanket alongside extinguishers. This is good practice based on the facility’s own risk assessment. The number, type and location of extinguishers are set by the approved design and Civil Defense requirements.
Fire blanket vs extinguisher vs kitchen suppression system
The three work together and none replaces the others. The blanket handles a very small fire at its start, the extinguisher handles a slightly larger fire or a situation where you cannot get close, and the hood system protects the whole commercial cooking line automatically.
| Item | Fire blanket | Fire extinguisher (including wet chemical kitchen extinguisher) | Kitchen hood suppression system |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Smothers the flame and cuts off air | Discharges an agent from a distance | Automatic agent discharge over appliances and into the hood, with gas shut-off |
| Best use | Pan or oil pot fire, burning clothing | Fires matching the extinguisher class; wet chemical for cooking oils (Class K / Class F) | Commercial cooking line, hood filters and duct |
| Operation | Manual, at very close range | Manual, from a safe distance | Automatic on heat, or manual from the pull station |
| After use | Replace | Recharge or replace | Recharge and inspection by a qualified technician |
| Maintenance | Visual check of pouch and tabs per manufacturer | Monthly check and annual service | Periodic service by a qualified technician |
| Reference | EN 1869 and manufacturer instructions | Civil Defense requirements; NFPA 10 as technical reference | SBC 801 and Civil Defense; NFPA 96 and NFPA 17A as technical references |
Fire blanket vs extinguisher
An extinguisher keeps distance between you and the fire, while a blanket requires you to get close enough to touch the pan. If the flames are high or have spread around the cooker, the blanket is no longer a safe option. In restaurants, the right extinguisher for cooking oils is the wet chemical kitchen extinguisher (Class K). Other types and classes are covered in our fire extinguisher types guide and the fire extinguishers category.
Fire blanket vs hood suppression
In a commercial kitchen, the primary protection for appliances that produce grease-laden vapours is the fixed system over the appliances and inside the hood and duct, with gas shut-off on discharge. See the components and requirements in our commercial kitchen fire suppression guide. AZEIDK supplies ANSUL R-102 and Hood Safer systems as part of its kitchen fire suppression solutions. In that kitchen, a blanket is an extra tool for a very small fire. It is not part of the system design and is never accepted in place of it.
How to choose a fire blanket
- Stated standard: check the datasheet or pouch for the standard the blanket was tested to, such as EN 1869, and ask the supplier for the document.
- Size for the task: it must cover the largest pan in the kitchen with a clear margin; wrapping a person needs a larger blanket. Read the actual size from the product label.
- Container type: a soft pouch suits a home kitchen; a rigid case protects the blanket from dust and humidity in restaurants and workshops.
- Easy release: visible tabs that can be pulled without opening any cover.
- Clear instructions: printed steps or pictograms on the pouch, preferably also in Arabic.
Common mistakes with fire blankets
- Hanging the blanket directly above the cooker, where it cannot be reached during a fire.
- Throwing the blanket from a distance instead of placing it, leaving gaps that let air in.
- Lifting the blanket after a minute to check the flame, which lets the fire restart.
- Carrying the covered pan to the sink or outside, spilling hot oil.
- Refolding a used blanket and hanging it back instead of replacing it.
- Relying on a blanket alone in a restaurant that needs a wet chemical extinguisher and a hood suppression system.
- Hiding the blanket in a cupboard or behind a door, or letting stored items block the way to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a fire blanket replace a fire extinguisher at home?
No. A blanket suits pan fires and burning clothing, while an extinguisher covers other fires from a safe distance. Having both in the kitchen is best.
Can a fire blanket be reused?
No. EN 1869 blankets are non-reusable, and fire services advise replacing the blanket after any use.
How long should a fire blanket stay on the pan?
Until the pan has fully cooled. Fire service guidance ranges from at least 15 to at least 30 minutes, with the heat turned off and no lifting to check.
Where should I hang a fire blanket in the kitchen?
Near the kitchen door or on the exit route, visible and easy to reach, and away from the cooker so the fire cannot block access to it.
Can a fire blanket be used on an electrical fire?
Cut the power first where safe. The EN 1869 scope says blankets are designed to limit the risk of electric shock if used unintentionally on live equipment, but they are not the primary tool for electrical panel or appliance fires.
Does a fire blanket replace the hood system in a restaurant?
No. The hood system is the primary protection for a commercial cooking line and is set by the approved design and Civil Defense requirements. The blanket is only an extra tool for small fires.
Where can I buy a fire blanket in Saudi Arabia?
AZEIDK supplies fire blankets as part of its safety equipment range for individuals and projects. You can buy from AZEIDK branches or request a quotation for larger quantities.
Conclusion
A fire blanket is simple, low-maintenance and effective in two specific situations: a burning oil pan and burning clothing. It works when three things are in place: it hangs near the exit and away from the cooker, the people in the room know how to pull it and place it without throwing, and it is left until the pan cools and then replaced. In restaurants and facilities it remains one part of a set that includes the right extinguisher and a hood suppression system.
Fitting out a kitchen, restaurant or new facility? Tell us the type of space and the number of cooking areas, and we will recommend suitable fire blankets and extinguishers and review whether the site needs a hood suppression system. Talk to the AZEIDK team
To buy an extinguisher or book its maintenance, see AZEIDK fire extinguishers.
