Fire blankets are safety devices that can help extinguish small fires or protect people from flames. They are made of fire-resistant materials, such as fiberglass or wool, and work by smothering the fire and cutting off its oxygen supply. Fire blankets are suitable for use in homes, workplaces, and public settings, especially in areas where there is a risk of fire involving cooking oils, electrical appliances, or clothing.
There are two main types of fire blankets: portable and fixed. Portable fire blankets are stored in a compact case or pouch that can be easily carried around or mounted on a wall. Fixed fire blankets are installed in a rigid case that is permanently attached to a wall or ceiling. Both types of fire blankets have their own benefits and drawbacks, depending on the situation and the user’s preference. In this article, we will compare portable and fixed fire blankets, highlighting their pros and cons, and providing some examples of ideal scenarios for each type.
Portable Fire Blankets
Portable fire blankets are fire blankets that can be moved from one location to another. They are usually packaged in a soft case or pouch that has two pull-down tabs to release the blanket quickly. Portable fire blankets come in various sizes, ranging from 1m x 1m to 1.8m x 1.8m. Some portable fire blankets are also reusable, meaning they can be used more than once if they are not damaged by the fire.
Benefits of Portable Fire Blankets
Some of the benefits of portable fire blankets are:
- They are easy to access and deploy in an emergency. Portable fire blankets can be stored in convenient locations, such as near the kitchen stove, in the car, or in a backpack. They can also be grabbed and used by anyone without much training or experience.
- They are versatile and adaptable. Portable fire blankets can be used for different types of fires, such as grease fires, electrical fires, or clothing fires. They can also be used as a protective shield to escape a fire or to wrap around a person who is on fire.
- They are eco-friendly and cost-effective. Portable fire blankets do not release any toxic fumes or substances into the air or the ground when used. They also do not require any maintenance or upkeep, except for replacing them when they expire or get damaged. Some portable fire blankets are also reusable, which can save money in the long run.
Drawbacks of Portable Fire Blankets
Some of the drawbacks of portable fire blankets are:
- They may not be suitable for larger fires. Portable fire blankets have a limited size and coverage area, which may not be enough to smother bigger fires or prevent them from spreading. If the fire is larger than the blanket or burns on a surface that the blanket cannot fully cover, the blanket may not be effective.
- They may not be readily available when needed. Portable fire blankets rely on the user’s awareness and preparedness to store them in accessible locations and to use them correctly in an emergency. However, some people may forget where they put their fire blanket, lose it, or not have it with them when a fire occurs.
- They may pose some risks if used incorrectly. Portable fire blankets need to be handled with care and caution when used. The user needs to ensure that the blanket covers the entire fire and seals it tightly to cut off the oxygen supply. The user also needs to avoid touching the blanket with bare hands or exposing it to direct heat sources after use.
Ideal Scenarios for Portable Fire Blankets
Some of the ideal scenarios for portable fire blankets are:
- A small grease or oil fire breaks out in a frying pan on the stove. The user turns off the heat source if possible, grabs the portable fire blanket from a nearby cabinet, pulls the tabs to release it, wraps it around their hands, and places it over the pan carefully.
- A person’s clothes catch fire from a candle or a spark. The user drops to the ground and rolls to put out the flames, then grabs the portable fire blanket from their backpack, pulls the tabs to release it, wraps it around their hands, and covers the person with it gently.
- A small electrical fire starts in a power outlet or an appliance cord. The user unplugs the device if possible, grabs the portable fire blanket from their car trunk, pulls the tabs to release it, wraps it around their hands, and places it over the outlet or cord cautiously.
Fixed Fire Blankets
Fixed fire blankets are fire blankets that are permanently installed in a specific location. They are usually packaged in a hard case that is fixed to a wall or ceiling with screws or brackets. Fixed fire blankets come in standard sizes of 1m x 1m or 1.2m x 1.2m. Most fixed fire blankets are single-use, meaning they need to be replaced after each use.
Benefits of Fixed Fire Blankets
Some of the benefits of fixed fire blankets are:
- They are reliable and consistent. Fixed fire blankets are always in the same place and ready to use in an emergency. They do not depend on the user’s memory or availability to store them or carry them around. They also have a clear and visible signage that indicates their location and purpose.
- They are durable and secure. Fixed fire blankets are stored in a sturdy case that protects them from dust, moisture, and damage. They also have a hinged lid that prevents accidental or unauthorized removal of the blanket. They can withstand high temperatures and flames without melting or burning.
- They are easy to use and maintain. Fixed fire blankets have a simple and intuitive mechanism that allows the user to release the blanket by pulling the tabs downwards. They also have instructions and illustrations on the case that guide the user on how to use the blanket correctly. They only need to be checked periodically for any signs of wear and tear or expiry date.
Drawbacks of Fixed Fire Blankets
Some of the drawbacks of fixed fire blankets are:
- They are less flexible and convenient. Fixed fire blankets can only be used in the location where they are installed, which may not be close to the source of the fire or the person who needs it. They also have a limited range of motion, which may make it difficult to cover irregular or curved surfaces with the blanket.
- They are more expensive and wasteful. Fixed fire blankets have a higher initial cost than portable fire blankets, as they require installation and mounting hardware. They also have a shorter lifespan than portable fire blankets, as most of them are single-use and need to be replaced after each use.
- They may cause some damage or injury if used incorrectly. Fixed fire blankets need to be handled with care and caution when used. The user needs to ensure that the blanket covers the entire fire and seals it tightly to cut off the oxygen supply. The user also needs to avoid touching the blanket with bare hands or exposing it to direct heat sources after use.
Ideal Scenarios for Fixed Fire Blankets
Some of the ideal scenarios for fixed fire blankets are:
- A small grease or oil fire breaks out in a deep fryer or a wok in a commercial kitchen. The user turns off the heat source if possible, goes to the fixed fire blanket that is installed on the wall near the fryer or wok, pulls the tabs downwards to release it, wraps it around their hands, and places it over the fryer or wok carefully.
- A person’s clothes catch fire from a welding torch or a sparkler in a workshop or a party. The user drops to the ground and rolls to put out the flames, then goes to the fixed fire blanket that is installed on the ceiling above them, pulls the tabs downwards to release it, wraps it around their hands, and covers the person with it gently.
- A small electrical fire starts in a fuse box or a circuit breaker in an office or a school. The user switches off the main power supply if possible, goes to the fixed fire blanket that is installed on the wall next to the fuse box or circuit breaker, pulls the tabs downwards to release it, wraps it around their hands, and places it over the fuse box or circuit breaker cautiously.
Summary
Fire blankets are safety devices that can help extinguish small fires or protect people from flames. There are two main types of fire blankets: portable and fixed. Portable fire blankets are stored in a compact case or pouch that can be easily carried around or mounted on a wall. Fixed fire blankets are installed in a rigid case that is permanently attached to a wall or ceiling.
Both types of fire blankets have their own benefits and drawbacks, depending on the situation and the user’s preference. Portable fire blankets are easy to access and deploy, versatile and adaptable, eco-friendly and cost-effective, but they may not be suitable for larger fires, readily available when needed, or pose some risks if used incorrectly. Fixed fire blankets are reliable and consistent, durable and secure, easy to use and maintain, but they are less flexible and convenient, more expensive and wasteful, or cause some damage or injury if used incorrectly.
The best type of fire blanket for you depends on your needs, preferences, budget, and environment. You should consider factors such as size, location, frequency of use, type of fire, ease of use, safety features, maintenance requirements, and disposal options when choosing between portable and fixed fire blankets.
The table below summarizes some of the key differences between portable and fixed fire blankets:
| Portable Fire Blankets | Fixed Fire Blankets |
|---|---|
| Stored in a soft case or pouch | Stored in a hard case |
| Can be moved from one location to another | Permanently installed in a specific location |
| Come in various sizes | Come in standard sizes |
| Some are reusable | Most are single-use |
| Easy to access and deploy | Reliable and consistent |
