Which Fire Classes Can You Use a Fire Blanket On?
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What Fire Classes Can a Fire Blanket Handle?
Fire blankets are often described as versatile fire-safety products, but they are not suitable for every type of fire. Their effectiveness depends on what is burning, how large the fire is, where it is located and whether the entire burning area can be covered safely.
A conventional fire blanket is primarily intended for a small, contained and fully coverable fire. If the fire is spreading, producing dense smoke or threatening the escape route, evacuate immediately and contact the emergency services.
For step-by-step deployment guidance, see How to Safely Use a Fire Blanket →
Fire classes: an important regional difference
Fire-class terminology is not identical in every part of the world. This guide uses the European fire-class system because it is directly relevant to conventional fire blankets evaluated against EN 1869:2019.
Under this system, fires are commonly classified according to the material that is burning:
- Class A: solid materials such as wood, paper and textiles;
- Class B: flammable liquids or liquefiable solids such as petrol, paint and solvents;
- Class C: flammable gases such as propane, butane and methane;
- Class D: combustible metals such as magnesium, sodium and aluminium powder; and
- Class F: cooking oils and fats.
Fires involving energised electrical equipment are an important practical category, but electricity is not a separate formal European fire class. Once the electrical supply has been isolated, the fire is considered according to the material that continues to burn.
Professional buyers outside Europe should be aware that local fire-class systems may use different letters or definitions. The underlying principle remains the same: the burning material and the actual fire scenario determine which extinguishing method is appropriate.
Fire classes help identify the hazard, but they do not automatically prove that a particular fire blanket is suitable. Product instructions, blanket size, test documentation and the actual fire conditions must also be considered.
Class A: solid-material fires
A fire blanket may be used on a small Class A fire when the burning material can be covered completely.
Possible examples include:
- a small item of burning fabric;
- a small textile or soft-furnishing fire;
- a small waste-bin fire involving paper; or
- another limited burning object that fits fully beneath the blanket.
The blanket restricts oxygen and can help contain flames. It is not suitable once the fire has spread into furniture, walls, cabinets, ceilings or a larger mass of combustible material.
Clothing fires
Burning clothing consists of solid combustible material, but intervention on a person requires specific care. The person should stop, drop and roll. Another person may use a sufficiently large fire blanket to help smother the flames when this can be done safely.
Within the DVM range, the 1.2 × 1.8 m blanket provides greater body coverage and is the preferred size where clothing-fire preparedness is an identified risk. Keep the face and airway clear.
Fire Blankets for Clothing Fires →
Class B: flammable-liquid fires
A conventional fire blanket should not be presented as a general solution for Class B fires. Petrol, solvents, paint and other flammable liquids can spread rapidly, flow beyond the blanket and produce dangerous vapours.
Do not attempt to use a fire blanket when:
- fuel or solvent is leaking;
- the burning liquid is spreading;
- the complete burning surface cannot be covered;
- vapour ignition or explosion is possible;
- a container is pressurised or damaged; or
- safe access and escape cannot be maintained.
A very small, fully contained burning object may sometimes be coverable, but this must not be confused with general suitability for petrol, solvent or fuel fires. Use the fire-fighting equipment specified for the actual Class B risk and follow the site emergency procedure.
The heptane test shown in DVM's TÜV SÜD documentation provides evidence of the tested product's performance under the controlled conditions described in the report. It does not mean that a conventional fire blanket can be used safely on every flammable-liquid incident.
Class C: flammable-gas fires
Fire blankets are generally not suitable for Class C gas fires.
Extinguishing the visible flame while gas continues to escape can create an unburned gas cloud and a serious explosion risk. The gas supply must first be isolated safely.
If the supply cannot be shut off immediately without approaching the fire:
- do not cover or extinguish the flame;
- evacuate the area;
- avoid operating electrical switches; and
- contact the emergency services or gas emergency provider.
Class D: combustible-metal fires
A conventional fiberglass fire blanket must not be used on Class D metal fires.
Burning metals can reach extremely high temperatures and may react violently with unsuitable extinguishing materials. Examples include fires involving:
- magnesium;
- sodium or potassium;
- lithium metal;
- titanium; and
- aluminium or other metal powders.
Class D risks require specialist extinguishing equipment, procedures and trained personnel. Evacuate and follow the site-specific emergency plan.
Fires involving electrical equipment
Electrical equipment under voltage is not a separate European fire class. Nevertheless, the presence of live electricity creates an additional shock and arc risk.
A fire blanket may be considered for a small appliance fire only when:
- the electrical supply has been isolated wherever safely possible;
- the fire is confined to a small appliance or object;
- the entire burning area can be covered;
- there are no exposed live components within reach; and
- a clear escape route remains available.
Do not touch damaged wiring, cables or the appliance. Do not use a conventional fire blanket to handle a burning battery pack, high-voltage installation or energised industrial equipment.
If the power cannot be isolated, smoke is increasing or the fire has spread into walls, cabinets or surrounding materials, evacuate immediately.
Fire Blankets for Electrical Appliance Fires →
Class F: cooking-oil and fat fires
Small, contained Class F cooking-oil and fat fires are one of the principal applications of a properly tested conventional fire blanket.
Examples include:
- a pan containing burning cooking oil or fat;
- a small fryer incident at an early stage; or
- a compact cooking appliance that can be covered completely.
To use the blanket safely:
- switch off the heat source only when this can be done safely;
- pull the release tabs and protect your hands behind the blanket;
- place the blanket gently over the entire pan or appliance;
- do not throw it or disturb the burning oil;
- leave it in place until the oil and cookware have cooled fully; and
- replace the blanket after deployment on the fire.
Never pour water onto burning cooking oil or fat. Water can turn rapidly to steam and eject burning oil from the container.
The DVM 1 × 1 m Fire Blanket Series has been independently tested by TÜV SÜD under controlled cooking-oil fire-test conditions in accordance with EN 1869:2019.
DVM is also extending its independent EN 1869:2019 test programme to the 1.2 × 1.8 m Fire Blanket Series. The corresponding TÜV SÜD documentation will be added when available.
View the TÜV SÜD test report and fire-test videos →
Fire Blankets for Kitchens & Cooking Fires →
Can a conventional fire blanket be used on a lithium-ion battery fire?
A conventional household or workplace fire blanket is not intended to control a developed lithium-ion battery fire or an electric-vehicle battery incident.
Small consumer batteries and devices may reignite because heat and chemical reactions continue within the cells. Do not pick up, wrap or carry a burning or swollen battery-powered device unless instructed by the emergency services.
Vehicle-sized Fire Limitation Blankets (FLBs) form a separate professional product category. They are intended to help limit flames, heat, smoke and contamination around a vehicle incident, but they do not stop thermal runaway inside the battery.
A Fire Limitation Blanket should therefore not be confused with a conventional EN 1869:2019 fire blanket. The fire scenario, product dimensions, deployment method and technical requirements are fundamentally different.
Fire Limitation Blanket FAQs →
When should a fire blanket not be used?
Regardless of the nominal fire class, do not attempt to use a fire blanket when:
- the fire is larger than the blanket;
- the burning area cannot be covered completely;
- flames have spread to walls, cabinets, ceilings or surrounding equipment;
- dense smoke, heat or toxic fumes block safe access;
- the fire involves leaking gas or spreading fuel;
- reactive chemicals or combustible metals are involved;
- a pressurised container may rupture;
- the only escape route may be lost; or
- there is any uncertainty about personal safety.
In these situations, evacuate, close doors behind you where possible and contact the emergency services.
Fire blanket versus fire extinguisher by fire type
A fire blanket and a fire extinguisher serve different purposes.
- A fire blanket is intended for a small, contained fire that can be approached and covered completely.
- A fire extinguisher applies an agent selected for the relevant fire class and can generally be operated from a greater distance.
An extinguisher is not automatically suitable for a growing or uncontrolled fire. The correct agent must be selected, and evacuation must not be delayed.
Fire Blanket vs Fire Extinguisher →
Fire blanket suitability at a glance
| Fire category | General fire-blanket suitability | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Class A — solids and textiles | Sometimes suitable | Only small, fully coverable fires |
| Class B — flammable liquids | Generally not recommended | Never for spreading, leaking or volatile fuel fires |
| Class C — gases | Not suitable | Gas supply must be isolated safely |
| Class D — metals | Not suitable | Specialist equipment and procedures required |
| Energised electrical equipment | Limited suitability | Isolate power and only cover a small appliance fire safely |
| Class F — cooking oils and fats | Principal application | Only small, contained fires that can be covered completely |
EN 1869:2019 and worldwide product selection
For conventional fire blankets, EN 1869:2019 provides a defined European product standard with performance and test requirements. For purchasers outside Europe, it can also serve as a useful technical benchmark where no equivalent national fire-blanket standard is specified.
That does not mean that European fire-class terminology or EN 1869:2019 is legally mandatory worldwide. Local fire codes, product rules and classification systems should always be checked for the target market.
For more information about product standards and documentation, see Fire Blanket Standards, Compliance & Certification →
Summary
A conventional fire blanket is most appropriate for:
- small Class F cooking-oil and fat fires;
- small Class A objects or textiles that can be fully covered;
- clothing-fire intervention with a sufficiently large blanket; and
- some small appliance fires after electrical isolation.
It should not be relied upon for:
- gas fires;
- combustible-metal fires;
- spreading fuel or solvent fires;
- large or developed fires;
- high-voltage or developed battery incidents; or
- any situation in which safe, complete coverage is impossible.
Fire classification is only one part of the decision. The blanket size, accessibility, instructions, product documentation and actual development of the fire are equally important.