Fire Blankets for Laundry Rooms and Tumble Dryer Fires
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Fire Blankets for Laundry Rooms and Tumble Dryer Fires
Laundry rooms combine heat, electricity, lint and textiles within a relatively small space. Tumble dryers, washing machines and ironing equipment can therefore create a serious fire risk when components overheat, ventilation is restricted or combustible material accumulates.
A conventional fire blanket may provide a controlled first response to a small, accessible and fully coverable fire. It is not suitable for a developed appliance fire, concealed wiring fire or an incident that has spread into ducting, walls or surrounding materials.
How laundry-room fires can start
Common causes include:
- lint accumulating inside a tumble dryer or filter;
- blocked ventilation or restricted airflow;
- overheating motors, wiring or electrical components;
- textiles igniting inside or near an appliance;
- damaged cables, plugs or sockets;
- irons or heated equipment left unattended; and
- oil-contaminated textiles generating heat during drying.
Some incidents begin inside the appliance and may not be safely reachable with a fire blanket. Smoke, unusual smells, excessive heat or repeated electrical faults should never be ignored.
When may a fire blanket be useful?
A fire blanket may be considered when:
- a small item of laundry or loose textile is burning outside the appliance;
- a compact electrical appliance is involved after the power has been isolated;
- the burning object can be covered completely;
- the incident has not spread into the machine, wall or ventilation system;
- there are no exposed live electrical components within reach; and
- a clear escape route remains available.
The blanket should only be used on a small, stationary fire that can be approached without entering smoke, intense heat or an unsafe electrical area.
What Fire Classes Can a Fire Blanket Be Used On? →
Why a fire blanket can suit a laundry area
A conventional fire blanket contains no pressurised cylinder and does not discharge water, foam or powder.
For a suitable small incident, this may provide:
- no discharged extinguishing residue on nearby textiles or equipment;
- no pressurised spray that may disturb burning material;
- compact storage near the identified risk;
- a straightforward operating principle for instructed users; and
- complete coverage of a small burning object.
A fire blanket does not make live electrical equipment safe to touch and should not be described as suitable for every tumble-dryer or washing-machine fire.
Power isolation comes first
Electricity is not a separate formal European fire class. Energised equipment does, however, create additional shock, arc and re-ignition hazards.
Before approaching a small appliance fire, isolate the electrical supply only when this can be done from a safe position.
Possible actions may include:
- switching off an accessible isolation switch;
- disconnecting the relevant circuit at the distribution board; or
- using another approved emergency shut-off.
Do not pull a plug from a damaged socket, reach behind a burning machine or touch exposed cables.
If the electrical supply cannot be isolated safely, evacuate and contact the emergency services.
How to use a fire blanket on a small laundry-room fire
Only consider deployment when the fire is small, safely reachable and fully coverable.
- Raise the alarm and alert everyone nearby.
- Keep a clear escape route behind you.
- Isolate the electrical supply where this can be done safely.
- Pull the release tabs firmly downward.
- Hold the blanket so that it protects your hands and upper body.
- Place it carefully over the complete burning object.
- Do not move the appliance or burning textiles.
- Leave the blanket in place until the material has cooled fully.
- Replace the blanket after deployment on the fire.
Do not lift the blanket simply to check whether the fire has stopped. Reintroducing oxygen may cause re-ignition.
How to Safely Use a Fire Blanket →
Do not open a burning tumble dryer
If smoke or flames are coming from inside a tumble dryer, opening the door may introduce additional oxygen and expose the user to heat and flames.
Do not:
- open the appliance to remove burning laundry;
- reach into a hot or smoking drum;
- drag the machine away from the wall;
- pour water onto energised equipment;
- block the escape route while attempting intervention; or
- remain in a room filling with smoke.
Isolate the power from a safe location where possible, close the room door, evacuate and contact the emergency services.
When should you not use a fire blanket?
Do not attempt blanket deployment when:
- the fire is inside a closed tumble dryer or washing machine;
- flames have spread beyond a small loose object;
- wall wiring, sockets, ventilation ducts or the building structure are involved;
- smoke or heat prevents safe access;
- the appliance cannot be covered completely;
- the electrical supply cannot be isolated safely;
- several ignition points are involved; or
- personal safety or the escape route is uncertain.
In these situations, evacuate immediately, close doors behind you where possible and contact the emergency services.
Textiles, lint and fire classification
Laundry-room incidents may involve:
- Class A materials, such as textiles, lint and packaging;
- electrical equipment that remains energised until the power is isolated; and
- in some cases, oils or cleaning products that introduce additional hazards.
A fire blanket may help with a small Class A object that can be fully covered. It should not be treated as a general solution for appliance interiors, spreading liquids or concealed electrical fires.
Choosing the correct size
1 × 1 m fire blanket
A 1 × 1 m blanket provides practical coverage for many small, loose and fully coverable objects in a domestic or professional laundry area.
Possible examples include:
- a small item of burning clothing outside the appliance;
- a compact iron or other small appliance after power isolation;
- a small basket or limited pile of textiles; and
- another localised object that fits completely beneath the blanket.
1.2 × 1.8 m fire blanket
The larger 1.2 × 1.8 m version provides additional surface area and may be preferred where:
- larger textile items are handled;
- clothing-fire preparedness must be considered;
- the laundry is part of a care, hotel or institutional environment; or
- the site risk assessment identifies a need for greater coverage.
Neither size is intended to wrap or cover an entire tumble dryer, washing machine or developed appliance fire.
What Size Fire Blanket Do I Need? →
Independently TÜV SÜD Tested
DVM fire blankets are manufactured from densely woven fibreglass fabric of at least 430 g/m².
The DVM 1 × 1 m Fire Blanket Series, including this material specification as part of the complete finished construction, has been independently tested by TÜV SÜD in accordance with EN 1869:2019.
The tested series successfully passed the applicable cooking-oil and heptane fire-performance tests under the controlled conditions documented in the official report.
These results provide product-specific evidence for the tested complete DVM 1 × 1 m series. They do not establish that a conventional fire blanket can control every tumble-dryer, washing-machine or concealed electrical fire.
Safety Bag or Premium Box?
Premium Box
A rigid Premium Box may be preferable for:
- permanent wall-mounted installation;
- shared or commercial laundry rooms;
- hotels, care facilities and residential buildings;
- strong visual recognition; and
- locations where the packed blanket needs additional protection.
Safety Bag
A flexible Safety Bag may suit:
- domestic utility rooms;
- small laundry areas with limited wall space;
- mobile maintenance equipment; and
- locations where a compact format is preferred.
An operational blanket should not be hidden inside a cupboard, behind the appliance or beneath stored laundry. It must remain visible and immediately accessible.
Both formats should be protected from heat, moisture, cleaning chemicals, lint contamination and physical damage.
Where should the blanket be installed?
Install the blanket:
- near the exit from the laundry or utility room;
- where it can be reached without passing the appliance;
- on a visible and unobstructed wall;
- away from direct heat, steam and moisture;
- where doors or laundry baskets cannot block access; and
- with a clear escape route behind the user.
Do not mount it directly above a dryer, washing machine, iron or socket.
Where Should You Keep a Fire Blanket? →
Prevention remains essential
A fire blanket is only one part of laundry-room fire safety. Prevention should include:
- cleaning lint filters after use;
- maintaining ventilation and exhaust ducts;
- following the appliance manufacturer’s instructions;
- not overloading the machine;
- keeping combustible items away from heat sources;
- checking plugs, cables and sockets for damage;
- not leaving irons or heated equipment unattended; and
- using appropriate procedures for oil-contaminated textiles.
Smoke alarms, suitable extinguishers, maintenance and a clear escape plan remain essential.
Inspection and replacement
DVM recommends a documented visual inspection at least once every year. Laundry areas may justify more frequent checks because of moisture, heat, lint and cleaning products.
Confirm that the blanket:
- remains in its designated position;
- is visible and unobstructed;
- has secure mounting and intact packaging;
- has undamaged and accessible pull tabs;
- has readable instructions and product identification;
- shows no lint, moisture or chemical contamination; and
- has not been deployed or removed without authorisation.
Routine inspection should normally be performed without fully unfolding the blanket.
Replace a blanket after deployment on an actual fire. Do not wash, clean, repair or refold it for emergency reuse.
Fire Blanket Inspection & Maintenance →
Summary
A conventional fire blanket may provide a controlled first response in a laundry area when:
- the fire involves a small, loose and fully coverable object;
- the electrical supply has been isolated safely;
- the fire has not spread into the appliance or building structure;
- the blanket is visible and safely accessible; and
- intervention does not delay evacuation.
Do not use a fire blanket to open, wrap or cover a burning tumble dryer, washing machine or developed appliance fire.
Choose a fire blanket for household and utility-room risks
View the home fire blanket guide →