Fire Blankets for Clothing Fires: Safe First Response
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Fire Blankets for Clothing Fires: Safe First Response
Clothing fires are extremely dangerous because flames burn close to the body and can spread rapidly across fabric. Immediate action is essential to reduce the duration of flame contact and the severity of injury.
The first instruction is stop, drop and roll. A sufficiently large fire blanket may then be used by another person to help smother the flames when this can be done safely.
This guide explains how a fire blanket can assist during a clothing-fire emergency, which blanket size provides suitable coverage, what the assisting person should do and when attempting to use a blanket would be unsafe.
How clothing fires commonly start
Clothing may catch fire during activities involving:
- open flames while cooking;
- loose sleeves near a hob or burner;
- candles, fireplaces or portable heaters;
- sparks from tools or machinery;
- laboratory or workshop processes; and
- flammable liquids or contaminated clothing.
Running can intensify the flames by increasing airflow. The person should stop moving, lower themselves to the ground and roll to help smother the fire.
Stop, drop and roll comes first
If a person's clothing catches fire:
- Stop: do not run.
- Drop: lie down to reduce the risk of flames reaching the face and airway.
- Roll: roll on the ground to help smother the flames.
- Raise the alarm and contact the emergency services.
- Another person may use a sufficiently large fire blanket when it can be applied safely.
A fire blanket is an additional intervention. Retrieving one should not delay stop, drop and roll or emergency assistance.
How can a fire blanket help with a clothing fire?
A fire blanket restricts the oxygen reaching burning clothing. When it is sufficiently large and applied correctly, it can help cover the burning fabric and smother remaining flames.
Potential advantages include:
- no powder, foam or pressurised discharge onto the person;
- no need to direct an extinguishing spray at the body;
- the ability to cover a substantial area of burning clothing;
- a physical barrier between the assisting person and exposed flames; and
- compact storage near an identified clothing-fire risk.
A fire blanket does not guarantee that burns will be prevented. Rapid intervention, adequate blanket dimensions, correct deployment and prompt burn first aid remain essential.
How to use a fire blanket on a person
Another person may use the blanket when the incident remains safely accessible.
- Tell the person to stop, drop and roll.
- Raise the alarm and contact the emergency services.
- Remove the fire blanket using the release tabs.
- Hold the upper edge so that the blanket also helps shield your hands.
- Approach carefully without stepping through flames.
- Cover the burning clothing while keeping the person's face and airway clear.
- Keep the person on the ground while the flames are being smothered.
- Once the flames are extinguished, remove the blanket so that burn cooling can begin.
Never cover the person's face, mouth or nose. Do not wrap the blanket tightly around the neck.
Do not pull away clothing that has melted or adhered to the skin.
For general deployment guidance, see How to Safely Use a Fire Blanket →
Burn first aid after the flames are extinguished
Once the burning has stopped, cool the affected skin with cool running water for at least 20 minutes where possible.
During first aid:
- remove jewellery, watches and loose clothing near the injury if they are not stuck to the skin;
- leave material that is firmly stuck to the skin in place;
- do not use ice, very cold water, creams, grease or butter;
- keep the person warm while cooling the affected area;
- after cooling, protect the burn with an appropriate clean, non-adherent covering; and
- obtain urgent medical assessment.
Clothing fires can cause serious burns even when the damaged area initially appears limited. Follow the instructions of the emergency services and local medical professionals.
What size fire blanket is suitable for a clothing fire?
Greater body coverage is important when a fire blanket is selected for clothing-fire preparedness. A blanket intended primarily for a small pan fire may be too small to cover enough of an adult body effectively.
1.2 × 1.8 m — preferred DVM size for clothing-fire preparedness
Within the DVM conventional fire-blanket range, the 1.2 × 1.8 m fire blanket is the preferred size where clothing-fire intervention forms part of the identified risk. It provides substantially more material for covering the shoulders, torso and legs than the compact 1 × 1 m version.
The larger dimensions help the assisting person cover more of the burning clothing while keeping the face and airway uncovered.
1 × 1 m — limited body coverage
A 1 × 1 m fire blanket is primarily suited to small, contained fires such as many pan or compact-appliance fires. It provides limited coverage of an adult body and is therefore not the preferred DVM size when clothing-fire intervention is the principal purpose.
For a detailed size comparison, see What Size Fire Blanket Do I Need? →
EN 1869:2019 and clothing-fire preparedness
DVM conventional fire blankets are specified against EN 1869:2019, the established European product standard for conventional fire blankets. For purchasers outside Europe, EN 1869:2019 can also provide a useful technical procurement benchmark where no equivalent national fire-blanket product standard is specified.
The DVM 1 × 1 m Fire Blanket Series has been independently tested by TÜV SÜD under controlled test conditions in accordance with EN 1869:2019.
DVM is 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 DVM's TÜV SÜD test documentation →
EN 1869:2019 is a product standard. It does not by itself determine whether a particular workplace, building or country is legally required to install a fire blanket. Local fire-safety rules and the site risk assessment must also be considered.
For more information, see Fire Blanket Standards, Compliance & Certification →
Where are clothing-fire risks particularly relevant?
A larger fire blanket may form part of the safety arrangements in:
- homes and domestic kitchens;
- schools and practical teaching rooms;
- care homes and healthcare facilities;
- laboratories;
- workshops and light industry;
- commercial kitchens;
- hair and beauty environments; and
- workplaces involving flames, heat or sparks.
The blanket should complement appropriate protective measures, supervision, staff instruction, alarms, evacuation procedures and burn first-aid arrangements.
For professional applications, see Fire Blankets in Professional Environments →
What fire class is a clothing fire?
Under the European fire-class system, most ordinary clothing and textile fires involve Class A combustible materials.
A fire blanket may help with a small clothing fire because the burning fabric can be covered and the oxygen supply restricted. Its suitability depends on:
- adequate blanket dimensions;
- safe access to the person;
- correct deployment;
- keeping the face and airway clear; and
- immediate burn first aid afterwards.
Fire-class terminology is not identical in every country. International users should therefore check the classification system and fire-safety requirements applicable in their market.
Which Fire Classes Can You Use a Fire Blanket On? →
When should you not attempt to use a fire blanket?
Do not put yourself at risk attempting blanket deployment when:
- the person cannot be reached safely;
- dense smoke or intense heat blocks access;
- the fire has spread to the room, furniture or surrounding materials;
- flammable liquids, gases or reactive chemicals are involved;
- the blanket is too small to cover the burning clothing adequately;
- the assisting person would need to pass through flames; or
- personal safety or the escape route is threatened.
In these circumstances, alert the emergency services and follow their instructions. Do not enter a dangerous area to retrieve a blanket.
Installation, inspection and replacement
Install a fire blanket in a clearly visible and accessible location near the identified risk, but not where the likely fire itself could block access.
Suitable locations may include:
- near the exit from a kitchen;
- in a school practical room or laboratory;
- near a workshop doorway;
- at a first-aid or emergency station; or
- another location identified by the fire-risk assessment.
For professional environments, DVM recommends a documented visual inspection at least once a year. A conventional fire blanket is a single-use safety product and should be replaced after deployment on an actual fire.
Fire Blanket Installation, Inspection & Replacement Guide →
Conventional Fire Blankets and Fire Limitation Blankets are different products
The fire blankets discussed in this guide are conventional fire blankets intended for small, contained fires and appropriate clothing-fire intervention.
A Fire Limitation Blanket (FLB) is a much larger specialist product intended for professional vehicle-fire scenarios, including electric vehicles. It is not intended for wrapping around a person during a clothing fire.
The two product categories have different intended applications, dimensions, deployment methods and technical requirements and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Summary: what should you do if clothing catches fire?
- Stop, drop and roll immediately.
- Raise the alarm and contact the emergency services.
- Another person may use a sufficiently large fire blanket when it can be done safely.
- Keep the face, mouth and airway uncovered.
- Once the flames are out, begin appropriate burn cooling promptly.
- Obtain urgent medical assessment.
- Replace any fire blanket that has been deployed on the fire.
Within the DVM range, the 1.2 × 1.8 m fire blanket provides the greater body coverage preferred where clothing-fire preparedness is an identified risk.
Further information
- What Size Fire Blanket Do I Need?
- Which Fire Classes Can You Use a Fire Blanket On?
- Fire Blanket Installation, Inspection & Replacement Guide
- Fire Blankets in Professional Environments
- Fire Blanket FAQs
View DVM 1.2 × 1.8 m Fire Blanket → View All DVM Fire Blankets →