Couvertures anti-feu pour les appartements et les logements partagés

Apartments, flats and shared living spaces combine kitchens, electrical appliances, furnishings and escape routes within a relatively compact area. A small fire can therefore threaten several occupants and may affect neighbouring rooms or homes if it is not controlled quickly.

A fire blanket can provide a clean and controlled first response to a small, contained and fully coverable fire. It should complement smoke alarms, evacuation planning and suitable extinguishing equipment — never replace them.

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Common fire risks in apartments

Les incidents typiques en phase initiale incluent :

• pan fires involving cooking oil or fat;
• small fires in compact kitchen appliances;
• electrical-appliance faults after the power has been isolated;
• candles or heaters igniting curtains or other textiles;
• small waste-bin or paper fires; and
• clothing catching fire while cooking.

A fire blanket is only appropriate while the fire remains small enough to approach and cover completely. If flames spread to cabinets, furniture, walls or ceilings, evacuate immediately.

What Fire Classes Can a Fire Blanket Be Used On? →

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Why fire blankets suit shared living spaces

A conventional fire blanket contains no pressurised cylinder and does not discharge water, powder or foam. This can be useful in compact homes where people, food, electronics and furnishings are close together.

Relevant advantages include:

• compact storage in a visible location;
• no discharged extinguishing residue;
• a straightforward operating principle;
• suitability for small cooking-oil fires when properly tested;
• potential use for clothing fires when the size is suitable; and
• limited space required for installation.

A straightforward operating principle does not mean that no instruction is needed. Occupants should know where the blanket is installed, how to deploy it and when evacuation is the safer action.

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Where should the fire blanket be installed?

For most apartments, the kitchen is the primary location. Install the blanket near the kitchen exit or doorway rather than directly above or behind the hob.

A suitable location should be:

• clearly visible;
• within comfortable reach of the intended adult users;
• accessible without crossing the likely fire area;
• away from heat, steam, grease and moisture;
• unobstructed by furniture, doors or stored items; and
• positioned with a clear escape route behind the user.

In a studio apartment, the blanket may be placed where it is visible from both the cooking and living areas, provided the likely kitchen fire cannot block access to it.

Do not hide an operational fire blanket in a drawer or closed cupboard. Searching for it wastes time and may require the user to move closer to the fire.

Where Should You Keep a Fire Blanket? →

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How to use a fire blanket in an apartment

Only attempt deployment when the fire is small, safely reachable and fully coverable.

1. Raise the alarm and alert the other occupants.
2. Keep a clear escape route behind you.
3. Switch off the heat or electricity only when safe.
4. Pull the release tabs firmly downward.
5. Hold the blanket so that it protects your hands and upper body.
6. Place it carefully over the complete burning area.
7. Do not move a burning pan or appliance.
8. Leave the blanket in place until the fire source has cooled fully.

Do not delay evacuation to retrieve or use the blanket. If smoke is increasing, the fire is spreading or the exit may become blocked, leave immediately and contact the emergency services.

How to Safely Use a Fire Blanket →

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Keep doors closed when evacuating

Opening windows or unnecessary doors during a fire may increase airflow and support flame development.

When evacuation is required:

• leave by the nearest safe escape route;
• close doors behind you where possible;
• do not use a lift;
• do not return to collect belongings; and
• call the emergency services from a safe location.

Always follow the fire and evacuation procedures applicable to the building.

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Electrical appliances in apartments

Electricity is not a separate formal European fire class. Energised equipment does, however, create additional shock and arc hazards.

A fire blanket may be considered for a small appliance fire only when:

• the electrical supply has been isolated wherever safely possible;
• the fire remains confined to the appliance;
• the complete burning object can be covered;
• no exposed live parts are within reach; and
• no developed lithium-ion battery incident is involved.

Do not touch damaged cables, sockets or the burning appliance. Do not pick up or carry a hot, swollen or burning battery-powered device.

Fire Blankets for Electrical Appliance Fires →

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Cooking-oil and pan fires

A small cooking-oil or fat fire is one of the principal applications of a properly tested fire blanket.

For a pan fire:

• switch off the heat only when safe;
• do not pour water onto the burning oil;
• do not carry the pan outside;
• place the blanket carefully over the entire pan; and
• leave it covered until the pan and oil have cooled fully.

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.

View the TÜV SÜD test report and fire-test videos →

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Choosing the correct size

1 × 1 m fire blanket

A 1 × 1 m blanket provides practical coverage for many common apartment risks, including:

• standard domestic pans;
• small cooking-oil and fat fires;
• compact kitchen appliances; and
• small, fully coverable objects.

1.2 × 1.8 m fire blanket

The larger 1.2 × 1.8 m version provides additional surface area and is the preferred DVM size where:

• larger cooking equipment is present;
• clothing-fire preparedness must be considered;
• several different fire risks exist; or
• greater coverage is required by the household risk assessment.

A larger blanket is not automatically the best choice. It must remain manageable for the people expected to use it.

What Size Fire Blanket Do I Need? →

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Safety Bag or Premium Box?

Safety Bag

The flexible Safety Bag is compact and suitable for apartments with limited wall space. It can still be wall mounted and should remain clearly visible and immediately accessible.

Premium Box

The rigid Premium Box provides protected wall-mounted storage and strong visual recognition. It may be preferable in shared kitchens, corridors, student accommodation or communal residential areas.

Both formats contain the same type of fire blanket in the selected size. The correct choice depends on visibility, protection, installation space and the people using the building.

Neither version should be hidden inside a cupboard or drawer if it is intended for emergency use.

How to Install a Fire Blanket →

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Do you need more than one fire blanket?

One blanket may be adequate for a small apartment with one clearly defined kitchen risk. Additional blankets may be appropriate when:

• the home has more than one floor;
• the kitchen and utility area are separated;
• there is a separate garage, workshop or outdoor kitchen;
• one fire could block access to the only blanket; or
• the property contains several independent households or shared kitchens.

It is better to position separate blankets near distinct risks than to expect one unit to be carried through the building during an emergency.

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When should you not use a fire blanket?

Do not attempt deployment when:

• the fire is larger than the blanket;
• flames have spread beyond one object or appliance;
• dense smoke prevents clear visibility;
• heat or flames threaten the escape route;
• several ignition points are involved;
• gas, fuel, chemicals or batteries create an additional hazard;
• the burning area cannot be covered completely; or
• personal safety is uncertain.

Evacuate immediately, close doors behind you where possible and contact the emergency services.

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Inspection and replacement

DVM recommends a documented visual inspection at least once every year. Check that the blanket:

• remains in its designated position;
• is visible and unobstructed;
• has intact packaging and pull tabs;
• has readable operating instructions;
• shows no visible contamination or damage; and
• has not been removed or deployed without authorisation.

Routine inspection should normally be carried out without fully unfolding the blanket.

Replace the blanket after deployment on an actual fire. Do not wash, clean, repair or refold it for emergency reuse.

Fire Blanket Inspection & Maintenance →

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Résumé

A fire blanket can provide valuable first-response protection in apartments and shared living spaces when:

• the fire is small, contained and fully coverable;
• the blanket is visible and safely accessible;
• the user keeps a clear escape route;
• the correct size has been selected; and
• evacuation is not delayed.

For many domestic kitchen risks, the DVM 1 × 1 m fire blanket provides compact and independently tested protection. Choose the 1.2 × 1.8 m version where greater coverage or clothing-fire preparedness is required.

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Choose a fire blanket for your apartment

View the home fire blanket guide →

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Further information

• FAQ sur les couvertures anti-feu
• Couvertures anti-feu pour les feux de cuisine
• Fire Blankets for Clothing and Person Fires
• View DVM Fire Blankets