Couvertures anti-feu pour bureaux et bâtiments commerciaux : Première intervention contrôlée
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Couvertures anti-feu pour bureaux et bâtiments commerciaux : Première intervention contrôlée
Offices and commercial buildings combine electrical equipment, shared kitchens, paper, furniture and large numbers of occupants. Many incidents begin as a small, localised fire but can develop rapidly when smoke spreads or the wrong action is taken.
A fire blanket can provide a controlled first response to a small, contained and fully coverable fire. It should complement the building’s alarm, evacuation plan, fire extinguishers and emergency procedures — never replace them.
Typical fire risks in offices and commercial buildings
Relevant early-stage fire scenarios may include:
- small fires in office kitchens or break rooms;
- compact electrical appliances after the power has been isolated;
- small waste-bin fires involving paper;
- burning clothing or textiles; and
- other limited objects that can be covered completely.
A fire blanket should not be used when flames have spread into furniture, walls, ceilings, cabinets or several items at the same time.
What Fire Classes Can a Fire Blanket Be Used On? →
Why a fire blanket may suit an office environment
A conventional fire blanket contains no pressurised cylinder and does not discharge powder, foam or water. This can be useful in areas containing computers, documents, food or sensitive equipment.
Its main advantages are:
- compact wall-mounted storage;
- no discharged extinguishing residue;
- a straightforward operating principle;
- effective flame suppression on suitable small fires; and
- availability in different sizes and packaging formats.
A straightforward operating principle does not mean that no instruction is required. Staff must still understand when a fire is small enough to approach, how to maintain an escape route and when evacuation takes priority.
Where should office fire blankets be installed?
Install each blanket near the identified risk, but not so close that a fire could block access to it.
Suitable positions may include:
- near the exit from an office kitchen or break room;
- on a clearly visible wall outside a small technical room;
- near, but not directly beside, compact electrical appliances;
- in a workshop or service area with a clearly identified small-fire risk; and
- at a position aligned with the building’s escape and emergency plan.
Do not hide the blanket inside a cupboard or drawer, and do not install it directly above a cooker, appliance or other likely ignition source.
Where Should You Keep a Fire Blanket? →
How should staff use a fire blanket?
A fire blanket should only be considered when the fire is small, contained, safely reachable and fully coverable.
- Raise the alarm and alert nearby occupants.
- Keep a clear escape route behind you.
- Isolate electricity, gas or heat only when 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 area.
- Leave it in position until the equipment or material has cooled fully.
Never delay evacuation to retrieve or use a fire blanket. If smoke is increasing, the fire is spreading or the exit may become blocked, leave the area immediately and contact the emergency services.
How to Safely Use a Fire Blanket →
Electrical equipment in office environments
Electrical equipment under voltage is not a separate formal European fire class. Electricity creates an additional shock and arc risk, while the material that continues to burn determines the fire classification after isolation.
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 or a small 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, chargers, batteries or the burning appliance. A conventional fire blanket is not intended for high-voltage equipment, developed lithium-ion battery fires or a fire that has spread into furniture or the building structure.
Fire Blankets for Electrical Appliance Fires →
Choosing the right fire blanket for an office
1 × 1 m fire blanket
A 1 × 1 m blanket is suitable for many small, contained office risks, such as:
- standard pans in a staff kitchen;
- small cooking-oil or fat fires;
- compact kitchen appliances;
- small paper or textile fires; and
- limited appliance fires after electrical isolation.
1.2 × 1.8 m fire blanket
The larger 1.2 × 1.8 m version provides additional coverage and is the preferred DVM size where:
- larger cooking equipment is present;
- clothing-fire preparedness must be considered;
- the site contains varied fire risks; or
- the workplace risk assessment calls for greater surface area.
A larger blanket must still remain practical for the intended staff members to remove, hold and deploy.
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. This provides product-specific independent evidence for small, contained Class F cooking-oil and fat fire risks in office kitchens and break rooms.
The result applies to the tested complete DVM 1 × 1 m series. Fabric weight should not be considered in isolation when comparing unrelated products, because performance also depends on the weave, seams, dimensions, pull tabs, packaging and complete product construction.
Safety Bag or Premium Box?
Safety Bag
The flexible Safety Bag is a compact option for offices with limited wall space, smaller kitchens or other locations where a lightweight format is preferred.
Premium Box
The rigid Premium Box provides protected wall-mounted storage and strong visual recognition. It may be preferable in shared kitchens, corridors, workshops and other areas used by multiple employees or visitors.
Neither packaging format should be exposed to excessive heat, grease, moisture or chemicals. Visibility, accessibility and correct placement are more important than the packaging format alone.
When should staff not use a fire blanket?
Do not attempt to use a fire blanket when:
- the fire is larger than the blanket;
- flames are spreading rapidly;
- several objects or ignition sources are involved;
- smoke or heat affects the escape route;
- live electrical components cannot be avoided;
- fuel, gas, chemicals or batteries create an additional hazard;
- the fire cannot be covered completely; or
- evacuation has begun or personal safety is uncertain.
In these situations, close doors behind you where possible, evacuate and contact the emergency services.
Inspection and replacement
DVM recommends a documented visual inspection at least once every year. The inspection should confirm that the blanket:
- remains in its designated location;
- is visible and immediately accessible;
- has undamaged packaging and pull tabs;
- has readable operating instructions;
- shows no visible contamination or damage; and
- has not been deployed or handled without authorisation.
Routine inspection should normally be performed without fully unfolding the blanket.
A blanket used on an actual fire must be removed from service and replaced. It should not be washed, repaired or refolded for emergency reuse.
Fire Blanket Inspection & Maintenance →
A supporting measure, not a substitute for evacuation
A fire blanket can provide a brief and controlled first response to a suitable small fire. It is not a replacement for:
- fire detection and alarms;
- working escape routes;
- appropriate fire extinguishers;
- staff instructions and emergency procedures;
- the building fire-risk assessment; or
- professional emergency response.
For offices and commercial buildings, the correct role of a fire blanket is to support a layered fire-safety strategy while protecting evacuation as the primary priority.
Choose a fire blanket for your workplace
For many standard office-kitchen and small-appliance risks, the DVM 1 × 1 m fire blanket provides compact, documented protection. Choose the 1.2 × 1.8 m version where greater coverage or clothing-fire preparedness is required.
View the workplace fire blanket guide →