Fire Blankets for Shared Kitchens and Communal Cooking Areas

Shared kitchens in offices, co-living spaces, student residences and communal buildings combine frequent cooking with multiple users, different experience levels and changing routines.

Unattended pans, unfamiliar appliances, poor cleaning and distractions can increase the risk of small cooking fires. A fire blanket can provide a controlled first response when the fire is small, contained and fully coverable.

It should complement smoke alarms, suitable extinguishers, evacuation procedures and clear user instructions — never replace them.

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Common fire risks in shared kitchens

Les incidents typiques en phase initiale incluent :

• pan fires caused by unattended cooking;
• cooking oil or fat igniting on a hob;
• small electrical appliances overheating;
• tea towels, packaging or other loose materials catching fire;
• food or grease deposits igniting; and
• clothing catching fire while cooking.

A fire blanket is only appropriate while the burning area can be approached safely and covered completely. If flames spread to cabinets, an extractor hood, walls or ceilings, evacuate immediately.

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

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Why fire blankets suit communal kitchens

A conventional fire blanket contains no pressurised cylinder and does not discharge water, powder or foam. This can be useful in shared cooking areas containing food, electrical appliances and equipment used by many people.

Relevant advantages include:

• no discharged extinguishing residue;
• no pressurised spray that may disturb burning oil;
• a straightforward operating principle;
• compact and clearly visible wall-mounted storage;
• suitability for small cooking-oil fires when properly tested; and
• rapid access near an identified kitchen risk.

A straightforward operating principle does not mean that no instruction is required. Occupants or staff should understand how to deploy the blanket, why water must never be used on burning oil and when evacuation takes priority.

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Where should fire blankets be installed?

Install the blanket near the kitchen exit or doorway, not directly above or behind the hob, oven or fryer.

A suitable location should be:

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

In a large kitchen with several separate cooking zones, more than one blanket may be appropriate. Each unit should serve a defined risk area and remain reachable if another part of the kitchen is involved in fire.

Do not hide an operational fire blanket inside a cupboard or drawer.

Where Should You Keep a Fire Blanket? →

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How to use a fire blanket on a small pan fire

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

1. Raise the alarm and alert everyone nearby.
2. Keep a clear escape route behind you.
3. Switch off the heat source only when this can be done safely.
4. Pull the release tabs firmly downward.
5. Hold the blanket so that it protects your hands and upper body.
6. Place it gently over the entire pan or burning appliance.
7. Do not throw the blanket or disturb the burning oil.
8. Leave it in place until the pan and oil have cooled fully.
9. Replace the blanket after deployment on the fire.

Never pour water onto burning cooking oil or fat. Do not carry a burning pan outside and do not lift the blanket prematurely.

How to Safely Use a Fire Blanket →

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Electrical appliances in shared kitchens

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 components are within reach; and
• no developed lithium-ion battery incident is involved.

Do not touch damaged plugs, cables or the burning appliance. If the fire has spread into cabinets, sockets, wiring or surrounding materials, evacuate and contact the emergency services.

Fire Blankets for Electrical Appliance Fires →

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Choosing the correct size

1 × 1 m fire blanket

A 1 × 1 m blanket provides practical coverage for many standard shared-kitchen risks, including:

• domestic-size 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 may be preferred where:

• larger pans or cooking equipment are used;
• clothing-fire preparedness must be considered;
• the kitchen serves many occupants; or
• the site risk assessment identifies a need for greater coverage.

A larger blanket must still remain manageable for the people expected to deploy it.

What Size Fire Blanket Do I Need? →

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Safety Bag or Premium Box?

Premium Box

A rigid Premium Box may be preferable in a frequently used shared kitchen because it provides:

• permanent wall-mounted storage;
• strong visual recognition;
• additional protection for the packed blanket; and
• a consistent location known to occupants and staff.

Safety Bag

A flexible Safety Bag may suit:

• smaller communal kitchens;
• locations with limited wall space;
• temporary accommodation; and
• areas where a compact format is preferred.

Both versions should remain visible, wall mounted where practical and immediately accessible. Neither format should be exposed to excessive grease, heat, moisture or chemicals.

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Instructions for multiple users

Shared kitchens may be used by residents, employees, students, visitors or temporary occupants. Clear information is therefore especially important.

The responsible organisation should consider:

• clear signs identifying the blanket;
• simple operating instructions near the cooking area;
• instructions in the languages appropriate to the users;
• induction information for residents or employees;
• a prohibition on moving or obstructing the blanket;
• regular checks of escape routes and fire doors; and
• procedures for reporting damage, use or missing equipment.

Users should never assume that a fire blanket permits them to fight a growing or uncontrolled fire.

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When should you not use a fire blanket?

Do not attempt deployment when:

• flames have spread beyond the cooking surface;
• an extractor hood, cabinet, wall or ceiling is involved;
• the burning area is larger than the blanket;
• dense smoke affects visibility or the escape route;
• several pans, appliances or ignition points are involved;
• gas, fuel or pressurised equipment creates an additional hazard;
• the electrical supply cannot be approached safely; 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. High-use shared kitchens may justify more frequent checks.

Confirm that each 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 grease, moisture or other 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 →

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Résumé

A fire blanket can provide effective first-response protection in a shared kitchen when:

• the fire is small, contained and fully coverable;
• the blanket is clearly visible and safely accessible;
• users understand its basic operation and limitations;
• the correct size has been selected; and
• intervention does not delay evacuation.

For many standard pan and cooking-oil risks, the DVM 1 × 1 m Fire Blanket Series provides compact, 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 shared kitchen

View the kitchen fire blanket guide →

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Further information

• FAQ sur les couvertures anti-feu
• Fire Blankets for Workplace Safety
• Fire Blankets for Clothing and Person Fires
• View DVM Fire Blankets