Fire Blankets for Boats and Marine Safety

Fires on boats and yachts can develop rapidly. Confined spaces, limited escape routes, electrical systems, cooking equipment, fuel and combustible interior materials can turn a small incident into a serious emergency.

A conventional fire blanket may provide a controlled first response to a small, accessible and fully coverable fire. It should complement the vessel’s alarms, extinguishers, shutdown procedures and emergency plan — never replace them.

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Common fire risks on boats

Typical early-stage incidents may include:

• small pan fires in a galley;
• cooking oil or fat igniting on a hob;
• small electrical-appliance fires after power isolation;
• loose textiles or clothing catching fire;
• small portable equipment or objects igniting; and
• limited fires involving materials that can be covered completely.

A conventional fire blanket is not intended for a developed engine-compartment fire, leaking fuel, gas cylinders, battery banks, structural fires or incidents that cannot be fully covered.

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

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Why a fire blanket may suit marine environments

A fire blanket contains no pressurised cylinder and does not discharge water, powder or foam. This can be useful in compact cabins and galleys containing food, electrical equipment, furnishings and navigation systems.

Relevant advantages include:

• compact storage in limited spaces;
• no discharged extinguishing residue;
• a straightforward operating principle for instructed users;
• suitability for small cooking-oil fires when properly tested;
• potential use for clothing fires when the size is suitable; and
• the ability to complement appropriate marine extinguishers.

A straightforward operating principle does not mean that no instruction is required. Crew and regular users should know the blanket’s location, correct deployment method and limitations before leaving shore.

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Where should a fire blanket be installed on board?

Install the blanket close to the identified risk, but not where flames, smoke or heat could block access.

Suitable locations may include:

• near the exit from the galley;
• on a visible bulkhead outside the cooking area;
• near, but not directly beside, small electrical appliances;
• close to a cabin or saloon exit where clothing-fire risk exists; and
• at another location identified in the vessel’s safety plan.

The blanket should be:

• clearly visible and marked;
• reachable without crossing the likely fire area;
• protected from water, fuel, oil and cleaning chemicals;
• unobstructed by equipment, luggage or clothing; and
• positioned with an escape route behind the user.

Larger vessels may require more than one blanket where risks are separated by decks, cabins or compartments.

Where Should You Keep a Fire Blanket? →

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How to use a fire blanket on a small galley fire

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

1. Raise the alarm and alert everyone on board.
2. Keep a clear escape route behind you.
3. Switch off the heat, gas or electrical supply 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 gently over the entire pan or burning object.
7. Do not throw the blanket or disturb burning oil.
8. Leave it in place until the fire source has 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 through the vessel or lift the blanket prematurely.

How to Safely Use a Fire Blanket →

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Fuel, oil and engine-compartment fires

A conventional fire blanket should not be presented as a general solution for marine fuel, oil or engine-compartment fires.

Do not attempt blanket deployment when:

• fuel or oil is leaking or spreading;
• vapours may ignite or explode;
• a fuel tank, line or pressurised system is involved;
• flames originate inside an engine compartment;
• the complete burning area cannot be covered; or
• opening a hatch would expose the user or supply additional oxygen.

Opening an engine hatch may intensify the fire and expose the user to flames, smoke or component failure. Follow the vessel’s shutdown, fixed-suppression and emergency procedures.

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Electrical equipment on boats

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

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

• the electrical supply has been isolated safely;
• the incident remains confined to a small appliance or object;
• the complete burning area can be covered;
• no exposed live components are within reach; and
• no developed lithium-ion battery incident is involved.

Do not touch damaged wiring, chargers, batteries or electrical panels. Do not pick up or carry a burning, swollen or venting battery-powered device.

A conventional fire blanket is not intended for battery banks, high-voltage systems, propulsion batteries or concealed wiring fires.

Fire Blankets for Electrical Appliance Fires →

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Clothing fires on board

When clothing catches fire, the person should be told to stop, drop and roll where possible.

Another person may use a sufficiently large fire blanket to help smother the flames when this can be done safely.

When applying the blanket:

• keep the face and airway uncovered;
• cover from the shoulders downward;
• do not wrap tightly around the neck;
• keep the person low while smothering the flames;
• contact the appropriate emergency service; and
• begin burn first aid immediately afterwards.

Cool affected skin with cool running water for at least 20 minutes where possible. Do not remove clothing that has melted or adhered to the skin.

Fire Blankets for Clothing Fires →

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Choosing the correct size

1 × 1 m fire blanket

A 1 × 1 m blanket provides practical coverage for many small onboard risks, including:

• standard pans in compact galleys;
• small cooking-oil and fat fires;
• compact appliances after power isolation; 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 cooking equipment is present;
• clothing-fire preparedness must be considered;
• the vessel carries several occupants; or
• the onboard risk assessment identifies a need for greater coverage.

The selected blanket must remain manageable within the confined spaces of the vessel.

Neither size is intended to cover an engine compartment, battery installation or complete vessel.

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 for:

• permanent wall or bulkhead mounting;
• strong visual recognition;
• shared or frequently used galleys;
• locations where the packed blanket needs additional physical protection; and
• consistent placement known to crew and passengers.

Safety Bag

A flexible Safety Bag may suit:

• smaller vessels with limited mounting space;
• compact cabins or galleys;
• mobile emergency equipment; and
• locations where a lightweight format is preferred.

Neither format is automatically waterproof or suitable for unprotected outdoor storage. Both should be kept dry, clean and protected from salt water, fuel, oil, UV exposure and physical damage.

An operational blanket should not be buried in a locker or beneath other equipment. It must remain visible and immediately accessible.

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When should you not use a fire blanket?

Do not attempt blanket deployment when:

• the fire is spreading rapidly;
• smoke or heat affects visibility or escape routes;
• fuel, gas or pressurised systems are involved;
• an engine compartment or battery bank is involved;
• several objects or compartments are burning;
• the burning area cannot be covered completely;
• opening a hatch or door may intensify the fire;
• abandonment or evacuation procedures have begun; or
• personal safety is uncertain.

Follow the vessel’s alarm, shutdown, containment, distress and evacuation procedures. Contact the appropriate maritime emergency or rescue service.

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Inspection and replacement

DVM recommends a documented visual inspection at least once every year. Marine environments may justify more frequent checks because of moisture, salt, vibration and temperature changes.

Confirm that each blanket:

• remains at its designated location;
• is visible and unobstructed;
• has secure mounting and intact packaging;
• has undamaged and accessible pull tabs;
• has readable instructions and product identification;
• shows no water, salt, fuel, oil or chemical contamination;
• has not been deployed or removed without authorisation; and
• is included in the vessel’s safety-equipment records.

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 conventional fire blanket can provide useful onboard first-response protection when:

• the fire is small, contained and fully coverable;
• fuel, gas, batteries and engine systems are not involved;
• the blanket is visible and safely accessible;
• the correct size has been selected; and
• intervention does not delay evacuation or distress procedures.

For many small galley and appliance 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 boat and marine use

View the car, BBQ and outdoor fire blanket guide →

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Further information

• FAQ sur les couvertures anti-feu
• Couvertures anti-feu pour les feux de cuisine
• Couverture anti-feu vs extincteur
• View DVM Fire Blankets