DIN SPEC 91489 vs DIN 91489-1: What Has Changed?

DVM International | Technical Insights

A practical comparison of the 2024 specification and the new 2026 German standard for EV fire limitation blankets.

In November 2026, an important development took place in the standardisation of fire limitation blankets for electric vehicles.

The original DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11 was succeeded by DIN 91489-1:2026-11, a formal German standard addressing the technical requirements for these products.

For manufacturers, testing laboratories, distributors and professional buyers, the transition involves more than a change of document number.

Several requirements have been revised, including material fire classification, deployment time, storage protection, mechanical testing and thermal test procedures.

This article explains the most relevant differences and what they mean in practice.

1. From DIN SPEC to a German Standard

DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11 was developed through DIN's Publicly Available Specification (PAS) procedure.

It established a technical framework for evaluating fire limitation blankets intended for use with electric vehicles.

However, a DIN SPEC is not equivalent to a formal DIN standard developed through the regular standards committee process.

DIN 91489-1:2026-11 represents the next stage in standardisation. It was prepared by the relevant DIN firefighting and fire protection standards committee and provides a revised framework for technical evaluation.

Importantly, neither document describes fire limitation blankets as active extinguishing agents. Their primary purpose remains the temporary and spatial limitation of fire spread.

For an example of a professional EV fire limitation blanket, see the DVM-FLB-6×8 product page.

2. The Main Changes at a Glance

The following table summarises the principal differences between the two editions.

These changes should not automatically be interpreted as making the entire standard either stricter or less demanding. Some requirements have become more demanding, while others have been simplified or clarified.

3. A More Demanding Material Fire Classification

One of the most significant technical changes concerns the reaction-to-fire classification of the textile material.

The original DIN SPEC required at least class B-d0 under DIN EN 13501-1. The new DIN 91489-1:2026-11 requires at least A2-s1,d0 for the relevant textile construction, including coatings, laminations and finishes.

This classification describes the fire behaviour of the tested material, not the amount of smoke released by an EV battery or the complete performance of a blanket during a vehicle fire.

The distinction between base fabric and finished coated material is particularly important. A classification report for an uncoated textile does not automatically establish the classification of the finished coated or laminated construction.

4. Deployment Time and Storage Requirements

The new standard changes the maximum deployment time from 30 to 60 seconds. The procedure continues to evaluate deployment by two people under defined conditions.

This provides a longer operational time allowance without removing the requirement to demonstrate practical handling.

The storage container requirement has also changed from IP65 to IP45. Both ratings provide protection against solid objects and water ingress, but IP45 permits a different level of protection against dust and water exposure.

For manufacturers, these changes may influence product design, packaging and test planning. For buyers, the important question is whether the actual product and its container have been evaluated against the applicable standard edition.

5. Revised Thermal Resistance Testing

Thermal resistance remains one of the most important aspects of an EV fire limitation blanket.

Both editions address demanding thermal exposure, but the 2026 standard revises the prescribed test procedures and failure criteria.

The changes include aspects of specimen preparation, test configuration and the assessment of damage following exposure.

These differences matter because a blanket cannot be considered compliant merely because its fabric is advertised as resistant to a particular maximum temperature.

A test report referring to DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11 should not automatically be treated as proof of conformity with DIN 91489-1:2026-11.

For the latest information about the construction and testing programme of our EV blanket, visit the DVM-FLB-6×8 technical product page.

6. Mechanical Strength and Handling

The new standard clarifies requirements relating to cut resistance and mechanical stability.

The cut-resistance procedure is more precisely specified, including the orientation of test specimens and the treatment of blankets intended for one-sided or two-sided use.

The minimum cutting-force requirement remains 2 N, while the higher cut-protection classification requires at least 15 N.

The mechanical strength test evaluates the integrity of the blanket and its handling loops under prescribed loading conditions.

These tests are relevant because an EV blanket must remain manageable and structurally intact during deployment and handling.

High thermal resistance alone is insufficient if the blanket cannot withstand the mechanical demands of its intended use.

7. Marking, Documentation and Chemical Resistance

DIN 91489-1:2026-11 introduces or clarifies requirements concerning documentation and product identification.

The standard specifies permanent product identification, including manufacturer or distributor information, the applicable standard, production date, model or type designation and batch identification.

It also requires manufacturers to make it possible to provide a clearly readable warning corresponding to the German instruction "Nur mit Sprühstrahl löschen" (use a spray jet for firefighting).

This requirement should not be interpreted as meaning that a blanket replaces conventional firefighting or that water application is appropriate in every possible incident scenario.

The revised standard also explicitly requires supporting evidence for chemical resistance, which may be provided through suitable technical documentation or test reports.

8. What Does This Mean for Professional Buyers?

When reviewing a supplier's technical documentation, professional buyers should establish:

• Standard edition: which version was used for testing?
• Tested product: does the evidence represent the finished blanket?
• Material classification: were coatings and laminations included?
• Test scope: were thermal, mechanical and deployment requirements evaluated?
• Traceability: can the report be linked to the supplied product?
• Documentation: do markings and instructions reflect the claimed edition?

A statement such as "DIN tested" is not sufficiently precise on its own. The actual standard reference, testing scope and documented results are what matter.

9. The DVM International Approach

DVM International is developing the DVM-FLB-6×8, a 6 × 8 metre EV Fire Limitation Blanket intended for professional applications.

Our approach is to distinguish between product design specifications, material characteristics and independently verified finished-product performance.

An independent SGS testing programme is intended to provide supporting evidence for the product's technical claims.

Until the final results have been assessed against the relevant requirements, conformity with DIN 91489-1:2026-11 should not be assumed.

We believe that reliable fire safety claims should be supported by transparent, independently verifiable evidence.

Conclusion

The transition from DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11 to DIN 91489-1:2026-11 is an important development for the EV fire limitation blanket industry.

The new standard retains the fundamental concept of fire limitation while revising technical requirements, test methods and documentation.

For manufacturers, this creates a clearer framework for product development and verification. For professional buyers, it reinforces the importance of independently documented performance and precise references to the applicable standard edition.

A credible technical claim should identify not only the standard, but also the evidence demonstrating that the finished product meets its requirements.

References and Further Reading

1. DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11 — Requirements for fire limitation blankets for use with electric vehicles. DIN Media.
2. DIN 91489-1:2026-11 — Fire containment blankets, Part 1: Requirements for fire containment blankets for use with electric vehicles. DIN Media.
3. DIN 91489:2026-02 — Draft standard, February 2026. DIN Media.

This article provides a technical overview and does not replace the complete official standard. Product conformity must be assessed against the applicable requirements and supporting test evidence.