Fire Limitation Blanket Reference Specification

The DVM Fire Limitation Blanket Reference Specification provides a concise, practical overview of the principal requirements for Fire Limitation Blankets used with electric vehicles.

It is intended primarily for professional buyers, distributors, OEM customers, private-label partners, quality managers and other technical decision-makers who need to understand what should be specified, documented and verified before purchasing an EV fire blanket.

Technical basis: E DIN 91489:2026-02
Status: Draft standard intended to replace DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11
Purpose: Professional product specification, supplier assessment and procurement support

1. Purpose and Scope

This Reference Specification helps professional buyers understand the principal requirements that should be considered when evaluating Fire Limitation Blankets for electric vehicles.

• preparation of requests for quotation and tenders;
• supplier and product evaluation;
• review of test reports and supplier information;
• OEM and private-label procurement;
• comparison of products offered by different suppliers;
• documented purchasing decisions.

It applies to blankets intended for use on electric vehicles. It does not apply to direct use on a removed and opened traction battery.

2. Intended Function and Limitations

Fire Limitation Blankets are intended for proactive fire limitation. Their purpose is to help limit the spatial and temporary spread of fire and the associated smoke and heat development around an electric vehicle.

They may support professional incident management, for example when separating a critical vehicle from surrounding vehicles or when securing an extinguished or damaged vehicle in a quarantine area.

3. Product Identification and Basic Construction

A product should be identified sufficiently clearly for the buyer to match the offered blanket with the relevant test report and manufacturer documentation.

• manufacturer and responsible supplier;
• model and type designation;
• finished dimensions and declared tolerances;
• product weight;
• base material and number of material layers;
• top and bottom orientation where the two sides differ;
• manufacturing date and batch identification;
• storage-container configuration;
• applicable technical-rule edition.

The blanket must be rectangular; a square is also considered rectangular. Dimensional tolerances must be stated in the data sheet and may not exceed 5%.

Open sewn edges must be protected against thread release or fraying.

4. Handling Loops and Position Markings

Handling loops are a critical part of the product because they determine how the blanket is removed, positioned and pulled over the vehicle.

• at least one handling loop at each of the four corners;
• flame-retardant loop material;
• different loop colours on non-square blankets so that the pulling direction can be identified;
• red loops on the pulling side;
• loops large enough to enclose a cylinder with a diameter of at least 0.15 m;
• marking of the midpoint of every side;
• clear top and bottom markings where the blanket can only be used on one side.

5. Application and Deployment

Each model must be demonstrated as a complete product, beginning with the blanket inside its supplied storage container.

The manufacturer information should also state that the selected blanket size must cover the critical object completely and extend at least 0.5 m flat onto the ground on all sides.

Ground conditions such as drains, gullies and channels may affect the function of the blanket and must be considered.

6. Storage Container and Vehicle Identification

The blanket must be stored in a suitable container that preserves its functionality.

• a minimum storage-container protection level of IP45;
• sufficient container size to allow manual repacking after permitted multiple use;
• inclusion of a suitable storage container with the blanket, except where only a replacement blanket is supplied;
• a transparent and waterproof document pouch capable of holding an unfolded A4 sheet for identifying a covered vehicle.

7. Thermal and Fire Performance

Fire Limitation Blankets must be evaluated for thermal resistance using the test method defined in Annex A of E DIN 91489:2026-02.

• continuous thermal loading with direct flame exposure;
• continuous thermal loading without direct flame exposure while simulating the use of extinguishing media;
• defined temperature cycles;
• documentation by time-stamped video or photographs;
• a test report and an expert opinion on the intended use.

The blanket must also achieve at least classification B with d0 according to DIN EN 13501-1.

8. Mechanical Stability

Mechanical performance must be supported by objective test evidence.

• cut resistance of at least performance level A under DIN EN ISO 13997;
• performance level D where increased cut protection is claimed;
• verification of the stability of loops and the complete blanket;
• diagonal loading with 100 kg for at least 60 seconds, followed by an additional 25 kg impact load;
• no open tearing of the blanket and no failure of the loaded handling loops;
• equivalent load resistance for any eyelets incorporated into the blanket.

9. Chemical, Electrical and Radio-Frequency Information

The product must remain functional after contact with typical contaminants encountered during use, including oils, greases, fuels, water containing extinguishing agents and battery acids.

• friction during deployment may generate electrostatic charge;
• electrostatic discharge may create an ignition risk where flammable battery gases are present;
• the blanket does not protect against electric shock;
• direct application of a hollow-stream fire-service nozzle onto the blanket should be avoided.

The blanket must also indicate whether it is permeable to high-frequency radio signals such as mobile communication and eCall.

10. Service Life, Multiple Use and Disposal

The manufacturer must state the expected service life of the blanket when it has not been exposed to a fire event and has been stored under the specified conditions.

Multiple use is only permitted where:

• the blanket has not been exposed to a fire event;
• it has not been damaged, including by tears or UV exposure;
• it has not been contaminated, or it can be cleaned in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions;
• its continued functionality can be confirmed.

A blanket used during a fire event must be disposed of correctly. Manufacturer information must include cleaning, reuse and disposal instructions.

11. Marking and Manufacturer Information

Every product must carry durable and clearly visible identification, including:

• manufacturer or responsible supplier;
• technical-rule reference and edition;
• manufacturing month and year;
• model and type number;
• batch number.

The storage container must show the local product name and the English product name in clear, contrasting capital letters. The draft DIN recommends the English term FIRE LIMITATION BLANKET.

A clearly visible graphical symbol and sufficiently large application pictograms must also be provided.

The supplied manufacturer information must cover at least:

• product identification, material, size, weight and tolerances;
• reuse, cleaning and disposal;
• service life and permitted environmental temperature;
• product limitations and safety warnings;
• commissioning and application instructions;
• required instructed personnel;
• vehicle coverage and ground conditions;
• fixation and possible pressure effects;
• monitoring because delayed reignition may occur;
• regular visual inspection and recommended annual inspection;
• folding instructions;
• cut-protection level;
• application pictograms;
• radio-frequency permeability.

12. Test Report Requirements

The buyer should request a test report that identifies the exact product being offered.

• model and type designation;
• manufacturer or responsible supplier;
• reference to the applicable technical-rule edition;
• measured dimensions and weight;
• application-test results;
• thermal-test results and measured temperature curves;
• mechanical-stability results;
• an expert opinion concerning intended use;
• deviations and observed peculiarities;
• test date;
• manufacturer declarations for requirements not tested by the laboratory;
• the name and address of the organisation issuing the expert opinion.

13. What a Professional Buyer Should Verify

Before accepting an offer, the buyer should be able to answer the following questions:

• Is the exact model and manufacturer clearly identified?
• Does the test report apply to the offered model?
• Are dimensions, tolerances and weight stated?
• Does the application test meet the 60-second criterion?
• Are dry and wet deployment videos available?
• Are thermal and mechanical test results available?
• Does the storage container meet IP45?
• Are the loops, markings and document pouch present?
• Are limitations, reuse and disposal explained honestly?
• Are all required manufacturer instructions available?

DVM provides separate procurement documents that allow this information to be requested from suppliers and compared in a consistent format.

Related Reference Pages

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Important: This DVM Reference Specification provides professional technical and procurement guidance. It does not reproduce or replace E DIN 91489:2026-02, the final DIN standard when published, applicable legislation, product-specific test reports, manufacturer instructions, risk assessments or emergency procedures.