Life Safety Essentials: Fire Blankets

Learning Objective: To understand the use and application of fire blankets in laboratories.

By Robert Trotter, CBO, CFM, MCP - Manager, Sr. Life Safety Specialist

In almost every hospital laboratory there is a fire blanket in a cabinet or container similar to the one pictured. During one survey the question was asked: where is the requirement for a fire blanket in a laboratory? There is no specific requirement for fire blankets in laboratories. However, the 2000 edition of NFPA 45, Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals Section 4.6.3.2* does require “Procedures for extinguishing clothing fires shall be established”. Fire blankets should be used only when immediately at hand. It should be recognized that rolling on the floor not only smothers the fire but also helps to keep flames out of the victim’s face, reducing inhalation of smoke. If procedures are not in place, fire blankets should be removed or such procedure established.

     The Appendix of NFPA 45 states: Laboratory personnel should be thoroughly indoctrinated in procedures to follow in cases of clothing fires. The most important instruction, one that should be stressed until it becomes second nature to all personnel, is to immediately drop to the floor and roll. All personnel should recognize that, in case of ignition of another person’s clothing, they should immediately knock that person to the floor and roll that person around to smother the flames. Too often a person will panic and run if clothing ignites, resulting in more severe, often fatal, burn injuries.

  

     Fire-retardant or flame-resistant clothing is one option available to help reduce the occurrence of clothing fires. Refer to NFPA 1975, Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Fire and Emergency Services, for performance requirements and test methods for fire-resistant clothing.