Fire Blanket vs Fire Extinguisher: Which Is Right for the Job?
You’ve probably wondered whether you should keep fire blankets and fire extinguishers readily accessible together, or if it makes more sense to have them separate in different areas. The truth is, fire blankets and fire extinguishers serve different but complementary roles in fire safety.
Understanding when to use each piece of equipment can mean the difference between containing a small fire quickly and allowing it to escalate. Both have their place in a comprehensive fire safety strategy – but knowing when to use each is critical.
Here’s an example:
You’re prepping for a big event, and your catering staff is in full swing. A pan of oil on the hob suddenly ignites. The flames leap up and begin to spread. Your chef freezes for a split second, looking between the fire blanket on the wall and the fire extinguisher by the door.
Which one should they reach for? Making the wrong choice could mean using water on an oil fire, wasting precious seconds, or escalating the situation. Both fire blankets and fire extinguishers save lives, but they’re designed for different situations.
If you are unsure or need a refresher, read on…
Fire Blankets vs Fire Extinguishers: The Basics
To really understand which situations and scenarios require which fire safety method, you need to know the differences between fire blankets and fire extinguishers. Other than the obvious, one is a big red cylinder, and the other is a type of fabric covering. What other qualities differ, and how can they help you in an emergency situation?
Fire Blankets:
Fire blankets are made up of layers of fire-resistant sheets. Typically, fibreglass or treated wool. They work by smothering flames and depriving the fire of oxygen.
You can expect them to come in 1m x 1m or 1.2m x 1.8m sizes and comply with British Standard: BS EN 1869:2019.
Fire Extinguishers:
These are metal cylinders that contain fire-suppressing agents. They have a handle and nozzle that allow the agent to be sprayed onto and around the fire. There are different types of fire extinguishers for different types of fires and environments, so they require specific training to be used effectively. All fire extinguishers should comply with British Standard: BS EN 3.
Common Types of Fire Extinguishers:
- Red: Contains Water – For class A fires (paper, wood, textiles)
- Cream: Contains foam – For class A and B fires
- Black: Contains CO2 – For electrical and Class B fires
- Blue: Contains powder – Multi-purpose
- Yellow: Contains wet chemical – Class F fires (cooking oils/fats)
When And How To Use A Fire Blanket
Fire blankets are only effective on fires smaller than the blanket itself. Typically, no larger than a standard frying pan.
They’re ideal for:
Small cooking oil/fat fires – Pan fires, small deep fat fryer fires
Clothing fires – Wrapping around a person whose clothing has caught fire
Very small contained fires – Waste bins, small electrical fires (once unplugged)
How to Use:
- Pull down sharply on the release tapes
- Protect your hands by wrapping the corners around them
- Hold it as a shield in front of you
- Place gently over fire (don’t throw)
- Turn off the heat source if safe
- Leave for at least 15 minutes
- Never lift to check
When And How To Use A Fire Extinguisher
Fire extinguishers are ideal for larger controllable fires, those bigger than a waste paper bin, and spreading beyond the initial source. And fires requiring distance, when the heat is too intense to get close.
Specific fire types:
- Class A: Paper, wood, plastics (water/foam)
- Class B: Petrol, solvents (foam/CO2/powder)
- Class F: Large cooking oil fires (wet chemical)
- Electrical: Computers, machinery (CO2)
How to Use (PASS Method):
- Pull the pin
- Aim at the base of the fire
- Squeeze the handle
- Sweep from side to side
Essential Rules:
Always maintain an escape route, never turn your back on the fire, and if in doubt, evacuate.
Quick Decision Guide
Proper fire response training is the best way to ensure people know when, where, and how to respond to a fire. But it’s easy to forget the simple things or become confused when under pressure. Getting to grips with this quick decision guide enables you to react fast:
Use a fire blanket when:
- Small cooking oil/fat fire
- Fire is smaller than the blanket
- Someone’s clothing is on fire
- In the very early stages of a fire
Use a fire extinguisher when:
- Fire is larger than a waste paper bin
- Fire is spreading
- You need to maintain distance
- Specific fire class requires it
And always evacuate when:
- Fire is too large to tackle safely
- Smoke is filling the room
- You feel unsafe or uncertain
Remember:
Your life is always more important than property. If in doubt, get out, stay out, and call 999.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Fire Blankets
There are some common mistakes many people make when using fire blankets. Being aware of these ahead of an incident will help you remember the correct procedure. For example, sometimes people panic and throw a fire blanket onto the fire instead of placing it gently. If a fire is too big or too hot to get close to it, then it’s better to use a fire extinguisher rather than a fire blanket. If it’s small and manageable, then you should be able to get close enough to safely place a fire blanket over it.
Which brings us to another common mistake… using a fire blanket on a fire that’s larger than the blanket. A fire blanket cannot tackle a fire that it can’t completely cover.
Lifting a fire blanket too soon is also dangerous. The purpose of the fire blanket is to starve the fire of oxygen until it cannot continue to burn. If you lift the blanket prematurely, you risk reigniting the fire.
Fire Extinguishers
A really common mistake people make with fire extinguishers is assuming that water works on all fires. In fact, some fires are made worse by adding water to the mix, so you should always avoid using a water-containing fire extinguisher on electrical fires and on oil/chemical fires.
Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher on a fire, or even an expired one, is likely to create a larger, more out-of-control fire.
Another common mistake people make when using fire extinguishers is aiming the nozzle at the flames rather than the base of the fire. This can hamper the effectiveness of the fire extinguisher.
And lastly, some people try to extinguish fires that are too large to tackle with a fire extinguisher. If the fire is larger than the person fighting it or it has spread to approximately the size of a king-sized bed, it’s too big for a domestic fire extinguisher. This is when it’s time to evacuate and call the fire brigade.
UK Legal Requirements
It’s vital that you know your legal obligations and the legal requirements in the UK for how to protect people and property from fire.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires employers to: conduct fire risk assessments, provide appropriate firefighting equipment, ensure proper maintenance of equipment and provide adequate training.
Typical requirements for workplaces:
- Commercial kitchens: Fire blankets near cooking areas, wet chemical extinguishers
- Offices: Water/foam extinguishers, CO2 extinguishers near electrical equipment
- Retail/hospitality: Combination of extinguisher types, including fire blankets in kitchens
Maintenance:
- Monthly visual checks
- Annual professional servicing
- Five-yearly pressure testing (extinguishers)
- Regular blanket inspections
The Importance of Training
Having the right equipment means nothing if your team doesn’t know how to use it effectively. In an emergency, panic sets in quickly, and people make all kinds of mistakes. However, we know that regular training builds muscle memory and confidence, enabling people to act effectively and safely when it matters most.
Envesca’s Fire Safety Training covers everything your team needs to know and keeps you compliant with British safety standards and guidelines.
We provide:
- Fire Marshal/Warden courses
- Practical fire extinguisher training
- Understanding fire classes and equipment
- When to fight vs when to evacuate
- UK regulation compliance
- Tailored to your workplace hazards
Providing high-quality, standardised fire safety training can and does save lives and protect valuable property. It’s essential for all workplaces and public spaces.
Fire Safety: The Basic Facts
Fire blankets are ideal for small, contained fires, especially cooking oil fires. Whereas fire extinguishers are better for larger fires requiring distance. Having both, maintaining them properly, and training your team to use them confidently is the key to workplace fire safety.
Would you like Envesca to support you with high-quality fire safety training? You can find out more on our website or get in touch today.
The Ultimate Fire Safety Checklist
If you’ve got a question or query, please contact our super friendly team, they will be delighted to help you!
Simply get in touch via phone or email.
Free
Resources &
Downloads
Informative. Useful. Practical.
Here at Envesca we believe that we are good at giving proactive, sensible and useful advice. Below you will find some free resources that you can download on a host of subjects that will help you and your business.
Training Available
Envesca offer a number of different training courses, which offer advice and guidance on these topics.
Highfield Level 1 Award in Fire Safety
This half-day Level 1 Fire Safety Awareness course is ideal for all staff, particularly new starters, where a basic knowledge of fire safety is needed.Highfield Level 2 Award in Fire Safety
This one-day Level 2 Fire Safety (Fire Marshal) course will give you the skills, knowledge and confidence to manage fire safety in your workplace.
Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid Course
This one-day first aid course will provide you with the necessary knowledge and practical skills you need to administer emergency first aid in the workplace.Share this article with your social Community.
Other Articles You May Be Interested In
Food Safety, Food Safety Training
