The current edition of NFPA 45 (2011) contains basically the same text as posted... It has been moved to A.6.6.3.2.

Free access to read only versions for all NFPA documents can be obtained by going to the NFPA website, www.nfpa.org. Then click on "Codes and Standards" in the navigation bar, then using the navigation table left side of the page click on "List of NFPA Codes and Standards", then you will directed to the listing. From there you can select the document that you wish to view, NFPA 45. You will then be directed to the "Document Page". At the bottom of the "Document Information" tab, you will see a link to "View the Document Online".

Then you will be directed to the registration page, complete the free registration, there will be a delay in access until your email address is verified. This can take up to 1 day, but you will have read only access to all of the NFPA documents. Read only access is not the easiest way to view the documents, but it is free.... and especially useful when you do not usually use a document frequently. For frequent use, a purchased hard copy, PDF, or subscription service will solve the problem. Fee for each varies.

Hope that this is helpful.

Ron

Ron Hopkins, CFEI, CFPS
Associate Professor (Retired)
Fire and Safety Engineering Technology
123 Redwood Drive
Richmond, KY 40475-8538
859-624-1136 Voice
859-623-6863 FAX
859-200-1515 Mobile
www.tracefireandsafety.com
________________________________________
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] on behalf of Jeffrey Lewin [jclewin**At_Symbol_Here**MTU.EDU]
Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 5:13 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Use of a fire blanket

I don't have access to official NFPA documents but several safety blogs and at least one (presumably unofficial) reprint of the of Appendix A from "NFPA 45 Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals, 2000 Edition"

states the following:

"A.4.6.3.2 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.

It should be emphasized that use of safety showers, fire
blankets, or fire extinguishers are of secondary importance.
These items 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."

Jeff Lewin
Departmental Laboratory Supervisor, CHO
Biological Sciences
Michigan Technological University
----- Original Message -----
From: "McGrath Edward J" 
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Sent: Friday, December 2, 2011 2:03:18 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Use of a fire blanket

Dear Dr. Mowery:

I‚m unable to find specific recommendations against using a fire blanket in this manner, but I know I‚ve heard others mention these dangers. My understanding of proper fire blanket use is 1) To cover a fire in the immediate area before it spreads (if possible) or 2) to wrap up a non-burning person who must evacuate through a danger area (danger of burns).

You may want to contact a manufacturer of fire blankets with this question. If the dangers you mention are real, they would know better than anyone to avoid liability of their product.

Edward J. McGrath

Science Supervisor

Red Clay Consolidated School District

1502 Spruce Avenue

Wilmington, DE 19805

(302) 552-3768

"Fortune favors the prepared mind." Louis Pasteur

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Barbara Mowery
Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 12:46 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Use of a fire blanket

Good afternoon,

I have received the following question from a colleague-your input would be much appreciated.
"Hi, I have been receiving emails regarding the dangers associated with using fire blankets and I'm concluding that we should probably not use them to wrap up someone who might be on fire in one of our labs....

Fire blankets are valuable in labs for a variety of purposes. One of those does not happen to be wrapping yourself in them to extinguish your clothing fire. In addition to trapping the heat, the fire blanket creates a chimney effect and directs the hot, toxic gases, and flames into your face, breathing zone and lungs.

Whether you go to the shower or not depends on your distance. For anything more than 2-3 steps, please stop, drop, and roll. Someone else can get the blanket and use it to help smother the flames. Then, cool off in the shower.

Blankets can also be used for (1) shower modesty curtains, (2) wraps for after the shower, (3) a temporary stretcher, (4)to keep someone warm to avoid shock, (5) a pillow if the victim needs to be on the floor, and (6) to smother other fires."

--
Barbara Mowery
General Chemistry Laboratory Coordinator
Physical Sciences Department
York College of Pennsylvania
441 Country Club Road
York PA 17403-3651
113 Campbell Hall 717-815-6480 Fax 717-849-1653 This information is intended solely for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. Any review, disclosure, copying, distribution or use of this e-mail communication by others is strictly prohibited.  If you are  not the intended recipient, please notify us immediately by returning  this message to the sender and delete all copies.

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