I had understood that fire blankets have long been considered to be inappropriate equipment for academic, laboratory or industrial applications. One reason I encountered was the consideration that wrapping a person with clothing on fire in a fire blanket could create a chimney effect, increasing the burn impact to face (and respiratory system). Drop and roll, or get to the nearby emergency shower, were, I was told, better alternatives.

Searching the web, I see that fire blankets seem to have substantial use in the EU and other places, but primarily for suppression of cooking fires. In that case, there are BSI, ASTM, and other standards. Some of the fire blankets are suitable for re-use after recertification, but many are designed for one use and disposal.

Peter Zavon, CIH
Penfield, NY

PZAVON**At_Symbol_Here**Rochester.rr.com

Hello list,

We are looking to re-certify the fire blankets in our facility.  Does anyone have experience with this process and can recommend a vendor that performs this function?  Also how is the maintenance of fire blankets handled at your facility? Does the responsibility for this lie with the department, facility or health and safety organization?

Thanks

Keane

“When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become.” =AF Henri J.M. Nouwen

Keane Leitch

Safety Manager

Physical Sciences Facilities Management

121 baker Lab

Ithaca, NY 14850

607-255-8773 (Office)

607-255-4137 (Fax)

607-592-7079 (Mobile)

Keane.Leitch**At_Symbol_Here**cornell.edu/ kjl44**At_Symbol_Here**cornell.edu