FIRE BLANKET

[sandalwood]

What is the best fire blanket for a van conversion , how big are they, and where are they kept? We have fire extinguisher but have been told fire blanket better. Any help is appreciated. Does one also have to have extinguisher if one has blanket.

 

Thanks all

 

Ian

[malc d]

sandalwood - 2019-10-02 9:46 PM

 

What is the best fire blanket for a van conversion , how big are they, and where are they kept? We have fire extinguisher but have been told fire blanket better. Any help is appreciated. Does one also have to have extinguisher if one has blanket.

 

Thanks all

 

Ian

 

 

I should think that what you use on a fire depends on what kind of fire it is - and where it is.

 

So we carry both.

 

The blanket is normally folded up in a box - which should be mounted high up enough to pull it out quickly from the base. I don't know how big they are because fortunately I haven't had to use it.

 

No doubt adverts on Google will tell you the sizes.

 

:-|

 

edit :

 

A quick look at Google indicates they are about a metre square - and also come in ' soft packets '

[Derek Uzzell]

Advice on fire safety can be read here

 

https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/advice-and-training/advice-for-beginners/fires/

 

https://www.practicalmotorhome.com/advice/47223-fire-safety-on-tour

 

and this March 2019 MHFun discussion should be of interest

 

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/fire-extinguisher-fire-blanket.193046/

 

There’s advice on fire blankets on this website

 

https://www.fireprotectiononline.co.uk/info/is-your-fire-blanket-up-to-standard/

 

that advertises blankets in several sizes and prices.

 

https://www.fireprotectiononline.co.uk/fire-blankets/?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=JAN16blanketstandard

 

As far as I’m aware there is no UK legal requirement that ‘anti-fire’ equipment be carried in a motorhome.

 

https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Fire-Extinguisher-/38805/

 

My Rapido has two fire extinguishers - a pathetic 1kg dry-powder type that came with the motohome and is mounted inaccessibly and a retro-fitted much larger capacity ‘water mist’ type that is easily reachable. I have added a fire-blanket near to the gas hob, and there’s a "Fire Angel” smoke alarm that’s now in a sensible position!

 

It needs emphasising that whatever emergency ‘kit’ there is in a motorhome, its value is going to be limited if the motorhome’s occupants don’t know what its purpose is, where it is or how to use it.

 

 

[Fifo]

We have both. Our van fire blanket is in a soft rubbery cover and hangs close to the stove, which is where we think it is most likely to be used on pan fires. Our home fire blanket, in a hard polythene box case, is about a metre square and I guess this is standard.

 

Our home one was used on a burning tea towel flare up and was very effective and made much less mess than a fire extinguisher would have done. We had to buy a complete new blanket afterwards however - but better than a new kitchen, / van. Easy to use too, it pulled easily out of the cover and put out the fire completely and quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

[Mark Wilkes]

We have a fire extinguisher at the front of our van near the kitchen and a fire blanket at the rear of the van so both are easily accessible. I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

[peterjl]

We have a fire blanket that’s been used in anger when our gas bbq went up in flames about 6 feet from the van. My wife was able to grab it quickly and pass it out. The learn was to keep ifire blanket accessible and keep bbq well away from the Moho. Blankets need to be accessible if there is a fire around the cooker in the van.

 

I am a little ambivalent about fire extinguishers in general and water in particular in case it’s near mains electric, not a lot of space to avoid electric in a Moho. Not sure if a mist type could give you a shock but would not wish to risk. Powder ones are just messy and used inside a van would cause huge damage.

 

For me if it’s a fire in the van it’s all about getting out safely and let insurance take care of the result..So have an escape plan and test it works. In my PVC the key is could we get across the bed and open the back door with the mattress and bedding in place. Answer = yes.

 

Peter

[Brock]

We bought two 1.2m x 1.8m Ultra fire blankets, with handles sewn in, from Safelinc who gave us advice on what to buy. These blankets are said to be suitable for larger sized or commercial kitchen areas, workshops and clothing fires (they wrap a round a burning body) and we hope, provide a barrier between a person and the fire sufficient for them to escape with minimal burns.

 

https://www.safelincs.co.uk/

 

We have an A-class with no rear exit so we keep one blanket at the rear. The other one is kept by the exit door which is next to the hob at the front. Each are located at an easy reach height. We have a fire extinguisher but doubt we will use that in the event of a fire.

 

Fire blankets can smother a fire which is why they are often kept in kitchen areas.

 

If I had a PVC with rear opening doors, I would consider buying a fire blanket large enough to smother a hob fire - but I'm no expert.

[Derek Uzzell]

Water mist fire extinguishers are described here:

 

https://www.safelincs.co.uk/ultrafire-water-mist-fire-extinguishers/?fga=true&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItvXb8ef_5AIVlIjVCh1qVwUZEAAYASAAEgLcLPD_BwE

 

They are claimed to be safe when used to extinguish electrical fires.

 

 

[stevec176]

You need both but if you cant reach them in an emergency or don't know how to use them then there's no point in having them. If you need to use the blanket then it needs to be left in place for about an hour or the fire can reignite. And if you use the wrong type of extinguisher, such as water on oil, you'll make the problem worse. Don't put the blanket too close to the hob because if you have a pan fire do you really want to reach over the fire to get it, mine is by the entrance door so can easily be reached. 

Again, if you have fire fighting equipment know how to use it but the main thing is is to get everyone out first and preferably don't go back inside.

[Billggski]

I have a similar set up to these, fire blanket on the door next to the hob, extinguisher within reach, but I cannot emphasise enough to read the instructions. I was once passed an extinguisher by an onlooker and had to read the label before I could tackle the fire!

I have a similar set up at home.