What are Fire blanket and what are they made of?

Fire safety is an essential part of every environment—from homes and offices to factories and laboratories. While fire extinguishers are the most recognized tools for handling emergencies, there is another equally important yet simpler device that often goes unnoticed: the fire blanket.

A fire blanket offers an immediate, mess-free, and highly effective way to control small fires before they spread. Whether used in a kitchen grease fire, an electrical short circuit, or a welding area, it provides rapid protection by cutting off the fire’s oxygen supply and insulating against heat. Compact, lightweight, and maintenance-free, fire blankets are a must-have addition to every fire safety kit, ensuring safety for both people and property.

What Is a Fire Blanket?

A fire blanket is a specially designed safety device used to extinguish small fires or to protect individuals from flames and heat. It works by cutting off the oxygen supply—one of the three elements of the fire triangle (fuel, heat, and oxygen)—thereby smothering the fire effectively. Unlike fire extinguishers, fire blankets require no maintenance, no refilling, and no complicated operation. They can be used quickly by anyone, even without professional training.

The working principle of a fire resistant blanket is simple yet effective:

• Smothering the fire – The blanket covers the fire completely, isolating it from oxygen.

• Insulating heat – Its high thermal resistance prevents heat transfer, protecting the user and nearby surfaces.

• Preventing re-ignition – Once the oxygen supply is cut off, the flame cannot restart.

This makes fire blankets ideal for kitchen grease fires, electrical fires, or clothing fires.

Types of Fire Blankets

Fire blankets come in different materials, sizes, and temperature ratings to meet various safety requirements. From household kitchens to heavy industrial environments, selecting the right fire resistant blanket ensures optimal performance and protection. Below are the main types and their specific characteristics:

What Are Fire Blankets Made Of?

Modern fire resistant blankets are crafted from advanced materials engineered to withstand extreme heat and direct flame exposure. Typically, they can resist temperatures ranging from 500°C to over 1000°C, depending on the type and intended application. Below are the main materials used in manufacturing today’s high-performance fire blankets.

1. Fiberglass Fabric

Fiberglass is the most commonly used material for household and commercial fire blankets. It is made from fine glass fibers woven into a flexible cloth that remains stable even under intense heat.

Key advantages:

• Exceptional heat resistance (up to 550°C)

• Non-flammable and non-conductive

• Lightweight, flexible, and easy to deploy

• Chemically inert and resistant to aging

Fiberglass fire blankets are ideal for kitchen fires, electrical fires, or small-scale emergencies where quick smothering of flames is required. They are also widely used in laboratories, schools, hospitals, and vehicles, providing a clean and effective way to extinguish flames without leaving chemical residues.

2. Wool with Fire Retardant Treatment

Wool fire blankets are made from natural wool fibers treated with special fire-retardant chemicals to enhance their flame resistance.

Advantages:

• Excellent insulating properties and moderate heat protection

• Soft texture—comfortable for wrapping around people during evacuation

• Biodegradable and environmentally friendly

However, wool blankets generally offer lower temperature resistance (typically up to 250–300°C) compared to fiberglass. They are more suitable for personal safety applications, such as smothering clothing fires or protecting individuals during escape, rather than for industrial or laboratory use.

3. Aramid Fiber (e.g., Kevlar®, Nomex®)

Aramid fibers, such as Kevlar and Nomex, are synthetic polymers renowned for their exceptional strength and heat resistance. They are used in industrial-grade fire resistant blankets and protective gear for firefighters, welders, and workers in high-risk environments.

Advantages:

• Withstand continuous exposure to temperatures up to 500–600°C

• Flame-retardant without chemical treatment

• High tensile strength—resistant to tearing and abrasion

• Long service life even under repeated exposure to heat and mechanical stress

Aramid fiber blankets are commonly used in factories, metal foundries, oil refineries, and welding workshops, where both thermal and mechanical protection are critical.

4. Ceramic Fiber Fabric

Ceramic fiber blankets represent the highest level of thermal protection among fire blanket materials. Made from alumina-silica ceramic fibers, they are engineered to withstand extreme temperatures exceeding 1000°C, making them suitable for heavy-duty industrial and furnace environments.

Key benefits:

• Outstanding resistance to direct flame and molten metal splash

• Low thermal conductivity and excellent insulation performance

• Stable under thermal shock and mechanical vibration

• Suitable for repeated high-temperature use

These blankets are often used in metal casting plants, power stations, kilns, and aerospace facilities, providing a protective barrier against radiant heat, molten metal, or high-energy sparks.

5. Combination and Specialized Layers

In advanced fire safety applications, some modern fire blankets combine multiple layers of different materials—such as fiberglass with an aluminum foil coating or aramid with ceramic fiber reinforcement—to enhance performance. These multi-layer designs improve reflectivity, durability, and temperature endurance, catering to firefighting, rescue operations, and high-risk industrial environments.

Fire Blanket FAQ

Q1: What is a fire blanket used for?

A fire blanket is used to extinguish small fires by smothering the flames and cutting off the oxygen supply. It can also be used to protect people from heat or flames during emergencies.

Q2: How does a fire blanket work?

Fire blankets work based on the principle of oxygen isolation. When placed over a fire, the blanket blocks the oxygen that fuels combustion. Its heat-resistant materials—such as fiberglass or aramid fiber—also help insulate heat and prevent re-ignition.

Q3: Where should a fire blanket be stored?

Fire blankets should be stored in easy-to-reach and visible areas, such as kitchens, workshops, laboratories, or near exits. They are typically kept in a wall-mounted pouch or quick-release case for immediate access during an emergency.

Q4: What are fire blankets made of?

Most modern fire blankets are made from fiberglass, aramid fiber (Kevlar/Nomex), or ceramic fiber. These materials can resist temperatures from 500°C up to over 1000°C, depending on the application.

Conclusion

In today’s world, where fire hazards can occur anywhere—from household kitchens to complex industrial settings—fire blankets play a vital role as a first line of defense. Their simplicity, reliability, and versatility make them an indispensable safety solution for homes, workplaces, vehicles, and public facilities alike.

For those seeking high-quality fire blankets that meet international safety standards, Nanjing Jiayi Fire Technology Co., Ltd. offers a full range of fire safety products designed for both residential and industrial protection. With advanced production technology, durable fire-resistant materials, and strict quality control, Jiayi ensures superior performance, durability, and safety in every product.

Choose Nanjing Jiayi Fire Technology Co., Ltd.—your trusted partner in fire prevention and protection solutions. Safeguard your space with professional-grade fire blankets built for real-world reliability.