Fire Blankets vs. Fire Extinguishers

Small fires, though not ideal in any situation, are at least manageable. Having the proper fire safety equipment on hand means having the chance to put the fire out before it becomes too difficult to handle.

There are two primary pieces of fire safety equipment that most individuals and businesses turn to. The first is the traditional fire extinguisher while the second is a fire blanket. But how do the two stack up against one another?

Pros of Fire Blankets

The best way to compare fire blankets to fire extinguishers is to look at the good and bad of each. One of the best things about fire blankets, whether for personal or business use, is that it can provide personal protection to minimize burns and potential injury. If a person can’t physically stop, drop, and roll, the fire-resistant material can help.

Fire blankets can also be used to completely contain early-stage fires. In kitchen and industrial settings, fire blankets can be used to smother and extinguish fires. The fire blanket cuts off the flow of oxygen, which essentially smothers the fire. They’re also quick and simple to use, requiring minimal training to properly implement.

Cons of Fire Blankets

It is a good idea to have a current fire blanket. Some of the older fire blankets might have asbestos in them, which can lead to potential risks like lung disease. Asbestos was common in fire blankets up until the late 1980s, so make sure that you have one that is current to ensure proper safety measures.

Another major downside of using a fire blanket is that it is a single use item. While it can be effective, you need to replace it after a single use. Fire extinguishers can be used several times if needed. Fire blankets are relatively affordable, so it’s not the biggest issue to replace them but it can be a hassle.

Pros of Fire Extinguishers

Compared to fire blankets, extinguishers are very effective. They are a tad tougher to use than a fire blanket, but they are effective at extinguishing fires roughly 95% of the time. Because of the spray feature, it is also possible to put out larger fires than would be possible when using a fire blanket.

Fire blankets have somewhat limited use, but fire extinguishers can be used for different threats and structures. Many of the retail fire extinguishers have a discharge time of roughly 9 seconds, though they go up depending on the type.

Smaller extinguishers are perfect for small spaces and can even be used at home or in the car. Larger ones should be used around areas with combustible materials, typically in a production or warehouse setting. Though they are not meant to be used on huge fires, fire extinguishers are better at containing small- to mid-sized fires that would otherwise be far too difficult for a fire blanket to handle.

Cons of Fire Extinguishers

Though they can be used multiple times, fire extinguishers have to be recharged. When it is used, it is essentially useless even if it hasn’t been totally discharged. Commercial grade fire extinguishers are able to be recharged and serviced often. That said, the cheaper options like those in retail stores must be replaced after a single use.

There is also the matter of clean up. Discharging a fire extinguisher can create quite the mess. Obviously, it is better than a fire, but it is still a task, nonetheless. It helps to have a guide for cleaning up a fire extinguisher after using it, though it doesn’t take the hassle out of the situation.