Guidance

Recognize what is a fire blanket, where to find them and how to use them.

Fire blankets are effective tools for smothering small fires or for protecting yourself while evacuating a burning area. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a fire blanket:

Understand the fire situation

Assess the fire and determine if it is safe to approach and use a fire blanket. Fire blankets are most suitable for small, contained fires, such as kitchen fires or clothing fires. If the fire is large, spreading rapidly, or if you are uncertain about your safety, evacuate the area immediately and call emergency services.

Retrieve the fire blanket

Locate the fire blanket in its designated storage location. Fire blankets are usually stored in a clearly marked and easily accessible location, such as a wall-mounted cabinet or case.

Protect yourself

Before approaching the fire, ensure your safety by taking the following precautions:

Put on appropriate personal protective equipment

If available, put on equipment such as heat-resistant gloves and goggles, to shield yourself from heat and potential splatters.
Turn off any nearby heat sources, if possible, to prevent the fire from growing or spreading further.

Unfurl the fire blanket

Carefully remove the fire blanket from its storage container.

Hold it by the corners or the handles, if equipped, and ensure you have a firm grip on it.

Cover the fire

Approach the fire cautiously but assertively. Hold the fire blanket in front of you, maintaining a safe distance, and gently place it over the fire.

Make sure the entire fire is covered by the blanket to cut off its oxygen supply.

Smother the fire

Press the blanket down firmly against the base of the fire to smother it.

Avoid making any sudden or aggressive movements that could fan the flames or cause the fire to spread.

Leave the blanket in place

Once the fire is extinguished, leave the fire blanket in position and avoid disturbing it until it cools down. This helps prevent re-ignition and keeps the area safe.

Call emergency services

Even if you have successfully extinguished the fire using the fire blanket, it is important to call emergency services to report the incident. They can ensure the fire is completely extinguished and assess any potential risks or damages.

After use, dispose or replace the fire blanket

After using a fire blanket, it may become damaged or contaminated. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper disposal or replacement. Some fire blankets are designed for single-use only and cannot be reused.

Remember, fire blankets are designed for small fires and personal protection.

If the fire grows beyond your ability to safely control or if you are unsure about using a fire blanket, evacuate immediately and let the professionals handle the situation.

Personal safety should always be the top priority in any fire scenario.

Guidance

There are a range of types of fire extinguishers depending on the source of the fire being fought. Learn to recognize and fight a fire with an extinguisher.

There are several types of fire extinguishers available, each designed to combat specific types of fires. The most common types of fire extinguishers include:

Water fire extinguishers

These extinguishers are filled with water (Class A) and are suitable for fires involving ordinary combustible materials like wood, paper, and cloth.

They are not effective for fires involving flammable liquids or electrical equipment.

Foam fire extinguishers

They are suitable for Class A fires (ordinary combustible materials) and Class B fires (flammable liquids like gasoline, oil, or grease).

Foam extinguishers contain an aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) or alcohol-resistant aqueous film-forming foam (AR-AFFF).

Foam extinguishers can smother the fire and cool the fuel surface, preventing reignition.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishers

They are primarily used for electrical fires (Class C) and fires involving flammable liquids (Class B).

CO2 extinguishers displace oxygen, removing it from the fire triangle and suffocating the fire.

CO2 extinguishers contain carbon dioxide in a pressurized form.

Dry chemical fire extinguishers 

Dry chemical extinguishers are filled with a dry chemical powder.

The powder smothers the fire and interferes with the chemical reactions occurring in the fire, extinguishing it.

These are used for Class A, B, and C fires.

Wet chemical fire extinguishers

Wet chemical extinguishers are specifically designed for commercial kitchens, which involve cooking oils, greases, and fats (Class K).

The extinguishing agent forms a soapy layer on the burning oil, preventing re-ignition.

Clean agent fire extinguishers

They are used primarily in areas where valuable or sensitive equipment is present, as they are safe for use on electrical fires (Class C) and flammable liquids (Class B) without leaving residue or causing damage.

Clean agent extinguishers contain non-conductive, gaseous agents like halon, halocarbon, or clean agent substitutes like HFC-227ea or FM-200.

It’s important to note that fire extinguishers may have different labeling systems depending on the country or region.

These labels indicate the specific types of fires the extinguisher is suitable for.

Additionally, it’s crucial to read and understand the instructions provided with the fire extinguisher and receive proper training on how to use them effectively and safely.

How to use in a fire

Using a fire extinguisher correctly during a fire can help suppress the flames and prevent the fire from spreading. Follow these general steps to use a fire extinguisher safely and effectively:

Assess the situation

Before attempting to use a fire extinguisher, evaluate the fire. Ensure that the fire is small, contained, and not spreading rapidly. If the fire is large, growing rapidly, or you are unsure about your ability to handle it, evacuate the area immediately and call emergency services.

Choose the appropriate fire extinguisher

Identify the correct type of fire extinguisher for the fire.

Check the label on the extinguisher to ensure it is suitable for the type of fire you are facing.

Using the wrong type of extinguisher can be ineffective or even dangerous.

Remember the PASS technique

The PASS technique is a simple acronym that helps guide the proper use of a fire extinguisher.

Maintain a safe distance

Stand at a safe distance from the fire, typically around 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters) away.

This distance ensures your safety and allows the extinguisher’s discharge to effectively reach the flames.

Be aware of limitations

Fire extinguishers have limitations. They are designed for small fires and can only provide a limited amount of extinguishing agent. If the fire continues to grow or if you run out of extinguishing agent, evacuate immediately and let the professionals handle the situation.

Call emergency services

Even if you believe you have successfully extinguished the fire, always call emergency services to report the incident. They can ensure the fire is fully extinguished and assess any potential risks or damages.

Remember, fire safety is paramount. If at any point you feel unsafe, if the fire grows too large, or if you are unsure about using a fire extinguisher, evacuate the area immediately and call emergency services.

Personal safety should always be the top priority in any fire situation.

Guidance

Fire alarms may or may not activate.

If you observe fire or smoke, alert others. In the event of a fire, look for emergency exit signs.

Assess whether the fire can be contained with fire extinguishers and hoses, which are part of building fire equipment.

Contact emergency services while you take action either fighting the fire or evacuating the building, depending on circumstances.

If you fight a fire, aim fire equipment contents at the base of the fire.

If the fire cannot be contained, evacuate.

Leave personal possession and equipment behind. If in a foreign location, take your passport if you can. People before property.

Locate the fire escape routes. These will be indicated by signage hanging from the ceiling or high on the walls.

Locate evacuation plans, near door entrance/exits. These will show direction of travel and where to assemble.

If required use the stairs, do not use the lifts.

Guidance

If you need to leave in a vehicle to escape a fire, leave early and consider the options when driving in / near a fire area.

Leave early before roads become blocked.

Do not assume because you can see the head of the fire, that it is the only point of the fire near you.

Embers such as leaves, bark, sticks which are alight, carry ahead of the fire and may create spot fires around your location or surround your location.

Leave at the earliest opportunity.

Advise and update contacts of your plans and progress.

In Core Lite, use the live sharing features. Live Now – share your live location for a time period, or Live to Destination, so contacts can see where you are headed.

Close air conditioning vents to prevent smoke and embers entering the vehicle.

Fire blocks your escape

Find an open area with limited amounts of grass or fuel in it.

Park your car facing towards the fire, close windows and air vents, leave the headlights on and turn the engine off.

Get as low as you can below the level of your windows and cover yourself with any cotton or wool fabric you may have.

Guidance

If you need to leave a building due to progress of a fire, prepare the vehicle.

Identify the trigger to leave i.e. the declaration of Total Fire Bans or the forecast high-risk forest fire weather for your area.

Prepare your vehicle with your emergency ‘go’ bag, first aid, fuel and protective equipment.

Ensure you have a full tank of fuel.

Ensure you have as much water as you can carry.

Pack fire extinguishers obtained from buildings that are not required, or are of more value with people in vehicles.

Pack fire or woolen blankets, which can be used to shield you from heat sources you may encounter.

Use N95/FFP2 face masks to slow the effects of smoke inhalation.

Guidance

If circumstances force people into the open, seek shelter as soon as possible.

Radiant heat from the fire may cause injury or death.

Head for a solid building or gain access to a vehicle as soon as possible.

Activate Help in Core Lite, so your live location is known to selected contacts.

Contact emergency services and share your live location. You can select yourself as a contact. In the SMS copy the link and send to an emergency services mobile number or email.

Avoid sloped terrain. A fire will burn faster uphill because the flames can preheat unburnt fuel in front of the fire, causing the fuel to burn more efficiently. The fire speed will double for every 10 degrees of angle lift.

Monitor emergency broadcasts. Telecommunications for cell phones may break down as infrastructure is destroyed.

Leave early before roads become blocked.

Advise and update contacts of your plans and progress.

Fire blocks your escape

Shelter as best as possible using large, solid objects between you and the fire.

Protect yourself from the radiant heat by lying beside a large tree log, against a riverbank or even a solid stone fence as the fire front passes.