Clothing on fire

[Tom Sutton]

If you distributed fire blankets to stewards at candlelit carol services at a church, with the intention that they would be available so that stewards could wrap a blanket around someone if they managed to knock over candles and set their clothing on fire. It appears insurers have recommended that fire blankets should be available at candlelit services for this purpose.

However, I've noticed the following warning printed on the packaging of the 1m X 1m fire blankets that I've seen: "WARNING! This fire blanket is not an adequate size for adult clothing fires."

What size I should be used and if fire blankets are used for this purpose, what training must be undertaken to consider the stewards adequately trained.

Any views.

[TFEM]

We've always put in/recommended fire blankets anywhere that naked flames are possible including churches. We don't use anything smaller than 1.2mtr x 1.2mtr (4X4 in old money).
Training starts with getting the blanket wall mounted.....some models are almost impossible to get open unless they are firmly fixed (clam shell type). Pull down on the tabs and let the blanket unfold. Wrap the person and lay them on the floor. Don't roll them.
John

[jayjay]

1.2 X 1.2 is the normal domestic size, in a commercial kitchen I think the larger size is 1.8 x 1.8 not much difference in price but I would have thought any size would be better than nothing.

[kurnal]

Then as soon as the flames are doused remove the blanket and clothing and  apply copious  volumes of water to cool the burns and maintain the application for at least 20 minutes or until the ambulance arrives.

The trouble with 1.8m sq blankets is that they are fine for clothing on fire but gravity tends to pull them off if used on a small surface such as a cooker or worktop as so much of the blanket overhangs the worktop.

I shall start wearing my fire blanket when I go to Church to keep myself safe. Once again I shall be a trend setter.

[SamFIRT]

A more appropriate response should be ....stop.... drop and... roll ...then cool the burns for 20 mins. Whilst someone is looking for a fire blanket the person alight is running round burning.

[Phoenix]

I agree with Sam.  The response to clothing on fire has to be instant.  There is no time to go off looking for a fire blanket.  I have never liked the depiction of fire blankets being used on clothing fires that can be found on many fire blanket containers.  On the other hand, it's ok if everyone carries a fire blanket around with them - or wears it as kurnal has undertaken to do!

[William 29]

Bah humbug!  Just ban the candles!    I was once in a church years ago where a candle at the end of a row of seats set fire to a women’s hair.  The next year they used artificial ones.

[jokar]

Steps too far people, steps too far!  Next thing is too recommend that people who go to church only wear kevlar suits if there are lit candles.

[nearlythere]

Steps too far people, steps too far!  Next thing is too recommend that people who go to church only wear kevlar suits if there are lit candles.

Don't be so OTT you. Only those sitting next to candles show wear Kevlar.

[AnthonyB]

Of course it depends on how much of the person is on fire, in some cases a 1m x 1m may suffice, whereas a clothing fire like the poor chap leaving the stand ablaze at Bradford would need a 1.2m x 1.8m minimum.

A BSEN 1869 fire blanket isn't designed for cooking oil fires beyond 300mm diameter so anything above 1.2m x 1.2m isn't much use.

The only time a bigger blanket for clothing may be of use is it is immediately available in places like labs or welding shops.

In the good old days, a few aerosol BCF's would have done the job for clothing, it's served the police & military well.

As Kurnal points out with clothing the aftercare is as important - whilst the fire is out the clothes and flesh are still hot and damage continues. In lieu of water a WaterJel/Burnshield Fire Blanket deals with both the fire and burns

[John Webb]

Interestingly my own local church, following a major refurbishment in 2010 in which the wood pews were replaced by rather comfortable linked upholstered seats and most of the floor carpeted, decided to abolish hand-held candles for the protection of the said chairs and carpet rather than for personal protection! Instead we use candles in all the window alcoves which were levelled off as part of the refurbishment. Made the revision of our FRA following the refurbishment a bit easier. 

[Tom Sutton]

Thanks guys for your responses, and assuming artificial candle light is not acceptable think the starting point should be, stop, wrap, drop and roll, then cool the burns for 20 mins.

It appears the insurers have recommended that fire blankets should be available for this purpose but no details provided. Because you cannot predict the extent of the fire the larger the better and 1.8 m X 1.2 m seems to be the best choice.

But as Anthony mention BCF proved useful in the past could there not be an alternative 9l water spray, 6lt dry mist water which would not only extinguisher the fire it would cool as well.

[Clevelandfire 3]

Id ask the insurers why they feel fire blankets are suitable. I can just about accept theyd be ok if stewards carried them. Careful with water on candles though not always a good mix.

[AnthonyB]

Jewel Saffire's 1L & 3L water mists would be very suitable, failing that AFFF.

How many candle processions have had people burst into flames in recent years to warrant all this expenditure?

[SamFIRT]

I think this is a case where administration is getting in the way of safety.

I don't believe you need fire blankets. What you need is a good water supply and a good first aid kit, with trained first aiders, to treat the burns of people; who may on the remote chance their clothing catches fire have to STOP DROP and ROLL.

Its not a dance by the way.