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Posted By Robert.
Could I have some assistance please.
Our new laboratory which contains some low volume flammable chemicals and solvents (all stored and used correctly) have requested a fire blanket "as a precaution".
The lab is well served with fire precautionary equipment and the staff well trained in Lab safety and the hazards / risk relating to their work
I have asked what hazards are likely to be present and risks assessed that deem that particular requirement. Answer none, but they would feel safer if one was available, just in case.
My concern is that if there is a solvent based ignition and fumes present, a fire blanket could possibly make things alot worse insomuch that flammable vapours could be contained within the blanket and the person in or on it.
My gut feeling is that the lab staff should justify by local risk assessment whould ID the requirement or not and not just let them purchase "just in case".
Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
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Posted By Mitch
Robert,
would you give them an Aston Martin if it 'made them feel safer'? I do not see a fire blanket serving any purpose in the scenario you have described, indeed it could soak up said solvents and aid the spread of fire, I can just imagine some boffin dancing like a whirling dervish whilst brandishing a blazing fire blanket!
Mitch
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Posted By Ashley Wood
You are not looking at the wider use for a fire blanket. If someone was set alight a fire blanket is used for smothering the flames, if an item of equipment catches fire it can be extinguished with an extinguisher then the blanket used to remove the item from the lab to fresh air.
A fire blanket is not a sponge and is absorbent resistant. If I were assessing the risk I would say a blanket would be a good thing. Its your assessment, your choice.
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Posted By MP
I'm with Ashley - what's the problem
It's another tool.
MP
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Posted By Mitch
Tools can be misused, the people requesting this obviously have something specific in mind, this needs assessing and if required dealing with it could be a dangerous mind set. I, personally, would not want to tackle a solvent fire with a fire blanket! personally I would not attempt to fight any fire, and I have had training. Sorry about the earlier comment re soaking up put badly (it is Friday) my point is solvents fumes burn whether in a fire blanket or a silk blanket.
Mitch
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Posted By steve e ashton
I'm with Ashley.
This is one of th every few scenarios where I see a genuine need / use for fire blankets... And no Mitch, solvent fumes do NOT burn in a blanket (silk or fire) - the whole point of the blanket is to smother by excluding Oxygen.
As a student of chemistry many years ago I witnessed a solvent splash onto a lab coat that ignited. I remember also the lab technicians immediate response. It wasn't until much later that I realised a fire blanket would have been far, far better than the ineffectual bucket of water........
Steve
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Posted By Mitch
Sorry meant on not in! The ramifications on a single syllable.
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Posted By garyh
In my view you must do a formal fire risk assessment. (Absolute duty under Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005).
Look at the classes of fire likely (in this case Class B).
You then look at appropriate extinguishers - for Class B, Foam, Dry Powder, CO2.
[Fire blankets are for open containers with a Class B fire, or for if people are alight (what class is that????!!!!)]
Hence, provide sufficient and suitable RA and crucially, the old favourite "IITS". All done by a competent person. Nothing to it!
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