Fire Blankets

Fire blankets smother small fires by cutting off their oxygen supply. Made from woven fibreglass, they are the fastest, safest response to a small cooking fire — particularly a burning pan or oil splash on a stovetop. Unlike a fire extinguisher, a fire blanket leaves no residue, takes no training to use, and can also be wrapped around a person if clothing catches fire. All blankets in our range are rated to AS/NZS 3504, the Australian standard for fire blankets in residential and commercial buildings. From $22.00.

Which Size Do You Need?

As a rule: the blanket must fully cover the burning surface with 20–30cm overlap on all sides. If you’re unsure, size up — a slightly too-large blanket works perfectly, a slightly too-small one does not.

How to Use a Fire Blanket

1. Turn off the heat source if it’s safe to do so.
2. Pull the blanket from its pouch by pulling the tabs downward — the blanket deploys quickly.
3. Hold the blanket in front of you with the top edge folded over your hands to protect them from the heat.
4. Lay it gently over the fire — do not drop or throw it, which can disturb the flames. Cover the entire burning surface.
5. Leave it in place for at least 15 minutes and do not lift it — the fire needs time to cool completely before oxygen can re-enter.
6. Do not reuse the blanket. Once deployed, replace it even if the fire appears to have been minor.

Fire Blanket vs Wet Chemical Extinguisher

For a kitchen, both a fire blanket and a wet chemical fire extinguisher are recommended — they handle different scenarios:

• Fire blanket: Best for a burning pan, stovetop flare-up, or oil splash that hasn’t spread. Quick, clean, no residue. Also useful if clothing catches fire.
• Wet chemical extinguisher: Required when the fire has spread beyond the pan, the oil is deep-fryer quantity, or the blanket cannot fully cover the burning surface. Wet chemical is the only agent rated for Class F (cooking oil) fires at scale.

In a commercial kitchen, a wet chemical extinguisher is a legal requirement under Australian Standards regardless of whether a fire blanket is also installed. See our wet chemical fire extinguishers or our kitchen fire extinguisher guide for more detail.

Where to Mount a Fire Blanket

Mount the fire blanket pouch on the wall near the kitchen exit — not directly beside the stove or cooktop. This is critical: in a fire, you must be able to reach the blanket without moving past the flames. The recommended mounting height is 1.0–1.5m above the floor so the blanket is accessible to all adults and easy to grab quickly.

Each blanket comes in a wall-mount pouch with two release tabs. The pouch mounts with two screws — no bracket hardware required.

Australian Standard: AS/NZS 3504

All fire blankets sold in Australia for fire protection purposes should meet AS/NZS 3504, which sets requirements for material construction, thermal performance, and minimum dimensions. Key requirements under this standard:

• Minimum size for kitchen use: 1m x 1m
• Material must withstand sustained heat exposure without burning through
• Blanket must achieve a pass rating on the cooking oil fire test specified in the standard
• Packaging must include instructions for use and replacement guidance

All blankets in our range are certified to AS/NZS 3504. Non-certified blankets sold as decorative or emergency use products do not meet this standard and should not be relied upon for fire suppression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size fire blanket do I need for my kitchen?

For a standard 4-burner home stovetop, a 1.2m x 1.2m fire blanket is the right choice. It covers the full cooking surface with enough overlap to smother the fire completely. If you have a larger range or commercial cooking equipment, step up to a 1.2m x 1.8m or 1.8m x 1.8m.

Can a fire blanket be used on a person?

Yes. A 1.2m x 1.8m or 1.8m x 1.8m fire blanket can be wrapped around a person if their clothing has caught fire. Wrap the blanket around the person from head to foot, cutting off oxygen to the flames. The affected person should then drop to the ground and roll.

Can a fire blanket be reused?

No. Once a fire blanket has been deployed — even on a small fire — it must be replaced. The fibreglass fibres can be compromised by heat exposure, reducing effectiveness. A used blanket may look intact but will not perform to AS/NZS 3504 standard on a second use.

Do I need a fire blanket if I already have a fire extinguisher?

They serve different purposes and are complementary. A fire blanket is faster and cleaner for a burning stovetop pan — no training required, no residue, no pressure discharge risk. A wet chemical extinguisher handles larger fires or fires that have spread beyond a single pan. For a kitchen, having both is the safest approach.

Where should I mount a fire blanket?

On the wall near the kitchen exit door, at a height of 1.0–1.5m above the floor. Do not mount it directly beside the stove — in an emergency you need a clear path to reach it without moving past the flames. The same placement rule applies to fire extinguishers: near the exit, not next to the hazard.