Standard Suppression Fire Blankets (AS/NZS 3504)

The Standard Suppression Fire Blanket is a critical first-response tool for Class F (cooking oil) fires and small Class A (solid) fires. Under the AS/NZS 3504:2006 standard, these blankets must be designed to withstand high-temperature kitchen environments where water-based extinguishers would cause a dangerous reaction.

Technical Construction & Materials

Unlike general fabrics, compliant blankets for Fireshift clients are constructed from:

  • Woven Fibreglass Fabric: A high-density glass-fibre weave that is non-combustible.
  • Fire-Retardant Coating: Many commercial-grade blankets include a silicone or polymer film to seal the weave, preventing oil from “wicking” through the fabric to the user’s hands.
  • Thermal Rating: Most AS/NZS 3504 compliant blankets are tested to withstand continuous temperatures of 550°C and can resist the extreme heat of burning vegetable oil, which typically ignites around 340°C.

Accurate Sizing (AS/NZS 3504 Compliance)

While the standard allows for various dimensions, the blanket must be large enough to fully cover the intended risk. Standard Australian industry sizes include:

  • 1.0m×1.0m: Minimum legal size; suitable for small residential hobs.
  • 1.2m×1.2m: The standard domestic kitchen size.
  • 1.8m×1.2m (Workshop & Clothing Standard): As you noted, this specific rectangular size is the industry standard for workshops. The 1.8m length is designed to cover the height of a standing adult, making it the primary choice for wrapping individuals during a clothing fire.
  • 1.8m×1.8m: Used in commercial kitchens for high-volume deep fryers and industrial vats.

Operational Mechanism: Oxygen Exclusion

A suppression blanket works purely on the principle of smothering. By creating a physical seal over the fire source, it prevents oxygen from reaching the fuel. Because the blanket is a poor conductor of heat, it also helps lower the temperature of the oil surface, though the heat source (the stove) must be turned off immediately for the blanket to be effective.