Dear Dr. Mowery:
I=92m unable to find specific recommendations against using a fire blanket in this manner, but I know I=92ve heard others mention these dangers. My understanding of proper fire blanket use is 1) To cover a fire in the immediate area before it spreads (if possible) or 2) to wrap up a non-burning person who must evacuate through a danger area (danger of burns).
You may want to contact a manufacturer of fire blankets with this question. If the dangers you mention are real, they would know better than anyone to avoid liability of their product.
Edward J. McGrath
Science Supervisor
Red Clay Consolidated School District
1502 Spruce Avenue
Wilmington, DE 19805
(302) 552-3768
"Fortune favors the prepared mind." Louis Pasteur
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU]
On Behalf Of Barbara Mowery
Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 12:46 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Use of a fire blanket
Good afternoon,
I have received the following question from a colleague-your input wouldbe much appreciated.
"Hi, I have been receiving emails regarding thedangers associated with using fire blankets and I'm concluding that we should probably not use them to wrap up someone who might be on fire in one ofour labs....
Fire blankets are valuable in labs for a variety of purposes. One of those does not happen to be wrapping yourself in them to extinguish your clothing fire. In addition totrapping the heat, the fire blanket creates a chimney effect and directs the
hot, toxic gases, and flames into your face, breathing zone and lungs.
Whether you go to the shower or not depends on your distance. For anything more than 2-3 steps, please stop, drop, and roll. Someone else can get the blanket and use it to help smother the flames. Then, cool off in the shower.
Blankets can also be used for (1) shower modesty curtains, (2) wraps forafter the shower, (3) a temporary stretcher, (4)to keep someone warmto avoid shock, (5) a pillow if the victim needs to be on the floor, and (6) to smother other fires."
--
Barbara Mowery
General Chemistry Laboratory Coordinator
Physical Sciences Department
York College of Pennsylvania
441 Country Club Road
York PA 17403-3651
113 Campbell Hall 717-815-6480 Fax
717-849-1653
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