Out of date fire blanket.

[VicS]

Heard of someone whose fire blanket was criticized for being out of date in one of the RNLI inspections

Fire blankets go out of date ? What goes wrong with them? How often should they be replaced?

Only need replacing if used as far as I was aware.

 

[macd]

Seems absurd, but what do I know?

This from Cocoms.co.uk who conduct fire safety training courses:

"Fire blankets must be allowed to cool after use for at least half an hour. Other than this, they need no servicing or repairs, unlike a chemical fire extinguisher. They’re always ready to use, and don’t expire or go out of date."

 

[StanFolds]

My boat failed its safety test for the Broads because of an out of date fire Blanket. If I remember a 3 digit BSI number indicated a blanket made out of asbestos, the later 4 digit numbers are made from glass fibers.
Stan

 

[VicS]

An old blanket made of asbestos was the only thing I could think of.
I gather some modern ones can be wiped clean and reused while other have to be replaced after use. They should be marked to indicate which type

 

[MM5AHO]

I once heard a claim that the sea was past its use by date. An excuse for loosing the race!

 

[rivonia]

Hmm. My fire-blanket says 1997 after the kite mark. Now what I want to know is ...When does it expire and why does a fire blanket expire?

Peter

 

[Ubergeekian]

Hmm. My fire-blanket says 1997 after the kite mark. Now what I want to know is ...When does it expire and why does a fire blanket expire?

Perhaps the OP could very nicely ask the RNLI what the issue is with out-of-date fire blankets?

 

[VicS]

My fire-blanket says 1997 after the kite mark.

That's the date of the standard, BS EN 1869, to which the fireblanket conforms

 

[Twister_Ken]

If the out-of-date one does contain asbestos, get rid of it immediately and very carefully.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a19.pdf

 

[VicS]

If the out-of-date one does contain asbestos, get rid of it immediately and very carefully.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a19.pdf

Very useful link, Thanks

Do you have any idea how old a fireblanket would have to be to contain asbestos?

 

[JohnTH]

The fire brigade put on a demonstration for us at the Irish Boat Jumble last year. They have a trailer fitted with a chip pan on a gas ring. The pan goes on fire then they show the worst thing to do before putting the pan out properly.

Their fire blanket had been used so many times that it was heavily contaminated. They managed to put the pan out but not the blanket. A serious demonstration turned out to be so funny it was difficult to believe it had not been part of their act.

Of course they had all the proper gear on however, it convinced me that fire blankets are one shot devices !

73s de

Johnth

 

[Sandyman]

The only one's out of date are the PC idiots who come out with such rubbish.
Total nonsense.

 

[sarabande]

I need to get rid of several OODFBs (Out of date Fire Blankets) Will it be OK if I set fire to them next Nov 5th (I'm about 20 miles from the nearest sea, so the CG need not be worried too much.)

Or will my local Police station accept them ?

 

[VicS]

I need to get rid of several OODFBs

It sounds from JohnTH's post that the Irish Fire Brigade might be quite glad of them for demonstrations.

 

[Refueler]

Ok jokes aside .... I have seen more than one Fire Blanket that when pulled from its container fell to bits with age ... another with holes in ....

They do deteriorate with age ....

It's ok 'taking them out' carefully for unfolding to check - but if blanket is weak and liable to pull apart in emergency - you'd never know. But pull it out as you should in real use - then you'll find out !

Interested to know real condition of condemned one in OP ?

 

[vyv_cox]

I need to get rid of several OODFBs (Out of date Fire Blankets) Will it be OK if I set fire to them next Nov 5th (I'm about 20 miles from the nearest sea, so the CG need not be worried too much.)

Or will my local Police station accept them ?

Sorry, I must inform you that it is an offence to set off fire blankets in a non-emergency situation.

 

[VicS]

They do deteriorate with age ...

Reckon that might be part of the trouble, or the asbestos thing, Very old ones made of materials that did deteriorate. Wool??
Current websites indicate that those now on offer should not need replacing unless used.

Thought you were going to suggest getting a second hand one from a scrappie

 

[Twister_Ken]

Banning of asbestos.

Haven't been able to find out when asbestos stopped being used in fire blankets, but a leaflet from the asbestos advisory service says "The new use of asbestos was progressively banned from 1986 until it was finally banned completely in 2000."

So it's quite feasible that an older blanket would contain asbestos.

 

[photodog]

I need to get rid of several OODFBs (Out of date Fire Blankets) Will it be OK if I set fire to them next Nov 5th (I'm about 20 miles from the nearest sea, so the CG need not be worried too much.)

Or will my local Police station accept them ?

The police are no longer keen... the new H and S regulations mean that they need a special FBDO with the current certification to be able to take them in... and most forces have decided to no longer fund this as the home office consider it a Fire Department matter.

I think if you live inland then burning them on bonfire night is just fine... all those anal types who bang on about regulations and not upsetting the coastguard are being just silly.. Just ensure that the bonfire you choose to use is not a public display because if the blanket actually works as designed you may spoil the show.

 

[Cliveshep]

Heard of someone whose fire blanket was criticized for being out of date in one of the RNLI inspections

Fire blankets go out of date ? What goes wrong with them? How often should they be replaced?

Only need replacing if used as far as I was aware.

Crikey Vic, my entire BOAT is out of date! I'd better buy a new one!