How Often Should You Replace Fire Blankets in Commercial Kitchens?

How Long Do Fire Blankets Last?

Commercial kitchens present a higher fire risk than many workplace environments. Open flames, hot cooking oils, high temperatures and busy service periods create conditions where fires can escalate quickly if not managed effectively.

Following a suitable fire risk assessment, fire blankets are often recommended alongside other fire safety equipment to help suppress cooking and clothing fires and limit fire spread. Like all fire safety equipment, fire blankets have a recommended service life. Following the manufacturer’s guidance for replacement, alongside regular servicing and inspection, helps ensure they remain suitable for use when needed.

Fire Blankets and Fire Risk Assessments

Fire blankets can form part of a wider fire safety strategy for many commercial cooking environments. Designed to suppress cooking and clothing fires by cutting off the fire’s oxygen supply, they help prevent flames from spreading and reduce the impact of a fire when used correctly.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person has a legal duty to ensure that a suitable fire risk assessment is completed and that its findings are implemented.

Where a fire blanket is recommended, it should be correctly installed, easily accessible, and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance.

How Long Do Fire Blankets Last?

Most fire blankets have a recommended lifespan of five to ten years, although this varies depending on the manufacturer. The lifespan of your fire blanket should always be confirmed using the manufacturer’s guidance provided at the time of installation.

Even if a fire blanket has never been deployed, heat, grease, humidity and the demands of a commercial kitchen can gradually affect its condition. Following the manufacturer’s replacement guidance helps ensure the blanket performs as intended in an emergency.Signs Your Fire Blanket Needs Replacing

A fire blanket should be replaced before the end of its recommended lifespan if it:

• Has been deployed during a fire
• Shows signs of damage or deterioration
• Has a damaged or missing protective housing
• Is identified during servicing as no longer suitable for use

Swift replacement helps maintain the effectiveness of your fire safety measures and supports the recommendations of your fire risk assessment.

Do Fire Blankets Need Servicing?

Yes. Fire blankets should be serviced annually by a competent person. During the inspection, they will check:

• The condition of the blanket
• The condition of the protective housing
• That the blanket can be deployed safely
• That it has not been tampered with

Fire blankets should also be visually checked regularly as part of routine fire safety management. If any defects are identified, the blanket should be removed from use and replaced immediately.

Routine servicing and prompt replacement help maintain compliance while ensuring your fire safety equipment is ready when it is needed most.

Supporting Commercial Kitchen Fire Safety

Fire blankets play an important role in protecting professional kitchens, helping to suppress cooking and clothing fires as part of a wider fire safety strategy.

Available in four sizes, Commander Fire Blankets provide a practical solution for a wide range of commercial kitchen environments.