Compared to professional methods, fire control blankets are rarely used by firefighters for EV fires, not because they are ineffective, but due to the unique challenges of battery fires.
Why Fire Blankets Aren't Common
EV fires are driven by battery thermal runaway, which involves continuous internal heating, high re-ignition risk, toxic gas release, and chain reactions within the battery pack. Fire blankets are useful as auxiliary tools in specific scenarios, such as early-stage fires or for isolating risks in enclosed spaces like garages. However, in open or developed fires, deployment is often impractical, and blankets alone cannot stop internal battery reactions.
Professional Firefighting Protocol
The core strategy focuses on the battery pack:
Isolation & Safety: Establish a wide perimeter. Firefighters wear full protective gear, including a breathing apparatus.
Sustained Cooling: Apply large volumes of water directly to the battery compartment for an extended period—often hours—to dissipate heat.
Continuous Monitoring: Use thermal imaging cameras to monitor battery temperature and gas detectors for toxic fumes until the risk is fully mitigated.
Safe Handling: Relocate the vehicle using specialized equipment to a safe area for further observation or disposal.
Rational Use of Fire Blankets
Blankets are best suited for:
It contains very early-stage fires.
Isolating adjacent property in confined spaces.
Covering a vehicle post-extinguishment to shield against potential re-ignition.
The Big Picture: Combined Tactics
Firefighters use combined tactics based on the scene. While cooling is always central, blankets may be added if useful. Technology is evolving with new battery-specific extinguishing agents and training simulations.
In short, the low use of fire blankets reflects a professional, risk-based approach that prioritizes proven methods, such as sustained cooling, to tackle the root cause of battery fires. They remain a valuable tool in the right context..
The Suntex car fire blanket is a safety device specifically designed to handle fires that may happen in vehicles. It is a sheet made of non-flammable materials like fire-resistant fabric or fiberglass.
If a fire occurs, the blanket is used to cover the flames entirely, which helps to suffocate them by depriving them of oxygen and effectively putting out the fire. Car fire blankets are compact, easy to store, and can be readily accessed during emergencies.
Suntex offers two models of car fire blankets: the Standard model and the Pro model.