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IS 15381:2003 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for fire blanket. This standard specifies the requirements for materials, construction, performance, and dimensions of fire blankets. It covers blankets made from treated wool or fiberglass, designed for extinguishing small fires, especially those involving cooking oils and fats (Class F), and for wrapping persons whose clothes are alight.
BS EN 1869:2019BSI (British Standards Institution) / CEN (European Committee for Standardization), UK/Europe
HighCurrent
Fire blankets
Specifies requirements for fire blankets for extinguishing small fires, closely aligning with the IS code's scope.
AS/NZS 3504:2006Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand, Australia/New Zealand
HighCurrent
Fire blankets
Covers requirements for materials, construction, and performance of fire blankets for domestic and industrial use.
ASTM F1989-05 (2022)ASTM International, USA
MediumCurrent
Standard Specification for Cooking Fire Suppression Blankets
Focuses specifically on blankets for residential cooking fires, a subset of the broader IS 15381 scope.
Key Differences
≠IS 15381 does not specify a test for electrical resistance and warns against use on live equipment. In contrast, EN 1869:2019 includes a mandatory electrical conductivity test to qualify blankets for use on fires involving low-voltage apparatus (up to 1000 V).
≠The standardized fire test protocols differ. IS 15381 specifies a test using 2 litres of cooking oil in a square tray, whereas EN 1869:2019 uses 3 litres of sunflower oil in a specific round pan.
≠EN 1869:2019 provides detailed performance requirements for the blanket container, including single-action deployment. IS 15381 describes the container's construction but is less prescriptive about the deployment mechanism's performance metrics.
≠IS 15381 lists a set of standard sizes (e.g., 1.0m x 1.0m, 1.2m x 1.2m). While international standards also reference common sizes, they often focus more on performance classification which can apply to a wider range of dimensions.
Key Similarities
≈All standards mandate the primary material be a flexible, fire-resistant fabric, almost universally specified as coated or treated woven glass fibre.
≈The fundamental purpose is identical across standards: to provide a means for extinguishing small, contained fires (especially cooking oil fires) and for wrapping around a person whose clothing is on fire.
≈All standards require the blanket to be constructed from a single, seamless piece of fabric in its main body to ensure integrity, with requirements for securely stitched hems and withdrawal tapes/handles.
≈All standards require clear marking on the container, including instructions for use (often pictorial), the standard number, and manufacturer details.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Base Material
Woven glass fibre fabric with suitable treatment to prevent fraying and improve fire resistance.
Glass filament fabric with a coating.
BS EN 1869:2019
Minimum Mass per Unit Area
425 g/m²
430 g/m²
AS/NZS 3504:2006
Electrical Resistance Test
Not specified. Warns against use on live electrical apparatus.
Required. Must have resistance > 1 MΩ across the blanket to be certified for low voltage use.
BS EN 1869:2019
Cooking Oil Fire Test Fuel Volume
2 litres
3 litres
BS EN 1869:2019
Flexibility After Heating
Must remain flexible after being subjected to 400 °C for 2 hours.
The blanket material must be flexible after being heated in a furnace (test for blanket integrity).
AS/NZS 3504:2006
Standard Size (Example)
1.2 m x 1.8 m is a listed standard size.
1.8 m x 1.2 m is a listed standard size.
AS/NZS 3504:2006
Container Color
Not specified.
Visible surface of the container should be red.
BS EN 1869:2019
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values7
Quick Reference Values
Standard Size 11.2 m x 1.8 m
Standard Size 21.8 m x 1.8 m
Minimum Mass per Unit Area (Woollen)450 g/m²
Minimum Mass per Unit Area (Glass Fibre)440 g/m²
Minimum Effective Handle Length100 mm
Container ColourFire Red (Shade No. 536 of IS 5)
Lettering ColourWhite
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Standard Sizes and Tolerances for Fire Blankets
What are the standard sizes for fire blankets under IS 15381?+
The standard nominal sizes are 1.0x1.0m, 1.2x1.2m, 1.2x1.8m, and 1.8x1.8m (Table 1).
What material is specified for fire blankets?+
The standard specifies either a treated woollen fabric or a glass fibre fabric (Clause 4).
How should a fire blanket container be marked?+
The container must be 'Fire Red', marked with 'FIRE BLANKET' in white letters, include a pictogram, and have clear instructions for use (Clause 9).
What is the primary use of a fire blanket?+
It is intended for extinguishing small fires in their early stages, particularly fires involving fats and cooking oils, and for smothering flames on a person.