An electric vehicle fire is a different problem from a petrol fire, and the difference is why a fire blanket exists for it. When a lithium battery cell fails it enters thermal runaway: the cell generates its own heat and its own oxygen, propagates to the cells beside it, and will reignite after it appears to have been put out.
An EV fire blanket takes a different approach. Rather than trying to extinguish the pack, it goes over the whole vehicle to smother the flame and contain the heat while the battery burns itself out under control.
Why an extinguisher is not enough
What the blanket is for
- Containing a vehicle fire so it does not spread to the cars parked either side of it.
- Buying time for evacuation and for the fire brigade to arrive and set up.
- Reducing the smoke and burning material thrown out into an enclosed basement or a multi storey car park.
- Covering a damaged or thermally unstable vehicle after an incident, while it is moved or quarantined.
Where it should be held
Basement and multi storey car parks, particularly those with EV charging bays.
EV charging stations, whether public, workplace or fleet.
Vehicle workshops, tyre shops and body shops handling electric and hybrid vehicles.
Showrooms and vehicle storage compounds.
Bus, van and logistics depots running electrified fleets.
Using it safely
- It is a two person deployment. The blanket is drawn over the vehicle from the front or rear, not thrown across the side.
- It is heat resistant, not a substitute for distance. Approach only while the fire is still developing, and withdraw once it is covered.
- It does not end the incident. The fire brigade must still attend, and the vehicle must be treated as unstable until they release it.
- Training matters more here than with an extinguisher, because the deployment is unfamiliar. We run the session on site as part of supply.
Specification
| Application | Electric and hybrid vehicle fires |
|---|---|
| Function | Containment and smothering, not extinguishing |
| Deployment | Two person, drawn over the vehicle |
| Typical siting | Car parks, charging bays, workshops, showrooms |
| Reusability | Per manufacturer instruction; inspect after any deployment |
| Supplied with | Storage bag or case, and on site familiarisation |
EV Fire Blanket questions
Does a fire blanket put out an EV fire?
Not in the sense of ending it. The blanket smothers the visible flame and contains the fire, but the cells inside the battery pack continue to react until they have burned out.
That is the point of it. Containment stops the fire spreading to adjacent vehicles and structure, which is usually where the real loss comes from in a car park fire.
Why not just use a normal fire extinguisher?
A conventional extinguisher will knock the flame down, and then the pack will frequently reignite, because the extinguishing agent never reaches the cells in thermal runaway.
Extinguishers still have a role for the surrounding fire, the interior, or a charging cable. They are not a solution for the battery itself.
Is the blanket certified?
Blankets supplied for the Malaysian market are subject to testing and certification, and the documentation for the unit supplied is provided with delivery.
If you need the certification pack for an insurer, a landlord or a Bomba submission, ask when you order and we will include it.
How many should a car park hold?
It depends on the number of levels, the number of charging bays and how far a person would have to travel to fetch one. A single blanket at a security post in a large basement is not much use.
We survey the car park, propose siting and quantity against the charging bay layout, and mark it on your fire plan.
Can it be reused after a fire?
That depends on the product and on how severe the exposure was. Any blanket that has been deployed on a live fire must be inspected before it goes back into service.
We inspect after deployment and advise whether the unit can be returned to its case or has to be replaced.
Need a quantity or a delivery date?
Hello Trimy Fire Tech, I would like to enquire about EV Fire Blanket.