Vehicle fires are always a challenge, whether they involve conventional or modern electric vehicles. During a practical extinguishing test in Rhineland-Palatinate, it once again became clear how differently fires can progress - and how valuable insights can be gained from unexpected situations. What at first glance appeared to be a failed extinguishing attempt actually taught important lessons for the use of fire blankets.
Table of contents
The extinguishing attempt: What had happened?
During the exercise, a conventionally powered vehicle was set on fire and the VLITEX fire blanket covered. After 30 minutes, the thermal imaging camera showed temperatures of over 400 °C in some areas, while only 150 to 200 °C were measured in others. Despite the high values in some areas, the fire department decided to remove the ceiling. As a result, the flames flared up again and large quantities of water and foam were needed to finally extinguish the fire after more than two hours.
Important findings from the exercise
- Temperatures under the ceiling are unevenly distributed:
While the fire blanket protects the surroundings from heat and flames, hot spots can still exist inside, which can reignite flames if the timing is wrong. - Patience is crucial:
Even with modern Fire blankets it is important to allow sufficient time before removing them. Oxygen removal under the ceiling requires a longer exposure time, especially for vehicles with complicated fuels such as magnesium or leaking fuel. - Special cases require additional measures:
In some cases, the use of water or foam above the ceiling can help to further reduce the temperatures under the ceiling and smother the fire completely.
Practical example: Fire in a historic vehicle
An incident on the A7 in northern Germany confirms these findings. A historic Porsche burned for hours despite large quantities of extinguishing water and foam. The fire was only brought under control by the Flensburg professional fire department using Fire blanket . The vehicle was towed away two hours later. This case shows that even older vehicles with flammable components such as magnesium can pose considerable challenges.
The next attempt: improved results
In another extinguishing attempt with a similar vehicle, the temperatures were brought under control within 20 to 30 minutes. This time, the fire remained completely extinguished after the ceiling was removed. A third exercise, in which water was used to cool the ceiling, also succeeded in drastically reducing the temperature.
Lessons for the use of fire blankets
- Resource-saving and effective:
fire blankets offer an efficient alternative to conventional extinguishing methods, as they protect the surrounding area from heat, flames and smoke. - Time is an important factor:
Patience and precise timing are crucial in order to utilize the full effectiveness of the blankets and prevent flare-ups. - Flexibility in use:
Depending on the type of fire, additional measures such as cooling the ceiling with water may be necessary to achieve the desired results.
fire blankets are an indispensable tool for modern firefighting. The continuous implementation of extinguishing tests enables the effectiveness of this method to be further improved and operational experience to be gathered.
