Introduction
We acknowledge the publication titled "Joint Notice Highlights Potential Risk with Electric Vehicle
Firefighting Tactic Involving Fire Blankets" issued by the Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF)
and the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) on May 30, 2025. The findings contribute to the critical
and evolving dialogue around EV (electric vehicle) firefighting tactics, an area where innovation must
proceed in parallel with evidence-based safety assessments.
However, it is essential to place these findings in the appropriate operational and technical context to
avoid misinterpretation or premature dismissal of fire blankets as a viable firefighting support tool
when used correctly by trained professionals.

Acknowledging the Findings:
The notice appropriately emphasizes two key risks:
1. Ongoing thermal runaway in EV batteries can continue after flame suppression.
2. Flammable gases released during thermal runaway can accumulate under fire blankets and
pose a delayed ignition or explosion risk.
These are real and important considerations, but they do not constitute a blanket contraindication
(no pun intended) to the use of fire blankets. Instead, they highlight the critical importance of training,
protocol, and situational awareness in EV fire incidents.

Clarifying the Role and Limits of Fire Blankets
EV fire blankets are not intended to stop battery thermal runaway or replace water-based suppression
systems. Their role is targeted and specific:
• Suppress open flames rapidly.
• Control radiant heat to protect nearby vehicles, property, and responders.
• Reduce formation of smokes and toxic gases - providing safer air quality for occupants and
firefighters.
• Create tactical time for firefighting personnel to assess, coordinate, and deploy additional
suppression measures.
• A fire blanket serves as a passive fire protection measure for batteries that are damaged or
undergoing thermal runaway. Such batteries pose a latent fire hazard, as ignition may occur
several hours or even days after the initial mechanical, electrical, or thermal stress event.

Fire blankets are a containment and control tool—not an extinguishment solution.

Rebutting the Risk of Explosion from Gas Accumulation
While the experimental findings are valid in controlled laboratory conditions, several key operational
points must be considered:
1. The same risks of gas accumulation exist in enclosed spaces, under vehicle hoods, or in
parking structures—this protentional risk is not unique to fire blanket. Rather, it highlights the
need for situational gas and pressure awareness, not avoidance of tools.
2. Trained personal – only trained responders can use the fire blanket; therefore, Padtex
Insulation provides guidelines and training for the safe use of blanket. Our goal is to learn the
tactical use of blanket and correctly assess the benefits, risks and limitation.

Support for Continued Research
We fully support and encourage the continued research by FPRF and FSRI. Their work is essential in
refining and validating best practices for emerging fire challenges. However, until conclusive data
confirms consistent explosion events across a wide range of real-world conditions, the
recommendation should not be able to discontinue use of fire blankets, but for adhering to safe
blanket use.

Conclusion
Padtex Insulation EV fire blankets are specifically engineered for the mitigation of hazards associated
with lithium-ion battery incidents, including thermal runaway and subsequent fire propagation. The
D-line blankets have been tested in accordance with DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11, which replicates
combustion scenarios representative of EV battery fires.
EV fire blankets, when deployed by trained personnel, remain a valuable tactical option for managing
specific risks associated with EV fires—especially in urban, confined, or high-exposure environments.
The recent joint notice highlights a specific risk, not a universal failure, and should prompt refinement,
not rejection, of the tactic.
We look forward to engaging constructively with the NFPA, FSRI, and other stakeholders to ensure that
the fire service community is empowered with both tools and knowledge to face the growing
challenge of EV fires safely and effectively.

Prepared by: Padtex Insulation SIA
June 05, 2025
Valmiera, Latvia