Bridgehill car fire blanket for conventional and electric vehicles

All car fires are dangerous and toxic. Motor vehicles are made from synthetic materials that emit harmful gases when they burn, including carcinogenic PHAs. Run-off water also becomes contaminated by metals such as lead, copper and zinc, which is exacerbated by conventional firefighting methods using water and foam.

In addition, flames of 800 ℃ can shoot out at a distance of three metres or more, creating a dangerous situation.

Bridgehill deliver a 6x8-metre fire blanket that can withstand temperatures of 1000 ℃ for 48 hours. The blanket is pulled over the burning vehicle by two people so the fire can be contained and eventually extinguished. 

The blanket comes in two versions. The professional version is a multiple-use blanket for fire departments and similar organisations. The standard version is a single-use blanket for locations with a high concentration of cars, such as parking garages, car ferries and car repair shops.

The car fire blanket keeps smoke, toxic fumes and flames underneath the blanket, preventing toxins from escaping into the environment. In many cases, firefighters can avoid using water, which leads to hazardous substances seeping into the groundwater.

The fire blanket is highly effective for both ICE vehicles and EVs. Firefighters can gain control of the situation quickly and extinguish an ICE vehicle fire in just 10–15 seconds, reducing the risk of the fire spreading to other vehicles.

For electric vehicle fires, the blanket covers and contains the fire until runs its course over 24 to 48 hours, or until firefighters can flood the car with water. Since lithium-ion batteries do not respond to traditional fire extinguishers, the car fire blanket is the only proven method of dealing effectively with EV fires without water.

Globally, there is a fire department for every 20 000 inhabitants. In Europe alone, government expenditures on fire protection services amounts to roughly USD 35 billion. If each fire truck had one car fire blanket, the volume would be significant.

Bridgehill car fire blankets are delivered around the world, although the company’s main focus is Europe and North America. Seventy per cent of Norwegian fire departments and over 100 German fire departments are currently using the blankets.