Welding Blankets and Fire Blankets

What is a welding blanket?

A blanket for welding is used to protect areas from the hot spatter that results from arc welding. Arc welding processes such as MIG (metal inert gas), also known as GMAW (gas metal arc welding), and MMA (manual metal arc welding, also known as SMAW (shielded metal arc welding), are known for their spatter production.

As both processes can create globs of molten metal a fire retardant welding blanket should be used to protect sensitive areas in the immediate surroundings of the hot works that are being carried out.

These blankets can be made from various materials. These materials include fibre glass and silicate fibres.

Fire retardant blankets can be purchased in a wide variety of sizes. Our most commonly purchased sizes include 1M x 1M, 2M x 1M, 2M x 2M & 3M x 1M as these covers most welding applications.

In addition to this customers can purchase rolls of welding blanket material. Typically, these are supplied in 50M lengths with an overall width of 1M. Therefore allowing the user to create a welding blanket to suit their requirements.

Standards for welding blankets

According to The Welding Institute, the question: "What standard should welding blankets adhere to?", is one of their frequently asked questions.

Their answer, found in the extremely interesting article which can be found here. States:

"ANSI/FM 4950: 2007

Evaluating welding pads, welding blankets and welding curtains for hot work operations

Performance requirements for welding blankets, welding pads, and welding curtains used as a means of preventing the ignition of combustibles during welding, cutting, and other hot works operations are specified."