Image of fire blanket installation (Source: press release; same below)
When mobile batteries or other items emit smoke or catch fire inside a train, initial firefighting with a fire extinguisher will be supplemented by covering the affected item with a fire blanket and submerging it in water in a bucket. The aim is to prevent re-ignition through this treatment.
The number of items installed per trainset varies by train. For example, Tokaido Shinkansen trainsets consisting of 16 cars will have 32 fire blankets and four buckets, while Hokkaido Shinkansen trainsets consisting of 10 cars will have 18 fire blankets and three buckets. JR Hokkaido and JR East will use fire blankets measuring 100 cm by 100 cm, while the other three companies will use blankets measuring 80 cm by 80 cm. The buckets will have a capacity of eight liters.
Fire blanket to be installed
Buckets to be provided by all five companies
Fire blankets will be stored with fire extinguishers in the deck area of each car, while buckets will be kept in onboard storage spaces, such as the area where train crew work and storage compartments for onboard equipment.
