Blanket Maintenance 1: How long do thermal blankets last?
What is the lifespan of thermal insulation blankets? Will they last the engine's life or need replacing during service life? We're digging deeper into this burning question to clear up a few misconceptions.
The burning question: What is the lifespan of blankets?
We are often asked this question. Maintenance, wear and tear, and contamination affect how long blankets last. Blankets are a little like tyres; how long they last depends on how they're used and maintained. Insufficient maintenance (gaps, missing springs, hot spots), holes in blankets, walking on blankets, and pressure cleaning will shorten blanket life.
Here are three typical lifespan scenarios:
1. Short life: <10,000 hrs
Likely scenario, poorly maintained, damaged, ruined by flammable fluids or oils
2. Average life: 10,000 to 16,000 hrs
Typical scenario, maintained (excludes contamination, damage, and neglect)
3. Long life: 20,000 to 24,000 hrs
Rare scenario, well-maintained, free of damage and contamination
Here's a key variable – blanket sections will need replacing at different times. Remember that a complete lagging setup spans from turbo to muffler. Some sections may need to be replaced due to wear and tear, while others may need replacing due to flammable fluid spills.
Changing the question: How can blankets last longer? When should they be replaced?
Here's what we learned from the previous segment. Blankets get worn, damaged, and contaminated. Different sections of a blanket kit will need replacing at different service intervals. A little maintenance and condition monitoring can go a long way. No one blanket lifespan fits all.
How to make blankets last longer
The right knowledge, resources, and proactive maintenance will make lagging last. These are some key things your crew should know on the knowledge side:
Resources:
Proactive maintenance:
Our fleet audits can protect your assets from fire and educate your crews about best practices. Contact our team to learn if this option is available for your site.
When to replace old blankets
We recommend replacing blankets when they no longer serve their intended purpose. Abrasion, wear and tear, and age will degrade the ability of blankets to repel liquids. Blankets will get contaminated if hydraulic lines burst or fuel leaks. Degreasers and pressure cleaning may cause damage to contaminated blankets, so it's safest to replace them.
Blankets soaked in oil pose a fire risk!
It's time to replace blankets when they've done their job. Whenever lagging is covered in oil, diesel or coolant, it is next to impossible to remove all traces of contaminants. If a fluid line bursts and everything is soaked – blankets have done their job and may have saved the machine by preventing a fire. It's time to replace them and regain maximum fire protection. Too often, we see sites ignore this change-out, resulting in an ignition point.
The big takeaways
To increase blanket mileage, inspect regularly, fix fitting issues, don't walk on them, avoid pressure washing, and replace worn sections as needed. Replace blankets if they're contaminated (e.g. soaked in oil), excessively worn, don't fit, or damaged by fire.
In our Blankets Installation & User Guide, we provide best practices and detailed service checklists to maximise the protection of your fleet.
Your Next Steps
We've compiled a list of resources and game-changers to simplify your job.
Quick wins:
Gamechangers:
Equipping your maintenance crews with the right tools and training is the best way to ensure your fleet and personnel stay safe.