Yes, the chain mail protects you from the experiment detonation products, such as fragments of blast shield or fume hood, lacerating your hands. Also recommended is an iron face-mask and heavy leather apron.
The candle effect you mention, is the principle behind Sir Humphry Day's safety lamp, as used by miners, which used a wire gauze screen to prevent flames igniting other flammable gases in the mine atmosphere. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davy_lamp for more information.
The candle effect you mention, is the principle behind Sir Humphry Day's safety lamp, as used by miners, which used a wire gauze screen to prevent flames igniting other flammable gases in the mine atmosphere. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davy_lamp for more information.