What is in fire fighting foam?
FOAM: A fire fighting foam is simply a stable mass of small air-filled bubbles, which have a lower density than oil, gasoline or water. Foam is made up of three ingredients – water, foam concentrate and air. While foams with longer drain times are normally less mobile, they move across the fuel surface slowly.
Why do firefighters use foam?
Firefighters use aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) to help extinguish difficult-to-fight fires, particularly fires that involve petroleum or other flammable liquids ‚ known as Class B fires.
What is a foam extinguisher?
What is a foam fire extinguisher used for. AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foams) Foam Fire Extinguishers are suitable to fight burning solids such as wood as well as liquid fires such as burning petrol. The foam has the ability to creep over the burning liquid or to soak into burning materials such as settees.
Is fire Fighting foam hazardous?
Firefighting Foam Contains Toxic Forever Chemicals Firefighting foam contains numerous toxic chemicals known as “forever chemicals.” These chemicals do not break down quickly and stay around for a long time. They are linked to a variety of chronic and disabling illnesses and conditions, especially cancers.
How do you use fire fighting foam?
The foam is applied first onto a vertical surface (wall, tank…). The foam then spreads carefully above the burning liquid surface. The foam blanket formed will avoid fuel agitation and foam contamination by the fuel. Fire departments mostly use gentle application during their operations.
What is chemical foam?
Chemical foam is a stable solution of small bubbles containing carbon dioxide with lower density than oil or water, and exhibits persistence for covering flat surfaces.
Can you use foam on an electrical fire?
Foam extinguishers are also safe for use on flammable liquid fires. They CANNOT be used on electrical fires or flammable metal fires as this extinguisher could end up exacerbating the fire. Foam extinguishers are ideal for premises which have multiple fire risks including offices, factories, warehouses and hotels.
What are the health effects of PFAS?
A growing body of science has found that there are potential adverse health impacts associated with PFAS exposure, including liver damage, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, high cholesterol, obesity, hormone suppression and cancer. These chemicals can easily migrate into the air, dust, food, soil and water.
How is fire fighting foam calculated?
The formula for calculating the needed foam concentrate at a flammable liquid release is as follows: Area X Critical Application Rate (CAR) X Eduction Rate (ER) X 15 = Foam Concentrate Needed.
Which foam is used for ethanol fire?
Ethanol fuel is miscible with water, it has hydrophilic properties. When applied, a traditional AFFF or standard Fluorine-free foam, the foam blanket will be destroyed by the solvent. That is why we use specific firefighting foams: class B Alcohol-Resistant (AR) foams , which can be AFFF-AR or Fluorine Free Foam-AR.
Is fire fighting foam hazardous?
When should you fight a fire with a foam extinguisher?
Foam fire extinguishers smother a fire using a thick foam solution therefore removing the element of oxygen and extinguishing the fire. The blanket of foam also contains traces of water which provides a cooling effect and reduces the risk of the fire reigniting.
Why do fire fighters use foam?
Foam fire suppression systems were originally designed to fight large oil fires. Today, they are still an effective means of fighting fires that deal with hazardous and flammable liquids like those used in refineries and manufacturing facilities.
What gas is used in fire fighting foam?
Common tank farm configurations.
Why do firefighters put out fires with foam?
Foam works on all three sides of the Fire Triangle to suppress the fire. The blanket of foam will suffocate the fire from the oxygen. The foam blanket will also prevent the release of flammable vapors from the fuel. It separates the flames and heat from the fuel source. And it will cool the fuel itself.
What type of foam to fight toxic fire?
PFAS also include two other compounds, Perfluorooctane acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) that have been identified in firefighting aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). This specific type of firefighting foam is widely used across the US and has been shown to have links to cancer in those who are exposed to it.