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 . When mixed in the correct proportions, these three ingredients form a homogeneous foam blanket.
Is fire suppression foam toxic?
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.
What chemicals are in fire fighting foam?
Aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) are water-based and frequently contain hydrocarbon-based surfactant such as sodium alkyl sulfate, and fluorosurfactant, such as fluorotelomers, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) , or perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).
What is inside foam fire extinguisher?
3. Foam Extinguisher – Chemical and Mechanical. Chemical foam extinguisher – The chemicals used in this foam type fire extinguisher are sodium bicarbonate and aluminium sulphate . The main container is filled with sodium bicarbonate, whereas the inner container is filled with aluminium sulphate.
What do foam extinguishers contain?
Foam fire extinguishers work in 2 ways. Firstly, they are mainly water-based and so have the same cooling effect as water extinguishers, putting the fire out by lowering the temperature. Secondly, they contain ‘Aqueous Film Forming Foam’ (this is why they are also known as AFFF foam extinguishers).
Is AFFF a carcinogen?
PFAS in AFFF are toxic and carcinogenic to animals and potentially to humans as well, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
What does AFFF foam stand for?
Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF, or alcohol resistant AR-AFFF) is a highly effective foam used for fighting high-hazard flammable liquid fires. AFFF is usually created by combining foaming agents with fluorinated surfactants.
What is the difference between AFFF and AR-AFFF?
OFAFFF AND AR-AFFF
AFFF and AR-AFFF consist of essentially the same ingredients . These typically include fluorosurfactants, hydrocarbon surfactants, solvents, inorganic salts, corrosion inhibitors, water; and in the case of AR- AFFF, a polymer which is typically a polysaccharide.
Is firefighting foam still used?
The foams, dubbed aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), were a boon to firefighters. ... AFFF is still in use today . Flash forward to 2020, and we now know that the same chemicals that give these firefighting foams their unique properties have become a major global source of drinking water contamination.
Why do firefighters use foam instead of water?
Class A foams are used to lessen the surface tension of water , which improves the wetting and saturation of water used to fight Class A fires, which are fueled by ordinary combustibles.
When should you not use a foam fire extinguisher?
Use: Effective against both Class A and Class B fires, foam extinguishers can protect environments that are at risk from material fires, involving solids such as paper and wood, and also from fires involving flammable liquids. Dangers: Do not use on domestic chip or fat pan fires .
Can I use a foam fire extinguisher on an electrical fire?
Foam extinguishers build up of foam on the surface of the burning liquid, cutting off the oxygen supply to the fire and cooling the hot liquid. Electrical fires: If your foam extinguisher is tested to 35000 Volt (35kV) you can use the extinguishers on live electrical fires .
What should you not use a foam fire extinguisher on?
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.
What are foam extinguishers for?
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.
What do you use foam extinguisher for?
Foam fire extinguishers are the most effective and safest extinguisher to use on fire involving flammable liquids (Class B) , and solid combustibles (Class A). Typically, these can be very dangerous fires which are the burning of liquids such as petrol, diesel, paints, oil, solvents, spirits, and a lot else besides.
How many types of foam extinguishers are there?
There are four principal types of portable fire extinguisher usually found on board ship.
