How does class A foam work?

Class A foams use a formula that helps the water penetrate the burning material (fuel) by breaking down the surface tension of the water to make extinguishment quick and reduce the possibility of a rekindle.

What is a benefit of class A foam?

ADVANTAGES OF CLASS “A” FOAM

Cooling Ability: The increased surface area of the foam bubble over plain water droplets increases the ability to absorb heat dramatically. Vapor Suppression: The foam blanket effectively covers and coats burned or partially burned fuels thereby trapping escaping vapors.

What is a Class A foam?

There are two major types of firefighting foam, Class A and Class B. Class A foams are used to extinguish fires caused by wood, paper, and brush. Class A foams generally do not contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (also known as “PFAS”).

What is class A fire fighting foam?

Class A Foam is specially formulated to make water more effective for firefighting. The surfactants in Class A foam significantly reduce water's surface tension and, when mixed with air, create a superior foam blanket that surrounds fuels with a thick foam blanket.

How long does Class A foam last?

The Phoenix Fire Department has used nozzle-aspirated class A foam on a limited basis for four years, and compressed air foam systems for two years. The department uses class A foam for wildland firefighting, interface firefighting, and structural fire suppression.

Class A Foam

Can you mix Class A and Class B foam?

Class A and Class B foam should never be applied simultaneously or on top of one another. While mixing foams during foam application on scenes can render an operation ineffective, mixing foams in storage can cause the foam to degrade and become ineffective when used.

Is AFFF Class A or B?

Class B Foam (also called AFFF): Used to extinguish Class B materials, which include gasoline, oil, and jet fuel.

Can you use Class A foam on a Class B fire?

It's obvious that Class A foam is used to fight Class A fires, and that Class B foam snuffs out the Bs.

What are Class B foams used for?

Class B Foam Agents are the ideal fire suppression choice for hazards involving flammable and combustible liquids. A foam blanket is formed that works to prevent the release of fuel vapor and separates the fuel from the air it needs to burn. The water content of the foam provides a cooling effect.

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.

Which type of foam is best used on wildland fires?

Class A foams are designed specifically for fighting fires in class A fuels.

What is class B foam made of?

Class B foams can be protein foams or synthetic foams. Protein foams contain natural proteins and are generally biodegradable; synthetic foams are made of synthetic foaming agents.

What percentage is Class A foam mixed at?

Class "A" foam concentrates are generally mixed with water in ratios from 0.1% to 1.0%.

Is Class A foam a surfactant?

Class A foams are mainly made of synthetic surfactants. These surfactants are selected for their 2 main properties: Wetting property: surfactant lowers the surface tension of water which help water to penetrate faster into the solids.

Is Class A foam toxic?

Chemguard First Class is a non-corrosive, non-toxic, biodegradable Class A foam concentrate. When mixed with water in the correct proportion, it changes the properties of water.

Is firefighter water wetter?

TIL firefighters sometimes use "wetting agents" to make water wetter. So, you can make water wetter!

How does wetting help fight wildfires?

Plain water vs.

Fire Cap Plus is a wetting agent that lowers the surface tension of water. When a mixture of water and Fire Cap Plus is applied to these "hard to penetrate" fuel sources, the mixture is quickly absorbed, helping to reach the seat of the fire faster.

What is the difference between AFFF 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.

What type of fire is Class A?

There are four classes of fires: Class A: Ordinary solid combustibles such as paper, wood, cloth and some plastics. Class B: Flammable liquids such as alcohol, ether, oil, gasoline and grease, which are best extinguished by smothering.

How do the surfactants in Class A foam help extinguish fires?

How do the surfactants in Class A foam help extinguish fires? reduce the surface tension of water in the foam solution, allowing better water penetration into the fuel.

Do Class A foams contain PFAS?

Class A foams do not contain PFAS and are safe to use for their intended purpose. They are covered under NFPA 1150 (Standard on Foam Chemicals for Fires in Class A Fuels).

Can you mix Class A foams?

“Different types of foam concentrates shall not be mixed for storage.” (Para. 4.4. 1.1) “Different brands of the same type of concentrate shall not be mixed unless data are provided by the manufacturer ... to prove that they are compatible.” (Para.

Can Class A foam be used on polar solvents?

Polar solvent/alcohol liquids destroy any foam blanket that has been generated using standard AFFF or fluoroprotein type concentrates.

How many types of fire foam are there?

This standard amalgamates first three parts, namely, Part 1 Protein foam concentrate, Part 2 Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) and Part 3 Fluoro-protein foam. The purpose of all the three types is same, that is, for use in Fire Extinguishing agent for Class 'A' and 'B' flammable liquid (Hydrocarbons) fires.