Types of Foam Agents"Click" on one of
the following to get more inforamtion on a specific type of foam agent
Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF)
Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF) are based
on combinations of fluorochemical surfactants, hydrocarbon surfactants and
solvents. These agents require a very low energy input to produce a high
quality foam. Consequently, they can be applied through a wide variety of foam
delivery systems. This versatility makes AFFF agents an obvious choice of municipal
fire departments, airports, refineries, manufacturing plants and any other operation
involving the transportation, processing and handling of flammable liquids and materials.
Alcohol-Resistant AFFF Concentrate
Alcohol-Resistant AFFF Concentrate is based
on AFFF concentrates to which a polymer has been added to make them effective on fires
involving polar solvents (methanol) as well as hydrocarbon-type fuels (gasoline).
Thus, alcohol-resistant concentrates are the most versatile of the foam agents.
The alcohol-resistant concentrate forms a
polymeric membrane when used on a polar solvent type fuels which prevents destruction of
the foam blanket. When used on hydrocarbon fuels, the alcohol-resistant
concentrate produces the same rugged aqueous film as a standard AFFF agent. The
alcohol-resistant concentrate provides fast flame knockdwon and good burnback resistance
when used on both types of fuels.
Protein Foams
Protein Foams are recommended for
extinguishment of Class B fires involving hydrocarbons. Typically, these agents are
used to protect flammable and combustible liquids where they are stored, transported and
processed.
Protein foams are based on hydrolized
protein, stabilizers and preservatives. They produce a highly stabilized mechanical
foam with good expansion properties and good re-ignition (burnback) resistance
characteristics.
Fluoroprotein Foam Concentrates
Fluoroprotein Foam Concentrates are based
on hydrolized protein, stabilizers, preservatives and synthetic fluorocarbon
surfactants. In applications involving hydrocarbon bulk storage and handling - such
as refineries and petrochemical operations - these agents offer several advantages over
protein foams.
They provide better control and
extinguishing ability, greater fluidity and superior resistance to foam
contamination. Fluoroprotein foams are useful for hydrocarbon vapor suppression and
extinguishment of fuel-in-depth fires.
Fluoroprotein foams, along with AFFF and
Alcohol-Resistant AFFF, are also recognized as very effective agents for sub-surface
application to hydrocarbon fuel storage tanks.
High Expansion Foams
High Expansion Foams are based on combinations of
hydrocarbon surfactants and solvents and are used in foam generators - both stationary and
portable - for applying foam to large areas in a total flooding or 3-dimensional
application such as warehouses, ship cargo holds and mine shafts.
They are especially useful on fuels such as
liquefied natural gas (cryogenic fuels) for vapor dispersion and control. In certain
concentrations, high expansion foams are effective extinguishing agents for flammable
liquid spill fires of most types in confined areas.
Class A Foams
Class A Foams are typically formulated from
a combination of specialty hydrocarbon surfactants, stabilizers, inhibitors, and
solvents. They reduce the surface tension of water for improved wetting and
penetrating characteristics and create a clinging foam blanket that suppresses combustible
vapors while cooling the fuel.
Class A foams can be applied using a
variety of proportioning/discharge devices and have proven effective in fighting forest
fires and many deep-seated fires such as tires, paper, coal bunkers, wooden structures,
etc.
Foam Hardware
  
- Proportioning Equipment
- Discharge Devices
Applications
- Storage Tank Protection
- Aircraft Hangar Protection
- Truck Loading Rack Protection
- Heliport Protection
- Spill Protection
- High Expansion Foam Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
A Comparison
of Foam Agents to
Emulsifying/Wetting Agents |
