FOAMING AGENTS

OBJECTIVE Learning Outcome 13 Assessment Criteria Describe Foam.

13.1 State the classification of foams. 13.2 State the main ingredients of foams. 13.3 State physical properties and compatibility. 13.4 State foam specification. 13.5 Describe foam.

REFERENCES 1. ICAO Airport Services Manual, Part 1 Rescue and Fighting Third Edition 1990 (Chapter 8) NFPA 412

2.

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FOAMING AGENTS

INTRODUCTION Chemical Foam (Aluminum Sulphate + Sodium Bicarbonate) was first developed in the 1920s, mainly for use in military installations. The limitation in the practical use of chemical foam soon led to the development of a mechanical foam in the 1930s. Mechanical Foam - Mainly hydrolyzed protein was found to be very versatile in that it could be carried in appliance/containers and be rapidly transported to the site of a fire, it could also be discharged to distances constrained only by the capability of the fire. It could also be discharged to distances constrained only by the capability of the fire pump. In the mid 1960s, out of a need in the US Navy, an entirely synthetic agent called AQUEOUS FILM FORMING FOAM was introduced. Thereafter, other experiments led to the manufacture of FLUORO-PROTEIN FOAM in the early 1970s. In 1983, the ICAO accepted FLUORO-PROTEIN as equivalent to AFFF when granting the stipulated 1/3 remission on the quantity of water to be carried.

CLASSIFICATION OF FOAMS Foams may be classified in two ways which are conveniently related to their use: a. According to their expansion, e.g. Low expansion Foam (LX) Medium Expansion Foam (MX) High Expansion Foam (HX) b. for expansion up to 50:1 for expansion up to 500:1 for expansion up to 1500:1

According to their principal ingredients, e.g. Protein Foam (PF) FLUORO-PROTEIN Foam (FPF) Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)

ICAO FOAM CLASSIFICATION For the purpose of aviation firefighting, the ICAO has recommended that foams be classified as follows: a. A foam meeting Performance Level A. e.g. protein foam, and FLUORO-PROTEIN A foam meeting Performance Level B. e.g. Film Forming FLUORO-PROTEIN foam, and AFFF.

b.

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MAIN INGREDIENTS OF FOAMS 1. PROTEIN FOAM CONCENGTRATE A solution of hydrolyzed proteins, antibacterial agents, antioxidants, anti-corrosives, foam stabilizers heat resistant agents, etc. 2. FLUORO-PROTEIN FOAM CONCENTRATE A solution of protein foam concentrate containing perfluorinated surfactants. 3. AQUEOUS FILM FORMING FOAM (AFFF) A solution of several surfactants with perfluorinated groups. 4. HIGH EXPANSION FOAM A solution of synthetic detergents with perfluorinated surfactants, generally used at 1% to 3%. 5. ALCOHOL-RESISTANT FOAM Usually protein foams with additives to stabilize the bubbles in the presence of water miscible polar solvents. 6. FILM FORMING FLUORO-PROTEIN FOAM (FFFF) As the name implies it is a combination of FFF with good resistance against burn back, and with synthetic additives which are rapid flowing and capable of film forming. There is certainly great potential in the further development of this new product. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES When foam is produced, the following factors bear great influence on the quality of the bubbles: a. Concentration Foam concentration is determined by the foam Induction System which may be manually adjusted, or adjusted automatically on demand. This may be verified by the conventional dip-stick method or by the use of refract meter and a graph. b. Expansion Ratio This is calculated by collecting and weighing a sample of foam. The weight of this sample is then compared to the weight of an equal volume of water. c. 25% Drainage time Drainage Time is determined by collecting a sample of foam in a container of known volume, and measuring the time taken for a stated proportion of the solution to drain from it. (For medium and high expansion foams, 50% drainage times are taken). d. Shear Stress The stickiness or cohesion of foam bubbles is measured by a Tensional Vane Viscometer. e. BH Value The acidity of foam can be determined by means of an electrometric pH meter using a glass electrodes. f. Sludge Contents Sludging as it occurred in early protein foam a product has since been reduced to a very minimal level. For AFFF products at normal temperature, sludge content rarely exceeds 0.25% by contents by the use of a Centrifuge.

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COMPATIBILITY 1. Compatibility of liquid concentrate with in-service stock There shall be no adverse interaction, or degradation in performance when temporarily blended for operational use, up to a period of 24 hours. 2. Compatibility of liquid concentrate with Dry Chemical Powder When use together with dry chemical powder based on Potassium Bicarbonate and Potassium sulphate, the compatibility shall not be less than 76%. FOAM SOLUTION DISCHARGE RATES For effective aviation firefighting, the ICAO gas, through a series of tests, determined the foam solution discharge rates according to the category of each airport. The following minimum Application Rates are also specified: a. b. 8.2 1pm/m - for a foam meeting Performance Level A. 5.5 1pm/m - for a foam meeting Performance Level B.

FIREFIGHTING CHARACTERISTICS 1. Foams extinguish fire by a combination of effects: the principal effects, in probable order of importance are: a. Interception of the radiant heat from the flames. Protein based foams generally exhibit strong capability in this area, which may be interpreted as resistance against burn back. b. Cooling of the fuel surface. The fluidity of AFFF, which rapidly spreads over exposed fuel surface, is most likely to feature strongly this area, as well as the next effect. c. Mechanical sealing of the fuel surface preventing the escape of vapour.

d. Dilution of the oxygen concentration over the fire by steam from evaporating foam. e. Isolation of the fuel surface from the oxygen supply in the air.

2. Foams of an entirely difference character are also used. These are the high expansion foams which are produced by blowing air through a net onto which the water containing the foam liquid is sprayed. High expansion foam cannot be projected. It is delivered through trucking. It is not specifically used for flammable liquid fires, but is useful in inaccessible situations such as fires in ducts and basements, tunnels and sewers, and is also for the protection of stores.

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FOAM SPECIFICATIONS 1. Reference may be made to the many test procedures currently available and on which foam specifications may be drawn up. Listed below are a few of the test procedures: a. b. c. d. e. UK Defence Standards 42-21, 22 & 24. NFPA 412 ICAO Foam Specifications (ASM Part 1). Australian Laboratory Test (similar to UK DS). Australian CAAs Cyclic Fire Tests.

2. Foam Specifications should be prepared separately for different types of foams. Evaluation Tests based on local conditions are of obvious advantage to the AFRS as these tests would reveal the actual performance of the foams on local fire ground conditions. Chemical data provided by the manufacturers, though comprehensive, should not and cannot be correlated with extinction performance. 3. As many of the test equipment and facilities must be specially engineered and constructed, the high costs involved may deter many purchasers from conducting the evaluation tests. In such a case, certification of the qualification of a foam concentrate should be obtained from the manufacturer, based on the local operating conditions. CONCLUCION On completion of this lesson the students shall be able to describe Foaming Agents.

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SUMMARY 1. Key words which will help you to remember the salient points of this lesson: a. Classification of foams by expansion by ingredients ICAO recommendations b. Main constituents of Protein foam FLUORO-PROTEIN foam AFFF FFFP c. Concentration & Expansion Ratio How do you determine them? d. 25% Drainage Time What is the method used to check it? e. Foam Specifications Can you list three of the test procedures? f. Compatibility What is the % allowed? g. Discharge Rates? Application Rates? What are these rates? h. Extinguishing Effects Resistance against burn back? Surface sealing?

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