Foam Terminology

 Foam Concentrate
 Solution in concentrated state
 Foam Solution
 Concentrate mixed with water
 Foam
 Foam solution aerated by being forced
through foam making equipment
Making a Foam Solution
Expansion Ratio
 NFPA 11
Foam
Extinguishing
Systems NFPA Standard 11
#### Low Expansion
Up to 20:1
Medium Expansion
20:1 to 200:1
High Expansion
200:1 to 1000:1
Foam Application Rates
How Mechanical Foam Works
Foam Concentrates

Chemical Foams Mechanical Foams

 Protein

!  Fluoroprotein
E D
AT  AFFF
T -D  Polar Solvent AFFF
OU  Multi-Expansion
 Class “A”
Foam Development
Chemical
1915 - 1933

Protein
1940 - 1955

Fluoroprotein
1965 - 1966

Synthetic (AFFF)
1963 - Present
Chemical Foam: 1915 – 1933

1915 1933
Not Alcohol Resistant Alcohol Resistant
Chemical Foam
Protein Foam: 1940 - 1955

1940 1952
6% Not Alcohol Resistant Alcohol Resistant

1945 1955
3% Not Alcohol Resistant Cold Foam
Protein Foam
Protein Foam Concentrate
Protein Foam Concentrate
Fluoroprotein Foam: 1965 - 1966

1965 1966
6% Concentrate Cold Foam

1965
3% Concentrate
Fluoroprotein Foam
Fluoroprotein Foam Concentrate
Fluoroprotein Foam Concentrate
Protein-Based Foam Concentrate

Minimum Shelf Life

Protein & Fluoroprotein
7 to 10 Years
Synthetic Foam: 1963 - Present

1963 1986
6% Concentrate .3 - .6% Concentrate
(Silv-ex)

1972 1988
3% Concentrate 3x6 Concentrate

1973 1989
Alcohol Resistant 3x3 Concentrate

1979
1% Concentrate
Aqueous Film Forming Foam
(AFFF) Concentrates
Aqueous Film Forming Foam
(AFFF) Concentrates
AFFF Concentrates
AFFF Concentrates
Standard Foam Polar Solvent Foam

Water Miscible Fuel

(Alcohol, Esters, Ketones, etc.)
Polar Solvent Concentrate
Polar Solvent Concentrate
Multiple-Expansion
Foam Concentrate
Multiple-Expansion
Foam Concentrate
Multiple-Expansion
Foam Concentrate
Multiple-Expansion
Foam Concentrate
Multiple-Expansion
Foam Concentrate
Multiple-Expansion
Foam Concentrate
Class ‘A’
Foam Concentrate
Class ‘A’
Foam Concentrate
Class ‘A’
Foam Concentrate
Class “A” Foam
 Reduces surface tension of
water
 Reflects heat (white bubbles)
 Insulator between fuel and
oxygen
 Clings to surface acting as a
slow drain foam
How Class “A” Foam Works
Class “A” Foam
Class “A” Foams

 Mine Fires
 Refuse Fires
 Tire Fires
 Structural Fires
Class “A” Foam
Class “A” Foam
Class “A” Foam
Synthetic Foams

Minimum Shelf Life

AFFF, Class “A”, Polar Solvent
& Multiple-Expansion
20 to 25 Years