Section IV Foam Application and Operations Foam Firefighting Section IV Foam Application and Operations Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Colleton County Fire-Rescue Objectives Discuss the principals and considerations for fighting Class A fires. Dispel myths surrounding Class A foam Discuss Class A Foam for structural fire attack. Discuss the effectiveness of Class A foam for exposure protection. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Colleton County Fire-Rescue Objectives Discuss Class A foam’s benefits during overhaul. Define the principals of Class B fire attack. Discuss the techniques of Class B foam application. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Colleton County Fire-Rescue Objectives Discuss considerations for after foam is applied Discuss the strategies for exposure protection for Class B fire incidents. Discuss water supply considerations. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Principals and Considerations for Fighting Class A Fires Class A foam is biodegradable when used in small ratios of .01-1.0%. Considerations should still be made to keep runoff out of sewers lakes and streams. Use proper PPE when handling concentrates. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Principals and Considerations for Fighting Class A Fires Clean PPE thoroughly if it has been soaked in concentrates. Have backup lines in operation when high energy foam systems are in use. Foam proportioning ratios can be tailored to suit the job. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Class A Foam Common Myth Some people have promoted the theory that 200 of a foam solution aspirated to a 10:1 expansion ration actually gives you the fire protection capability of 2,000 gallons of water. False Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Class A Foam Myth Dispelled Class A foam only makes water more efficient at soaking into the fuel and absorbing heat. Less water is required to extinguish a fire than if plain water is used. It does not create more water!!! Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Class A Foam Common Myth Foam lines may be flowed at lower application rates or from smaller hose lines than those of plain water. False Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Class A Foam Myth Dispelled There is no reputable scientific data to prove this point. Shorter discharge times results in less water being used. It is recommended that foam solution flow rates and hose sizes be the same as the generally accepted flow rates and hose sizes for plain water. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Class A Foam and Structural Fire Attack Most effective on interior fire attacks. Must be applied directly to the burning material to be most effective. Helps maintain visibility due to less steam conversion. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Class A Foam and Structural Fire Attack When using Class A foam for an interior attack use with either a direct or combination attack. Reduces time a fire stream needs to be applied. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Class A Foam and Structural Fire Attack Fog nozzles should be used on low energy foam lines. Fog or smoothbore nozzles may be used with CAFS systems. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Class A Foam and Structural Fire Attack CAFS fire streams are well suited for exterior fire attacks. The extended reach assures that the foam is being delivered deep into the structure. The fire can be knocked down quickly from a window or a doorway. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Class A Foam and exposure Protection Excellent for protecting exposures. Insulating properties protect unburned areas. Type 2 or Type 3 foam is recommended Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Class A Foam Overhaul Operations Class A foam exhibits some of it’s greatest benefits during overhaul operations. Applied in the same fashion as water with standard nozzles and techniques. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Class A Foam Overhaul Operations Drastically reduces the amount of water used. Limited runoff Less water damage Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Class A Foam Overhaul Operations Thermal blocking occurs when concealed hot spots contain enough heat to turn small amounts of penetrating water into steam. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Class A Foam Overhaul Operations The use of foam helps defeat the phenomenon of thermal blocking by enabling more water to penetrate deeper and speed the cooling process. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Principals of Class B Fire Attack. Size of the fire Type of fuel Required application rate Amount of foam concentrate needed and available Ability to deliver and sustain the required foam rate Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Colleton County Fire-Rescue Size of the Fire Almost always involve the entire surface of an exposed fuel. May remain that size throughout the duration of the incident. Coincidently the size of the fire is fairly constant throughout the incident. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Colleton County Fire-Rescue Size of the Fire Determining the size of the fire in a circular enclosure in square feet. Area = 3.14 X Radius² Determining the size of the fire in a square or rectangular enclosure in square feet. Area = Length X Width Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Size of the Fire If the Fire Involves a Spill Area Determine the maximum length and width of the spill and multiply by those numbers Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Colleton County Fire-Rescue Type of Fuel Hydrocarbon Polar Solvent Toxic or Non Toxic Water Reactive Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Application Rate Sq ft (X) 0.1 for Hydrocarbons = Application Rate in GPM Sq ft (X) 0.2 for Polar Solvents = Application Rate in GPM Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Amount of Foam Concentrate Application Rate (In GPM) X Discharge time (15 min) Proportioning Rate (.03 or .06) = Concentrate Required Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Ability to Deliver and Sustain the Required Foam Rate Have enough foam on hand Have enough water GPM (X) 15 min (–) Concentrate Required = Water Required Have the proper equipment to flow the required application rate. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Techniques of Class B Foam Application. Air Aspirated Foam Non Air Aspirated Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Colleton County Fire-Rescue Air Aspirated Foam Advantages Foam is longer lasting. Longer drainage time. Highest quality. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Colleton County Fire-Rescue Air Aspirated Foam Disadvantages Short Reach Affected by wind conditions Nozzles can be bulky and may be single purpose. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Colleton County Fire-Rescue Non Air Aspirated Foam Advantages Can be applied through any standard fog nozzle. Greater reach and penetrating power Faster knockdown in lab tests. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Colleton County Fire-Rescue Non Air Aspirated Foam Disadvantages Will not form as thick of a blanket. Requires more frequent re-application. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Manual Application Techniques Roll On Method (roll foam onto leading edge of spill or fire and roll foam toward the back). Bank Down Method (hit an elevated object above the spill or fire). Rain Down Method (foam is sprayed above and is rained down on spill or fire). Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Colleton County Fire-Rescue Exposure Protection Not different from structural fire exposure protection. Judgmental decision based on the situation. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Colleton County Fire-Rescue After Foam is Applied Protect your foam blanket at all costs. Insure that no smoking or other sources of ignition around the blanket. Insure that blanket is not broken, walked or driven through. Insure that your hoses are not part of the spill. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Situations to Consider Exposure Protection A large fire that cannot be immediately extinguished. Employing a nonintervention strategy. Extremely sensitive structures. (fuel tanks, etc) Structures in the vicinity showing the effects of exposure to the fire. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Factors That Determine the Danger of an Exposure Amount and intensity of the original fire. Proximity of the exposure to the fire. Wind and weather conditions. Composition of the exterior of the exposure. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Water Supply Considerations Foam operations usually require significant amounts of water. Have the required water available before beginning foam operations. Rule of thumb is 1 gallon per min for every 10 sq ft. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Water Supply Considerations Questions to ask What is my water requirements? What is my water supply available? Does access to the scene inhibit my ability to deliver the required flow? Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Colleton County Fire-Rescue Summary Principals and considerations for fighting Class A and Class B fires vary. There are may myths myths surrounding Class A foam Class A Foam is an effective tactic for structural fire attack, exposure protection and overhaul. Techniques of Class B foam application vary with the prescribed application and take in account many considerations . Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Colleton County Fire-Rescue Summary What are the considerations after Class B foam is applied? Exposure protection for Class B fire incidents are integral to an effective incident management strategy. Water supply considerations for Class B Foam operations. Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Colleton County Fire-Rescue Questions??? Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division

Colleton County Fire-Rescue Acknowledgements IFSTA Principals of Foam Firefighting 1st Edition, 1996 Dominic Colletti, Class A Foam-Best Practice for Structural Firefighters, 1998 Various Web Sources Task Force Tips Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Operations Chief David A Greene Colleton County Fire-Rescue Training Division