Foam Firefighting
Section IV
Foam Application and
Operations
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division
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
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
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
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
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
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)
X
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
Air Aspirated Foam
Advantages
• Foam is longer lasting.
• Longer drainage time.
• Highest quality.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division
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
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
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
Exposure Protection
• Not different from structural fire exposure
protection.
• Judgmental decision based on the
situation.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division
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
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
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
Questions???
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division
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