Aqueous Film Forming Foam

 

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) is a fire suppressant that can quickly and effectively put out flammable liquid fires. It is a commonly used chemical for use in fire fighting vehicles and ships. It has also been widely used for training purposes and in emergency response situations. AFFF is purchased in concentrate form and is classified as Type 3, Type 5, or Type 6. Although this material is widely used, it is still subject to debate regarding its safety and efficacy.

There are many different types of AFFF, but some of the most common are: hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon-based. Hydrocarbon surfactants tend to produce a low-energy interface with the fuel surface, while fluorocarbons are designed to minimize the energy of the upper surface of the film. In either case, the water/surfactant layer will not coat the fuel. However, in some cases, an Aqueous film-forming foam formulation can exhibit a positive spreading coefficient. The spread in these cases can be attributed to non-equilibrium surface tension effects in the aqueous layer.

Despite the high environmental concern over AFFF, there is no reason to abandon its use. This substance is effective in extinguishing flammable liquid fires, with no known harmful consequences for humans and the environment. Yet, despite its effectiveness and widespread use, it should be used with caution. For example, it is not safe for marine environments, and its widespread use in the military, aviation, and industrial sectors should be avoided.

Besides being an effective firefighting agent, AFFF can also be environmentally friendly. In fact, aqueous film-forming foam is also more efficient than Halon 1301. It has a longer lifetime than Halon, so it should be kept out of the environment. In addition to its benefits, AFFF poses fewer environmental concerns than Halon 1301. For this reason, AFFF should remain an important component in firefighting operations.

Aqueous film-forming foam is an effective firefighting agent. It has been widely used for over 50 years to extinguish flammable liquid fires. It is a highly effective firefighting agent due to its unique surfactant properties. Despite the environmental concerns, it is not a suitable solution for many applications. Its widespread use, however, requires greater regulation. Aqueous film-forming foam is a safer alternative to halon.

AFFF is a type of foam that is commonly used in firefighting. It contains ethanol, a glycol ether that meets the definition of hazardous substances in CERCLA 101(14). It is a type of air pollution under 112(b) of the Clean Air Act. The 1990 Clean Air Amendments added 47 new categories of hazardous pollutants and one pound of reporting requirements for the chemicals in each category.