Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) fire-fighting foams have been in use since the early 1960s to extinguish Class B hydrocarbons or ignitable liquid fires. These hazards are typically found at industrial sites such as oil refineries, chemical plants, aircraft hangars, and warehouses containing flammable liquids. While AFFF proved to have excellent firefighting properties, the product’s key ingredients contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). PFAS are widely used chemicals found in products since the 1940s; however, in recent years, they have been found to be environmentally unfriendly. PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” as they do not break down and remain in the environment for hundreds, or even thousands, of years, contaminating water supplies and eventually making their way into the human body, potentially causing a variety of health issues.

In recent years, the EPA and other worldwide agencies passed regulations restricting, or even banning, the use, sale, and manufacture of PFAS-containing products. This pushed the industry to develop new Synthetic Fluorine-Free Foams (SFFF), which are formulated to be environmentally friendly and provide effective fire suppression without PFAS-containing products.

AFFF Replacement Design Considerations

Replacing AFFF with SFFF is typically not a one-for-one replacement. Due to the different properties of the foams, each foam concentrate must undergo fire testing for listing with system proportioning components and discharge devices. This fire testing will determine the design application rates for various hazards with individual discharge devices (sprinklers, nozzles, etc.). Many times, the design application rates differ from what was required with AFFF, which can impact existing system pipe sizing, foam tank sizing, etc.

A system design analysis would need to be performed, which includes verification of the hazard, storage arrangement, existing piping configuration, discharge devices, etc. As part of the design analysis, current water supply information will be evaluated along with performing hydraulic calculations to verify current system pipe sizing needs.

Other Considerations

Any existing system components that have been in contact with AFFF foam concentrate need to be removed and disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner due to trace PFAS contaminants. This typically includes the AFFF foam concentrate itself, foam tanks, proportioners, as well as concentrate piping and associated valves.

Additionally, corporate and/or state and local environmental regulations could require a flushing program for any existing system piping or a full piping system replacement.

Why Oliver Fire Protection & Security?

The team at Oliver Fire Protection & Security has the experience and expertise to perform a design analysis and assist with your AFFF replacement as well as all forms of fire suppression, alarm, and security.