1. FIREGROUND OPS FOAM Fire Department
Disclaimer:  The content in this slide show has not been reviewed by the Department of Labor and Industries for accuracy and has been provided as “sample” curriculum only.   Each Authority Having Jurisdiction must design, take authority of, and responsibility for, the actual training done by the Department.  Local SOPs/SOGs, State regulations, and Federal laws may impact the material suggested.   The Department of Labor and Industries and Washington State Fire Chiefs Association takes no responsibility for the outcomes or use of these training samples.

2. Standards NFPA 11: Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion Foam
NFPA 1145: Guide for the use of Class A FOAMS in Manual Structural Fire Fighting
NFPA (FF2 ) “Extinguish an ignitible liquid fire…given…a foam proportioning device, a noble, foam concentrates and a water supply…

3. SOPs
Our Department SOP for foam use is:

4. Foam puts out some fires faster.
Why We Care
Foam puts out some fires faster.

5. Learning Objectives Properties of foam Types of delivery systems
Safety reminders when using firefighting foam.

6. Foam Basics
Fire fighting foam works by covering the surface of burning fuels, liquid or solid. It forms a blanket of foam that extinguishes and/or prevents ignition in the following ways:
Separates - it creates a barrier between the fuel and the fire
Cools - it lowers the temperature of the fuel and the surrounding surfaces. This happens because the water in the foam is slowly released as the foam breaks down.
Smothers - it prevents air from reaching the fuel and mixing with the vapors. It also prevents the release of flammable vapors which reduces the possibility of ignition or reignition.
Penetrates - it lowers the surface tension of water and allows it to penetrate fires in Class A materials.

7. Types of Foam
Class A Foam - specially designed for ordinary combustibles. It is a hydrocarbon-based surfactant that reduces the surface tension of water in the foam solution that allows better water penetration and effectiveness.
Class B Foam - is used to extinguish or prevent the ignition of flammable or combustible liquid fires. It also suppresses the vapors from unignited fuels. It is effective on Hydrocarbon fuels (petroleum- based combustible or flammable liquids that float on water) and Polar solvents (flammable liquids that mix easily with water)
Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) - a synthetic foam concentrate that can form a complete vapor barrier over fuel spills and fires when mixed with water. It is highly effective on hydrocarbon fuels.

8. Equipment
Besides a pump to supply water and a hose to deliver it, you need two other pieces of equipment. A foam proportioner and a foam delivery device. These must be compatible to produce usable foam.

9. Proportioners
Proportioners simply add the desired amount of foam concentrate into the water. There are three types.
Portable - In-line and foam nozzle eductors
Apparatus-mounted - Mounted on structural, industrial, wildland, aircraft rescue (ARFF) and fire boats
Compressed Air Foam Systems (CAFS) - Mounted on many types of apparatus and unlike other systems the hoseline contains the finished foam. This system requires additional training.

10. Delivery Devices
Also called Foam Makers, foam delivery devices are nozzles and generating systems. Many types can be used including a standard fire stream nozzle.

11. Safety Tips Carry the SDS sheets. Always wear all your PPE.
Do NOT use dilution to clean up a spill.
Watch you footing.
Handle lines and nozzles with care.
Firefighter Nation
By Keith Klassen
Published Monday, February 1, 2010 | From the February 2010 Issue of FireRescue
Safety should be a primary concern during all fire service operations, including those that involve Class A foam. In this article, I’ll review some specific safety items to consider during these operations, which are common on the rural fire scene.
Check Your MSDS When your department purchases foam concentrate, it comes with a copy of the product’s Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). You should familiarize yourself with this sheet so you know what to do if someone is exposed to the concentrate. It’s also a good idea to carry a copy of the MSDS in the clipboard of the apparatus so it’s readily available in case of an exposure or if questions arise. Finally, it’s important to have the sheet available if you’re managing a mixing area that provides foam solution for air operations.
PPE Use Wear all your PPE throughout any incident involving foam. This is particularly important for respiratory protection during structure fires. The proper use of compressed air foam (CAF) in interior structure attacks will drop the temperatures rapidly. The carbon-loving properties of Class A foam will also pull much of the carbon particulate matter out of the smoke. This will turn the smoke white, making interior visibility better—more like a foggy day. However, the temperature drop and improved visibility do not mean that it’s safe to remove your SCBA. You must use a gas meter to ensure safe levels prior to mask removal.
Compressed air foam systems (CAFS) have more moving parts and, consequently, create more noise than a standard fire pump. Auxiliary-powered systems are particularly noisy due to the additional engine noise. When operating CAFS, use the proper hearing protection. Panel-connected headsets will protect your hearing while allowing for communications.
Another solution is an interface to connect the headset to a mobile radio. This allows the operator to move around the area without being tethered to the pump panel. This is particularly useful when there’s minimal manpower on scene and the operator needs to perform other functions.
Class A Concentrates Further, when working with Class A concentrates, keep in mind that you’re using a very concentrated synthetic detergent. Finished foam bubbles contain small amounts of concentrate—1 percent or less—and will be minimally irritating to the eyes and skin. When working with the concentrate, however, you must take additional care against exposure. Use eye protection when handling concentrate. Splashing concentrate in your eyes will be painful and may take you out of action at an incident. Like any soap, the concentrate will also cause dry, chapped skin. Thus, wear gloves to limit skin exposure. As a side note, Class A foam will also dry out leather products, so gloves may become hard and unusable in a shorter period of time. Leather boots must be cared for regularly per the manufacturer’s instructions to provide the longest life possible.
When the concentrate is spilled, dilution is not the solution. Opening a hoseline on a concentrate spill will result in a mountain of bubbles. Instead, apply an absorbent and soak up as much as possible and then rinse away the remainder.
It’s inevitable that foam bubbles will land on the apparatus paint. This is typically not an issue and can be handled by normal vehicle washes. However, if the concentrate is spilled on the apparatus paint, clean it off immediately to prevent it from getting under the paint and breaking it free from the surface, much the same way brake fluid would.
Steady on Your Feet Slip, trip and fall hazards are a big concern on the fireground—and foam on the fireground certainly doesn’t help. The higher the expansion, the more volume of foam is created and the more hazards can be hidden. In most structural applications, there won’t be large volumes of foam, but the foam can still hide hazards, such as weak spots in the floor. Because it’s soap, foam concentrate is also slippery, so watch your footing when working in the foam.
CAFS-Specific There are also some safety concerns specific to CAFS. The first is nozzle reaction. Because the energy is packed into the hose, there’s a strong nozzle reaction when the ball valve is first opened. Firefighters must be experienced with the line to know what to expect. When the nozzle is opened and the energy is released, the line will flex and bend much easier, as the line is full of bubbles, not liquid. Thus, proper nozzle technique is important. Use a ball valve with a pistol grip, and hold it close to the body for better control.
Second, any line charged with CAF is a storage tank full of energy. The larger the hose or the longer the line, the more energy it can hold. With that in mind, don’t open the line without controlling the nozzle. Be aware that even with the CAFS shut off, there may be enough energy in the line for it to flow for 15–20 seconds.
And lastly, air and water alone do not mix. The foam concentrate is required to form bubbles. If there’s insufficient concentrate in the mix, the line will be filled with alternating chunks of air and water. This condition, known as slug flow, can cause the line to bounce and jump, making the nozzle hard to control. If this condition occurs, the fastest way to stop it is to turn off the air to the discharge. This will leave only water in the line. When the concentrate is again being added in the proper amount, the air can be turned back on.
In Sum Class A and CAF are great tools that make our lives easier on the fireground. Attention to a few simple details will help provide for a safe foam evolution.

12. Our Equipment List Apparatus that carries foam
List Delivery System used
List Types of foam used
List Tools used

13. Additional Training
Manufacturer Specific Training Required to use Compressed Air Foam Systems (CAFS)
IFSTA Chapter 16 Fire Streams and Skill Sheets
WSP Skill Sheets FF1/FF2

14. Basic Foam Operations YouTube Video
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15. Steps to Complete
Evolution scheduled:
Test:
Skill Sheets: